Today we’d like to introduce you to Angelica Wheaton.
Hi Angelica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In my professional life as the CEO of Pacific Business Partners, www.pacificbp.com, I help businesses reach their full potential, in part by anticipating the hardships and concerns that keep many businesses from being successful. Business owners wear many hats, and that keeps many of them from taking the time to stop and reflect on where they are and where they want to go. When I became a mother, I found the same applied to motherhood, which led to the formation of Long Beach Moms, a community organization with curated resources to help mothers navigate motherhood while discovering Long Beach together.
When we have children, we focus much more on the day-to-day fires than we do on building the community we want for our children, finding resources to support each other, and creating the necessary support system needed to be the best moms we can. We are based in Long Beach and – like so many parts of Southern California – people tend to come from somewhere else. This often means there is little support or extended family nearby. That is certainly the case for my family and for many of our 3,000+ members. I saw a unique opportunity to create a space where mamas can come together to help each other out in whatever way is needed.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We have a really great group of mamas. I am so amazed at the level of engagement and genuine support they provide to one another on a daily basis. All social groups have challenges – respect being chief among them. Online it’s very easy to type things without thinking in a way you wouldn’t if you were talking with someone face to face, but that’s inherent to the platform. I think the greatest challenge for the group has been navigating the COVID-19 crisis along with social justice and equity, and working to ensure we are providing support and delivering solutions that can help all of our mamas.
COVID-19 and continuing social justice issues have stoked so much fear in all of us and upended our lives in a way we could not have imagined months ago. That uncertainty, and the stress of trying to keep all the parts of our lives– and in some cases careers – afloat, has created a lot of stress. I take seriously my responsibility to make sure we are delivering positive solutions and supporting each other – not just giving way to negative commentary or ideas that stoke anxiety.
It’s my nature to try and learn and grow from every experience. The COVID-19 crisis has spurred me to think ahead and prepare for some of the hard moments we will experience as a group in the future, including the racial injustice that persists in this country, and the upcoming election. It’s a very delicate balance because our group is intentionally not political, but these events have implications for motherhood, like how to educate your children about things like race and bullying. That’s important to discuss and share in our group.
We’ve been impressed with Pacific Business Partners & Long Beach Moms, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Pacific Business Partners is a woman-owned business consulting agency, helping business owners find more time to do what they love while we take care of the busy work and guide them to grow. Pacific Business Partners consults on all types of businesses and in all business matters, from business development to business operation to, branding and marketing as well as accounting services. We take a holistic approach to hone in on the best method to create a plan for measurable success.
With Long Beach Moms, I am really proud of the more than 3,000 vetted mamas that look to us as a trusted source for navigating motherhood in the Long Beach community. While this group was born from my desire for a local “village,” it has evolved into much more than I imagined. We’ve expanded our virtual connection to include meetups in the park, group outings, charity events, and countless other events to support each other as moms. It’s been thrilling to watch our community of supportive moms grow and help each other be the best versions of themselves possible. Our website www.lbmoms.com is for families who may not be on social media and for those who come to visit and play in our community. New resources are added weekly, and we have a calendar of events and crisis resources for families and teens.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The future is a digital world. Our worlds professionally have changed so much in the past months, both companies are now truly virtually based. The shift to the norm of not meeting up in real life is now a business standard, and with new apps, software, and expectations have explored our productivity levels with new styles of teamwork.
Virtual assistance and work from home is a future that allows for a positive change for families. Balancing our work and home life expectations with ease, while having more involvement with our families, this can lead to less stress for most.
The need for real life meet-ups and connections will always exist. For some, remote video connections work, and for others, the need to see and be physically present (with pandemic safe guidelines) will always be preferable.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected] [email protected]
- Website: www.pacificbp.com www.lbmoms.com
- Instagram: @pacificbusinesspartners @longbeachmoms
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pacificbp https://www.facebook.com/groups/279787228893491
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6fjZBu5YxEsK8B4yiePJXA
Image Credits:
First solo pic – Cielo Roth all other pics – community mamas
