Balancing business and family sounds great in theory—until you realize it’s not a balance, it’s a full-blown circus. And spoiler alert: I’m the ringmaster, the juggler, and sometimes, the person crying behind the tent.
I manage my family’s dispensary full time. My husband Spencer and I run it together (and now my sister helps too), but when it comes to Braydin—my high-needs son—I’m the default parent, the appointment driver, the emotional support team, and the walking calendar.
So how do I do it all?
I don’t.
But I do have some tricks, tools, and hard-earned truths that help me stay afloat—most days.
🏪 First, Let’s Talk Work: I Manage a Family-Owned Dispensary
My mom owns the business, and I run it. That means I’m opening, closing, scheduling, inventorying, handling customers, creating marketing, and running everything in between. My husband Spencer is my only full-time backup—unless you count my sister Jessica, who recently started helping on Friday nights.
She covers the shop while Spencer and I attend a court-mandated class (yes, we still have to keep our life going while life keeps lifing). But Jessica’s life? Just as wild. She’s a CNA, has two boys on different baseball teams, an adorable toddler, and is pregnant with her fourth. She helps when she can, and we’re incredibly grateful.
But for the most part? It’s me and Spencer. If I’m at an appointment with Braydin, he’s at the store. If he’s gone for visitation with his daughter, I’m running it solo. That’s just how our life is set up—untraditional, unpredictable, but functional… most days.
🧠 Now Let’s Talk Home: High-Needs Parenting Is a Full-Time Job
Braydin has multiple appointments every week—doctors, therapists, specialists—you name it. He also requires constant supervision, structure, and support. There is no such thing as “after work” for me.
When I leave the shop, I clock right into caregiving:
- Meds
- Meltdowns
- Meal planning around sensory preferences and health needs
- Communicating with care teams
- Trying to sneak in one deep breath before bedtime hits like a freight train
✅ What Actually Helps Me Stay (Somewhat) Sane
Here’s what I lean on to make the chaos a little more manageable:
- 📅 The TimeTree App: Spencer and I sync everything—work hours, appointments, family stuff. Shared calendars are a must.
- 📔 Passionate Penny Pincher Planner: Color-coded, chaos-taming, and cute. I’d forget my own name without it.
- 📱 Modivcare App: For transportation to medical appointments, because not every trip is possible to juggle solo.
- 📚 Libby App + Library Hotspot: Audiobooks keep me grounded, and the hotspot lets me run life from my car when needed.
- 📲 iPad with Canva App: Helps me create social media content for the dispensary, blog, and side projects while I’m waiting in lobbies or parked outside therapy offices.
These don’t fix everything—but they’re my lifelines.
💡 Real Talk: What Doesn’t Always Get Done
Let’s be honest. Here’s a short list of things that absolutely fall through the cracks sometimes:
- Laundry. Always.
- Hot meals (sometimes it’s gluten-free cheese and pickles and I will not apologize).
- “Me time”—if I get 15 minutes of silence, I call it a win.
- Emails and text messages. If you’re waiting for a reply… sorry, I probably read it and forgot mid-crisis.
- Blog drafts. (Yes, including this one. Been writing it for two weeks in between everything else.)
🧘♀️ What I’ve Learned
- Done is better than perfect.
Perfection is a lie moms tell themselves while folding towels at midnight. - You can’t do everything, and that’s okay.
Some things will be late. Some things will be messy. You’re still doing great. - Flexible routines beat rigid schedules.
Plans change. Kids meltdown. Go with it. - Ask for help.
Whether it’s your partner, your sister, or your planner app—lean on your tools and your people.
💛 Final Thoughts: You’re Allowed to Be Tired and Proud
Yes, I’m tired.
Yes, I wish there were more hours in the day.
Yes, sometimes I wonder if I’m doing enough.
But I look at Braydin, and I see the way he thrives in the safety and structure we’ve built. I see our little business staying open through life’s chaos. And I know—we’re making it work. And that’s enough.
juMOMjia 