“Once my daughter came into the world, it was suddenly as if lightning shot through me, and the stars aligned. I had less time than ever before, but more purpose than I could ever imagine”.
Hunter Burgtorf
Hello loves,
It’s been a minute!
We are SO passionate about holding and growing this space in a long term promise to us and you. We are still struggling to find space to record a new episode but you can listen to past episodes wherever you get your podcasts or right here on Substack.
As October half term is upon us, we have our ninth community mother GUEST post… as always we are so excited to share this with you.
We will publish two more posts like this and then take another break from guest posts and be back again with scheduled guest posts for your Winter holiday. Yay! ❄️
We’ve also included a little round up of creative mothers making incredible waves through collaboration at the end of the post.
We know what it feels like to need the words of other mothers and we want to be a beacon for that work please do recommend other articles in the comments.
Over to you…checking in… how are you all this week?
How has the season shift affected your balance and your showing up in the world…
From Claire; Guys I hit Substack bestseller this week - I’m so OVER THE MOON and excited about this space and all it has to offer creatives. My group business development programme starts 6th November and runs for four month. I’m so so excited for the work we are going to do together. I’m all in with calling in the right people to join and spend time with us nurturing their business in sustainable joyful ways; come read about it here? and if you want to chat more drop me an email?
From Laura: I’m in a period of great excitement and growth, as I start working with a new coach in November. I’ve also redesigned my website, working alongside a beautiful artist Trina Dalziel. This kind of co-creation and supporting another small business owner is the best way of working! I’d love you to take a look at my website www.lauraoldfield.com: I have two 121 spaces in November for my 3 or 6 month packages, and my group programme is always open - maybe that space is ready for you to take up?
In motherhood, we see you and we send support, love and a gentle sunshine energy your way. Get outside today if you can. Drink the water.
Call a friend, or do comment here.
With love as ever,
Laura and Claire
x (all photos ©
)‘Company of Two and You’ with Hunter Burgtorf
Hunter Burgtorf is a mother, photographer, writer, and creative that loves to share all things slow living and finding the sacred, magically mundane moments in our everyday lives.
She loves to write about these experiences on her Substack, The Magically Mundane, as well as document motherhood through her photography business. Hunter spends her days living slowly in a small beach town along Northwest Florida with her daughter, husband, and dog and in her spare time, you can usually find her baking sourdough, traveling somewhere new, or taking one of the way too many online courses she's bought because she never wants to stop learning.
Q1. When did you become a mum and how long have you had a company of one and what do you do within it?
I became a mom back in October 2021 when my daughter, Maverick, was born. I started my own company a month before graduating high school (way back in 2011) when a family friend encouraged me to do this new thing called blogging. I created a food blog and instantly fell in love with the online world.
That blog eventually evolved into a fashion blog, then I started doing social media management which is when I found my groove with photography.
Nowadays, most of my work is as an editor and proofreader for an education-based company and my evenings and weekends are filled with photographing families, events, and my favorite; motherhood.
I also have a reignited love for writing and sharing online, just like in the original blogging days, when I started publishing on Substack back at the beginning of this year. It's definitely something I am actively working on growing and wanting to pursue more.
Q2. How has having children impacted your work flow, creativity, your inspiration and your ability to manage your work?
Having a child has truly changed everything, and I don't say that lightly.
I've always had big dreams but not a lot of direction to achieve them. I'd go down the rabbit hole over something creative I became obsessed with, but then never did too much with it. I loved to create, but would often get caught up in perfectionism and the fear of failing if I shared it with the world.
So, I was just kind of coasting through my work and life. Once my daughter came into the world, it was suddenly as if lightning shot through me, and the stars aligned. I had less time than ever before, but more purpose than I could ever imagine.
Now, I can get more done in a 30-minute window of time when Maverick is napping or my husband has taken her out for a walk than I could ever do in a 2 or 4-hour period before becoming a mom.
For me, it feels as if everything has finally clicked into place and I can't strive for perfection because I just have to work with what I have. I imagine for some that could feel debilitating, but for me, it's created a freedom that I am beyond grateful for. Inspiration spills out of me because everyday magic is right in front of my eyes.
I created, grew limb by limb, birthed, and am now raising a human that's a reflection of me and my husband, as well as our families.
The work we do as mothers is sacred, and I believe when we lean into that as our first duty and purpose, the Universe (or God, the Divine Feminine, inner knowing, or whatever you believe) rearranges to support us in our vision.
Q3. What advice would you give to a mum just about to start their journey with balance, being and business in motherhood?
I would say, you can't do it all. But you can do something absolutely magical. Your job is to find what that is, and then trust that each day if you pick away at it, everything will fall into place. Success is an individual journey. If you're constantly striving for someone else's version of it, you will never be truly fulfilled by what your perfect definition of success is.
I believe we need more mothers in the world creating incredible companies that are founded on balance, feminine energy, and beautiful motherly leadership. So don't define success as how you see it being portrayed today, but rather as the kind of success that feels right in your heart for you.
Maybe, it's making just enough money to cover the groceries for the month, and the rest of your time is spent homeschooling your children. Or, maybe it's running a 7-figure business and having the means to support your family fully. Whatever it is, let it come from your own inner well and no one else's. Follow that thread, and watch as the magic unfolds.
I once heard someone say, "I am pro lose yourself in motherhood," and I couldn't agree more. Because by allowing you to lose yourself in this intense, chaotic, messy, beautiful season of life, you might just find who you were truly meant to be all along.
Thank you so much, Claire and Laura, for creating this beautiful space for empowering mothers. You both are such gems!
Thanks so so much to Hunter for guesting for us this week. Hunter publishes weekly and we loved this one from her celebrating her daughter’s second birthday;
Our round up of other mother’s posts we’ve ADORED and want to share this week;
Our BEAUTIFUL Sponsors here at Company of Two
These mother led small businesses supported our pilot episodes and the building of this community for you. We are so grateful for their support and especially to
for the beautiful illustrations.You can find all their details and connect with them further in this post:
Please check out their businesses if you have time and follow them online to support their work as they have supported us.
I needed to hear this today. I go back to work in two days and am having very complex feelings about it. I keep feeling those words, “I can’t do it all.” I know I have to just get my toes wet and give it a try to figure out what I *can* do. But I’m still learning how to redefine success.
"I had less time than ever before, but more purpose than I could ever imagine." I love this and can so relate to working in 5 minute pockets of time, feeling fulfilled and being much more efficient than prior to working as a mama. Also agree to more soulful, motherly led businesses. Thank you beautiful ladies xx