Women are magic. That’s what comes to mind when thinking about Brandi Sellers-Jackson. Brandi is a mother of three, a doula, a musician, co-founder of Moms In Color and creator of the blog, #NotSoPrivateParts. What we find so fascinating about Brandi is she juggles all of her passions with a sense of joy and practicality. She knows that time is limited, especially as a busy working mom. We love how she brings creative energy into everything she does. It doesn’t matter if it’s cooking a meal or writing, she’s possesses the same sense of wonder. Find out how she juggles side projects and stays inspired.

Tell us a little about you and your background. How did you get to where you are today? 

I am a mama of three boys, a wife and a creative. I got my start in music and then transitioned into textiles, after the passing of my mother. I needed to shift careers a bit. Continuing in music while grieving was a bit much. After a beautiful four years working with fabric, I heard the call to begin my journey in birth work.

Let’s start with motherhood. You have three beautiful boys. What inspires you about being their mom? 

Oh my gosh, they are absolutely amazing! Every day, I have the unique privilege of raising dope, caring, aware men. They are such beautiful souls. 

Do you feel motherhood influences your creativity? 

Absolutely! Motherhood is the epitome of creation. Being a mother has propelled my creativity in ways that I never imagined. 

Motherhood is the epitome of creation. Being a mother has propelled my creativity in ways that I never imagined. 

How do you encourage creativity with your children? 

I encourage them to think outside the box. I remind my oldest, Jax, who’s 13 years old, that we have a bit of privilege by living in Los Angeles. The sky is truly the limit. There’s so much opportunity by proximity. We encourage our children to allow creativity to flow and simply see what happens. 

What inspired you to become a doula? 

I wanted to become what I needed. I began with postpartum support. After birthing Jedi, Jon and I didn’t have much support, as our families lived across the country. We would find ourselves overextended, exhausted and in desperate need of a shower. When I heard that there was such a thing as postpartum support, I realized this was the very thing that I needed for myself. I, in turn, wanted to be that for other birthing people. A few years later, I would eventually begin supporting births.

We love Moms In Color. Can you tell us more about it? 

Moms In Color was started out of necessity. There was a very apparent lack of diversity within the motherhood community, here in Los Angeles. Myself and my co-founders would find ourselves at these mama events with only a few moms of color present. This was problematic. So we all decided to be the change that we need to see in the world. Hence, Moms In Color was born.

What does creative energy mean to you? How do you foster it in your daily life? 

Creative energy is a life force. It’s something to be harnessed and propelled into the universe. I use it in my everyday life. I use it while making a meal, creating content, doula(ing), mothering…it’s a part of me. 

You are juggling a lot: Motherhood, being a doula, a creator, a co-founder. How do you make time for it all? Do you get overwhelmed? 

I’ve come to realize that in a day, I may not have time for it all. So, I ask myself what are the things that I actually need to do for the day, and then I start from there. The things that I don’t need to do, I may opt to do at a later time. It all starts with peace. When I begin to feel overwhelmed, this is a pretty good litmus test at letting me know that I have taken on entirely too much.

What do you use to stay organized with everything that you juggle? 

Calendar. Calendar. Calendar. There was a time that I could keep everything that I have to do in this head of mine. However, after having my third kid and doing all the things, this is no longer possible. I write everything down.

Have you ever experienced a side project that failed? How do you bounce back from failure? 

I don’t really look at it as failure. I choose to look at it as perhaps timing? Everything is about timing. Some things may be a great idea, but the wrong time to implement into the world.

Why do you feel side projects are important to creativity? 

They challenge you. They challenge you to juggle your time a bit better and cause you to immerse yourself in deep-rooted self-care. 

Support is so important as a mother and as a business owner. Do you have any advice for women looking for more support? 

Absolutely! When people ask if you need help or what you need…tell them what you need. Don’t be afraid to reach out for support. It takes a village. We all need a village. You are not alone.

Favorite quote? 

“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” —Angela Y. Davis

Image credits: Nicki Sebastian, Frash Photography and Brandi’s own photos.

You may also like: 6 Different Types of Side Projects You Could Start Today | Why You Should Have A Side Project