Inspiring Others - Jessica Butler, Co-Founder of Raise Magazine

Jul 20

Just as the pandemic hit, our Socially Inspired team was given the opportunity to get to know Jessica Butler, co-founder of Raise Magazine a bit better. Like most working moms, Jessica's days are filled balancing work calls, iCal appointments for the whole family, and countless household chores. In addition to managing her home, she uses Raise Magazine as the home of her truly inspirational content that reaches moms far and wide and touches on topics like adoption, fostering, life as a stepparent, family wellness, and so much more.

Jessica with son, Levon - Photo Credit: Justine Ungaro - www.raisemagazine.com

Jessica’s ability to find the common ground parents share and raise awareness about some incredibly important issues that are often overlooked is uncanny. As a stepmother of two, and adoptive mother of one, her insight on motherhood, women’s issues, and family issues hit home for so many of her readers! Prior to "Raise," she was a writer on USA’s "In Plain Sight" and TNT’s "The Last Ship." She and her husband, writer/producer Warren Bell, co-created the Nick at Nite series "Instant Mom," based on her life as a stepmother. As moms, digital creators, and women who love empowering women we’re grateful for the chance to share this special interview with Jessica.

Best Advice you got when you became a mom?

I became a stepmom first, and no one offered me any advice! I find that most people don’t offer parenting advice to stepmoms because they don’t see us as parents.

Best lesson you’ve learned as a professional writer?

How to tell a story, which is essential in the digital marketing space. I’ve also learned how to be very decisive. In television, we work quickly.

Best Advice you’ve given an entrepreneur, writer, or working mom?

I believe women can have it all, but not all at the same time. If you want to take time off to be with your children and you can afford to do so, I encourage you to do it. You won’t regret it.

Favorite tip, trick, hack or system.

Monday.com, Google Keep, and iCal. Can’t live without them. How do you manage your time / stay organized? All of our calendars are synced in iCal -- my personal appointments, my content calendar for Raise, Levon’s school and sports schedules, my husband’s production schedule. When my stepsons were young, we also had a co-parenting calendar. Everything starts in iCal, and every day looks different. On Sundays, I look at the week ahead and try to plan my working hours and workouts based on my “free” hours. It’s a constant juggle.

What has been inspiring you most lately?

My children, who are rolling with quarantine so gracefully. Their attitude inspires me to make the best of this experience. Some days I succeed. Other days I scream at my husband at the dinner table. But A for effort, right?

What’s one trend in marketing, storytelling, or in general that you’d like to see go away?

The negative portrayal of stepparenting, adoption, and foster care in TV and film.

What does success in life look like to you?

Getting to the end of the day and feeling like I accomplished enough. Saying that makes me sad, but it’s true, and I think it’s the way a lot of working mothers feel.

How would you improve the process of adoption?

How long is this allowed to be? Adoption laws vary from state to state. We need federal regulation. Established and enforced ethical adoption practices. Post-placement support for birth mothers. Access to original birth certificates and adoption paperwork for every adoptee in the country. Universal healthcare for foster children. I could go on and on.

What is one thing you’d like to tell moms or soon-to-be moms everywhere?

Find a person who has older children that you admire and let that be the person you go to for parenting advice. For me, it’s my neighbor. Although it should really be my parents because I’m fabulous.

What’s your main career goal for 2020? How do you intend to use social media marketing or marketing to achieve your goals?

To grow our community of non-traditional mothers! Instagram has been incredible. Especially during quarantine, digital support and community is crucial.