Meet Meredith Melody: Realtor and Owner of Meredith Melody Photography
I’ve loved getting to know this talented mom of two. Native to Arkansas, Meredith is from Fayetteville, but has found her community in Little Rock with her hubby and sweet girls.
Meredith is a supermom for sure!
She does everything from owning and operating a boutique photography business to showing homes around town to being a stellar mom and wife.
When she’s not balancing her job with The Charlotte John Company you can find her behind the lens in her Hillcrest photography studio where she does everything from commercial shoots to boudoir!
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
I was born in Fayetteville, and moved to Little Rock after graduating college in 2005.
You’re a Momma! How many children do you have and how old are they?
I have 2 girls: Emma, 10 and Evelyn, 4.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
My degrees are in Middle East Studies and Political Science – I met my husband (who is from Little Rock) in Morocco while studying Arabic.
What are your favorite things to do with your kids?
We love to cook, listen to music, and snuggle up for family movie night!
What is your favorite thing about raising your family in Little Rock/Benton/Bryant area?
I love that it’s a big city with a small community feel.
What’s your best mom hack that makes life easier?
We don’t do allowance anymore for our oldest daughter, so she earns her money through chores. Not only does this teach her the value of a dollar, but it also helps ME out with housework.
What are your favorite places to eat in Little Rock/Benton/Bryant area?
Casa Manana is our favorite Mexican place, Sushi Cafe or Kemuri for sushi, and Purple Cow for a kid treat.
Self-care is so important as momma’s who give so much, what’s something you do just for yourself?
I’m addicted to Pure Barre! The people and work out are amazing.
What’s something you can’t leave the house without?
Lip gloss
What is your leave favorite mom job? (packing lunches, dishes, bathtime, laundry….)
Getting my toddler to eat! Ha! Laundry and tidying up at the end of the day are my least favorite chores.
Tell us about your career outside being a mom.
I own a boutique photography studio located in Hillcrest. I’ve been a professional photographer since 2008, and I specialize in boudoir, portraits, headshots and commercial photography. I’m also a Realtor with The Charlotte John Company. Photography is my creative outlet, something that I’m very passionate about, and real estate is something that I’ve always been interested in and allows me to really connect with people and my community.
How has the Little Rock community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
Being a small business owner and an entrepreneur, I wouldn’t be where I am today professionally without my amazing network of clients and friends. Little Rock really is a tight knit community and word of mouth, connections, and relationships are what make things go round.
I’m also super grateful for the community we’ve found at Jefferson Elementary where our oldest is at school, and our neighborhood in Foxcroft. The entire community at Jefferson is dedicated to providing the best experience for our kids – both academically and socially. Parents are involved, teachers and staff really care, and the kids LOVE their school. It’s a pretty amazing thing to be part of. And our neighborhood is full of some of the most fun, and kindest people I’ve ever known. I feel like we have our own little neighborhood family inside the city , and I’m so grateful for that!
How has being a momma yourself shaped you as a business owner?
My kids are my “why.” Being able to develop a career that not only allows me to provide financially to our family, but that also allows me to be available when school is out, on sick days and for big events/moments in their daily lives is huge for me. I want both of my girls to know that they can run a successful business and be an involved mom. I have shaped my business over the years to be able to do just that.
How do you balance being a mom, wife, and business owner? Do you experience mom guilt? How do you handle it?
It’s all a juggling act. I’m fortunate to have flexible work hours and can schedule my business around my personal life, but that doesn’t mean it’s not hectic at times and things get neglected. Summer months and when school is out are especially challenging times to keep it all balanced. I rely heavily on advanced scheduling and calendars to keep it all organized!
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
My husband is my partner in crime. He’s an amazing father, but he’s an even better husband. He and I are truly a team and I can’t imagine dealing with all the ups and downs of parenthood without him.
When parenting gets hard, what’s something you tell yourself that gets you through?
Being a tough parent usually means I’m being a good parent. When parenting is especially trying, I remind myself that if I’m really trying to do my best, it’s worth it – even when it’s a challenging stage of life for my girls or just a battle of wills. I try to remember that in the long run, the hardships and the struggles will make us better people.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
Slow down and try to soak up the little stuff when you can. It all goes by so quickly.
What are your future plans and goals?
To give our kids more experiences, especially travel. I think exposing children to new cultures and places is one of the most beautiful ways you can teach young minds about the world and how to be a more well-rounded, caring human.
Be sure to follow along with Meredith on her social and website to see tips, tricks, and motivation for a balanced life!
Website: www.meredithmelody.com
Social: @meredithmelody on Instagram and @meredithmelodyphotography on Facebook
