Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Ornelas
Hi Jessica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I unexpectedly got pregnant with my high school boyfriend at age 19. We decided to have a baby together but parented separately. Soon after having my 1st. baby I had postpartum depression but found healing when I got involved in a Christian church in Southern California. When I started attending church with just my son we found community, acceptance, love and support. Months later my son’s father started attending church with us because he saw my mental health change and I think he was curious about this new way of life. Fast forward we ended up healing individually but also together as parents and we got married. We then had our 2nd. son and that’s when I became a stay home Mom. Previous to becoming a stay at home Mom I worked in the restaurant/ hospitality industry while also going to college part time. But I was fortunate enough to be at home with my 2 young children. During my time at home is when my entrepreneur/ creative side was activated. From my experience as a stay at home mom is women need an outlet that still allows them to feel “normal”. Outside of being a Mother I needed to still have an identity but who was I at age 26? I was in the process of figuring that out. The ever evolving Mother. I realized COMMUNITY is where I find my energy. I feel grounded, humbled and inspired when I get to know other peoples stories so I started to host SMALL BUSINESS MARKETS in my parents home backyard in Southern California. I love shouting hard workers out, especially other moms grinding to provide yet still being creative. Now that I’m reflecting back I did this all for free. I hosted in person markets, I did a lot of social media advertising and built a wonderful community. After this momentum the pandemic happened. I then found out I was pregnant with my 3rd baby and gave birth during the pandemic with not the right care and so it sounds like a big jump but that is when I decided I wanted to move out of California. So my husband and our 3 children picked up and left Los Angeles, CA. During 2019, 2020 it was a weird and scary time so that is how I ended up in San Antonio, TX. I don’t have any family here. I don’t know anyone! I just needed to start a new chapter of life and finally have my “away from home college experience” I never got to have because I became a Mom at 19 years old. I have been in San Antonio, TX for 3 years now and I’m starting to dig my roots down. My children have now built their community and love their schools. When I saw my children thriving here is when I realized now it’s my turn to go out and BUILD COMMUNITY once again. I recently had my 4th baby. Yes! we had to have a Texas baby and during my 4th postpartum journey I have the tools to know what makes my mental health feel healthy! Through Facebook, Tiktok and Instagram I’ve made the effort to find my tribe and so far it’s been a beautiful experience. I think when I post about meet-ups and letting people know upfront I’m new to this city it attracts other newbies too! So my community here in San Antonio is actually other moms that moved from Florida, Illinois, more Cali moms that migrated this way! I also think my humor attracts moms to feel comfortable with me. Honesty and humor is my specialty.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No it has not been a smooth road. I miss my family, my village, my old community but it has showed me how resilient I am. My husband and I have had to tap into a deeper part of our marriage because we don’t have the typical help other young parents have. Being a stay home mom has financially been a sacrifice but it allows me to raise my children while they are young.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I host monthly mom meet-ups at no cost. I genuinely love connecting with other women because I struggled postpartum 12 years ago and would never want anyone to feel alone or go through motherhood with no outlet. I am a honest and quirky so I don’t have a “influencer aesthetic”. I think that’s what attracts people to me. I am proud that I’m using my postpartum struggle from 12 years ago and turning it into a way to connect. I was once ashamed about getting pregnant at 19. I held on to shame of having that baby, I second guessed should I have became a mom during those first months of being a mom. I was then ashamed of having postpartum depression. Moving to San Antonio, TX away from where I held my shame in Los Angles, CA has been so healing. I am proud of authentically living my life for me.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I think there will be less stay at home moms and more moms working. Financially it is a struggle to keep up with all things kids need and want. I do think stay home mom and working moms will be diving into community type events. I think women uplifting woman and supporting each other is a more common thing than thinking each other as competition. I hope moms become the “new influencer” and events are for the every day woman.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedinmomlife/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000411463705
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rooted.in.mom.life.
