Working Mom: Wendy Dailey from iSanctuary

As if working moms aren’t inspiring enough, Wendy Dailey is working to stop the cycle of human trafficking while taking care of a 10 month old! Co-founder of iSanctuary, an organization that is nurturing and employing human trafficking victims in India and the U.S., Wendy’s purpose driven work keeps her going. We loved getting to peer into the “Dailey” life and see her passion for her family and her work revealed through her honest and wise responses!

Name: Wendy Dailey

Company: International Sanctuary (iSanctuary)

Title: Co-founder

Location: Orange County, CA

Kids: Tatum, 10 months

 

You have an amazing company! Tell us about iSanctuary! How, when, and why did you decide to start it?

I’m the proud mom of a ten-month-old and a seven-year-old. My first born is actually the company I helped found over seven years ago–International Sanctuary (iSanctuary). This once fledgling organization, founded to help empower girls and women rescued from human trafficking, is fast becoming well recognized for its fashionable and affordable, handmade jewelry, as well as its innovative business model in truly making real changes in the lives of survivors. Today we have served over 300 young girls and women rescued from human trafficking in the U.S. and India. My second child is ten-month-old Tatum Grace and she is literally growing up right alongside my “first born” and blossoming into a beautiful, spirited little girl. I can’t imagine my life without both labors of love that, at one point in life, never seemed possible.

Little did I know what I was getting myself into seven years ago. Stephanie Pollaro was living in Mumbai, India working with girls ages 12-19, rescued from forced commercial sex slavery, all because of an article she read in Marie Claire highlighting human trafficking. Reading it, she knew her life had changed forever. Over the course of the next several months, she sold everything and moved to India to work with girls rescued from sex trafficking. She taught them the skill of jewelry making as a means of generating income and needed someone to sell the jewelry.

Having spent a year in Cambodia and seeing trafficking first hand and the atrocity that destroyed these young girls, I felt compelled by the cause and was eager to do my part. With only a background as an elementary school teacher, I had plenty to learn in leading an international non-profit business. Yet, regardless of the obstacles that stood in front of me, I knew this was my life’s purpose.

Were you a mom when you started iSanctuary? If not, how is it different now that you are?

As a new mom, I have had to learn to be flexible over the past year, and make adjustments to accept the unexpected. When my husband calls to say my daughter is sick and needs to be picked up, I drop everything and leave. There are interruptions and my day is more unconventional, working late hours when I can find time, but it’s all worth it!

What does a typical day in your position look like?

Every day is different and everyday is challenging. This simple phrase–“We’re doin’ it!” has become my “Dailey” mantra. When Tatum was only two months old and I stumbled down the stairs with her in one arm, my laptop and purse in the other, it just popped in my head–“We’re doin’ it!” When I drop off an order at a retail account, with her in one arm and a bag of product in the other, I look down at her and remind myself, “We’re doin’ it!” As everyone is distracted by the darling, beautiful baby (I may be just a bit biased) they don’t seem to notice the mom with beads of sweat building under her lip, awkwardly hitching baby on one hip, while juggling pieces of jewelry over the counter. As I walked out the door, a sigh of relief is released after I’ve single-handedly taken an order and managed not to drop my child! “Mission accomplished!” I say to her as I click her into her car seat while she looks up at me and babbles.

How do you balance being a working mom?

Many moms told me, ‘you just make it work’ and that’s what we do. Ten month old, Tatum, my trooper, rolls with life in spite of how much I’ve been told that “Babies thrive on structure.” Our lives don’t have the luxury of taking naps at 10am and 2pm every day. If a meeting is scheduled, I simply strap her to the front of me in her carrier and off we go to a coffee shop to meet our next “Client.” I’ve had to trade taking notes on my iPhone for mental notes while I do the mommy dance back and forth– patting her bum, stroking her nose, hoping she’ll stay appeased while intently hanging on every word of my esteemed colleague at hand, not wanting to miss a beat! It helps that my business partner Stephanie is her biggest fan and doesn’t mind assuming the “Auntie” role more often than not. Or that any volunteer who walks in the office is eager to swipe her out of my hands allowing me a few precious moments to finish up a proposal or answer a phone call or two. As busy as it gets juggling my baby and this cause, I can’t see doing it any other way.

Has there ever been a breaking point when you didn’t think you could do both? What got you through?

It’s always challenging. I’ve had to scale way back now, being a mom. I don’t commit to as much as I use to, night meetings and evening presentations. My business partner has helped me be realistic about what I can do. Though it’s difficult, seeing the transformation in the girls and women we’ve served, knowing there are more girls and women that need hope, dignity, and a chance at a new life is what keeps me going.

What do you do for you? To keep yourself inspired and motivated and not too stressed?

Three days a week, when Tatum goes to work with daddy (my husband is a teacher at a private school where they have a day care program), I start my day with Boot Camp, Fit Body Boot Camp.  It’s an intensive 45 minute workout that kicks my butt, but it’s a great way to start my morning. It helps me stay motivated, focused, and release stress. I also have made it a goal to expose my daughter to something new every weekend. We set aside ‘family time’ to go for a walk at the beach, take her to a park, or explore an area of our community.

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?

Work smarter. Instead of running around responding to the urgent, prioritize and spend time on what will critically move things forward. Rather than trying to do it all, let the ball drop on items that won’t make or break the future.

What is your favorite part about your job?

Knowing that every day, we are working to help girls and women achieve freedom. Knowing that our efforts today will help girls and women in the future we have yet to serve, those that are sitting and waiting for hope.

What is your favorite part about being a mom?

Giggling and playing with my baby. When I actually stop… I’m not thinking about that next project, strategy, or email I need to send. My mind is quiet and I can stare into my baby’s eyes and just laugh, giggle and play. It’s the best feeling in the world.

If you could encourage other working moms out there, what would you tell them?

Be flexible. Roll with it. Nothing is going to go as expected, and it may not turn out the way you want. Constantly weigh your priorities and make sure you’re making time for your family. If you lose sight of them, and work becomes all consuming, you need to decide if it’s really worth it.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: Teacher

Food indulgence: Good authentic Italian food! I lived in Florence, Italy for a semester in college where I got spoiled. Nothing is better than an authentic Italian dinner with a glass of Pinot Noir!

Beauty secret: Being genuine and authentic is always beautiful!

Celebrity mom crush: Jennifer Garner

Secret talent: Running up really steep hills, I love jogging. The steeper the hill, the better.

I can’t live without (as a mom): My husband. It’s a team effort. He’s a huge help, and I couldn’t do it without him.

I can’t live without (as a business owner): My iphone, being able to review documents on the go…syncing it with my Google calendar, meeting reminders, note taking app.