There can be so many responsibilities weighing heavy on your shoulders. You’re working on building your career, possibly starting or growing a family, following your passions, and, in general, living life! How can you handle it all? On the Money Pro Tour, I was able to connect with Lee Petitjean, who shared her story with me about her passion and how she balances all the responsibilities on her plate.
In Kansas City, Lee and her husband, Chris, are the definition of the couple that is working hard together to “do it all.” While her husband is an Accountant full-time at a firm in Downtown Kansas City, Lee balances her passion for healing and wellness with spending time raising her 2 children, now age 5 and 3.
In her childhood, Lee was always passionate about dance, gymnastics, and cheerleading. She knew that she wanted her career to incorporate these passions, so when Pilates gained popularity a while back, it felt like a great fit. Lee was introduced to Pilates to her 12 years ago, and she worked in a studio teaching Pilates Classes. She looks back on that time very fondly but says “I knew deep down that I wanted to be my own boss.”
She and Chris “loved to be DINKS” for a little while – Double Income & No Kids. They enjoyed living in the city and travelling frequently. That phase didn’t last too long.
Things started to change once the family had her first child. “It was important for me to be home with my child,” Lee told me. “But honestly, I didn’t know what it was like not to work.” We laughed at this together because she and I have both spent lots of time and energy building our professional skills and careers. I’m sure many of you reading this can relate!
“I’ve never been around anyone who doesn’t own a business,” she shared with me. Her father owned a nightclub in the 1970’s and later owned a restaurant as Lee went through adolescence. She shared that as she got older, she learned that her mother didn’t always like the business-side, and that was one of the reasons why the business ended up getting sold as her father got older.
Like many of us reading this article, the way our parents dealt with financial decisions played a role in how we think about money in our own lives. “With my husband, we’re both very open and giving,” Lee explained. “It’s life! You have to talk about it!” She shared more about how she and her husband agreed from the beginning of their relationship that communication was very important. They both wanted to be on the same page with each other’s goals and visions for the future. They’re not perfect by any means. “You’ll laugh, but it wasn’t until about two weeks ago that my husband and I finally merged calendars on our phones!”
While technology can surely make things easier, it doesn’t replace what should be there from the beginning. Talking with your partner one-on-one about important topics – like professional development, personal finances, and money – is so critical for a relationship to function optimally over the long term.
She and Chris communicated and planned together. How could Lee combine her burning desire to work hard AND help others with health and wellness AND be there for her young kids? She shared with me that she could describe her true passion as “helping people heal from the inside-out” and with that clarity she was able to move forward.
Lee set out to start her own business. With a small Personal Loan from her parents-in-law (“They wanted to get in on it!” she says,) Lee was able to start up her Health Coaching business with more confidence, backing, and support. Many folks dream of starting a business, and the planning that goes into that transition has many layers, moving parts, and obstacles to overcome.
Currently, Lee helps provide health and wellness products to clients through an online store. A self-described “ingredient freak,” Lee loves the fact that she’s in a position to proudly represent products that she and her family personally use. She has strict requirements, and not just any-old-health product passes her guidelines.
Plexus Worldwide (http://www.plexusworldwide.com/leelpetitjean) allows her to provide high value products in services in alignment with her passion, purpose, and mission, while also allowing for flexibility of schedule to be with her children and husband spending quality time together. “I’ve been a health-nut at heart for 35 years! Having 2 little boys makes me strive for a healthy lifestyle that is natural and not forced. Weather it’s Pilates, gut health, or local food – you will get my whole heart and passion!”
The business-side started slowly. A few hundred dollars per month turned into over $1,000 per month, and the sales have continued to grow. Ultimately, Lee has proven that getting started, planning ahead, staying organized, and prioritizing optimally allows for her work-life balance to fit her goals.
She and her husband continue to be on the same-page. They plan and consider next steps ahead of them in their careers, raising their children, and continuing to make smart financial decisions together for the well-being of their family, both for their todays & their tomorrows.
You can learn more about Lee by following her on Instagram @KChealthnut and finding her on Facebook and LinkedIn – Lee Petitjean. Her website is http://www.plexusworldwide.com/leelpetitjean
For more information from Dimitry Neyshtadt ChFC and the #MoneyProTour just follow this link www.linktr.ee/90DayMoneyPro as he and @TheFinanceFrenchie travel 25 States in 25 Weeks discussing Personal Finances, Smart Financial Decision Making, and Sharing Case Studies from All Over The Country. The Link includes his social media pages and YouTube Channel. Thanks for reading!
