My name is Lateshya “Mickey” Ellis, and I am an 41 year old entrepreneur. I own Angel Academy which is an early childhood learning center in Brighton Heights. There are several adversities that I face not just as a business owner but as a mother and wife as well.
In business one of the biggest adversities I face is being limited in resources for children who deal with trauma. When I first started daycare it was very few children who had to deal with trauma. Today young children are witnessing murder, domestic violence, and drug abuse to name a few. Unfortunately, this is happening right in the home. It is very challenging for me to witness the distress these children face without having community resources available to them.
On another note being a mother wife and entrepreneur is very challenging. Having to miss my daughter’s performances, activities and seeing the sacrifice my daughters have to make because I’m an entrepreneur is one of the toughest things to face. My daughter’s and husband (who is also an entrepreneur) make sacrifices for me and for that I’m truly grateful, however it doesn't make it easier. What works for me is balance. There is no secret to balancing the two, however everyday I choose to plan, organize and most importantly I realize I can’t be perfect.
There are a lot more challenges I face such as demographics in Pittsburgh, choosing the right support group, etc. However I wouldn't change being a wife, mom and entrepreneur for anything in the world!
