THE MOTHER NATURE

THE FAMILY GROOVE’S PROFILE OF A MOM WHO’S MAKING IT HAPPEN

Gone are the days of the traditional coffee clutch, because at THE FAMILY GROOVE, we’re doing it
new school, bringing people together to laugh, learn, share and commiserate in the global village
called the Internet.

This month, we want you to meet Jan Helson. The woman has got her act together—and after you
read this interview, you’ll want to get yours together, too. She’s pretty dang inspiring, in fact. She runs
her own company with her husband, is pursuing several other creative and entrepreneurial ventures, knows who she is and, on top of it all, knows where she’s been, where she’s going and how to get there. But, perhaps the most poignant thing she shares is how she wishes she realized how quickly her kids, now 16 and 20, would grow up. Nothing new there, we know—everyone says it, but reading her interview kind of hit us like a 10-ton brick. It’s as if they were words of prophecy from our not-so-distant future, calling on us now to wake up, pay attention, be in the moment, put down the BlackBerry, step away from our work and enjoy (yes, actually enjoy!) the time we are spending with our kids. We tend to get caught up in the rigmarole of it all—the meals, the bedtimes, the shuttling to and fro. So, let Jan be your role model; let her sage advice and words of wisdom ring true in your head from this day forth. Let her example empower you to know that you can have the life you want—the loving relationship with your mate, the rewarding work life, the happy kids, the happy you. Here, Jan tells us how she does it.

Jan Helson 1. Who are you?
Jan Helson. Mother, wife, entrepreneur, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.

2. How old are you?
48 (almost 49)

3. Where do you live?
Louisville, Ky.

4. How many children do you have? How old?
Two fabulous children—a 16-year-old son and a 20-year-old daughter!

5. What time do you get up?
At 6:30 during the week. Later on the weekends—8 or 9 if I can get away with it. I am a night owl by nature, so getting up early is difficult for me. I am much more productive at night than I am in the morning. My natural body clock has been turned upside down ever since my kids started kindergarten (15 years ago!). Some nights I can’t keep my eyes open past 10, and some nights my employees get e-mail all night long.

6. What daily rituals must you do to feel normal?
Wake up slowly. Update my to-do list every night before I go to sleep. Stay connected to my BlackBerry.

7. What do you wish you’d do every day, but haven’t been able to incorporate into your routine?
Exercise—of course! And read for pleasure more often.

8. Do you work?
Yes—all the time, but I am very fortunate in that I have a great team of employees and I have a lot of flexibility. Technology provides me the ability to stay connected to work all the time but still meet the needs of my family.

9. What do you do?
My husband and I own (along with a few silent, minority partners), sit on the board of directors for and operate day-to-day operations of a vegetable oil processing company that provides specialty shortenings to the industrial baking industry. We also own, develop and manage various real estate entities. Between the two entities, we employ approximately 170 employees. I am co-writing a children’s book with my daughter and I am working on co-writing a screenplay with my sister. I would like to write more as I get older. My husband and I work together day in and day out. We are very fortunate. We have a very unique relationship that allows us to be able to work, live and raise a family together. We met through working together, so the relationship is very natural. As time has allowed, I have sat on nonprofit boards and been engaged in philanthropic work.

10. Tell us more about your company.
We manufacture shortening products made of soy, cotton and palm oil imported from Malaysia with specialized melting curves in order to meet our customers’ specific functionality needs. We serve the industrial food service and baking industries. Our company philosophy is focused on providing our customers the highest level of quality and service available to the industry. We service the United States and Canada. I engage in other business opportunities and creative outlets as opportunities present themselves.

11. What’s the best thing your mother ever told you?
Besides that a parent’s love is unconditional and forever, she told to me to “be patient; what goes around comes around.” She was right!

12. What does being a good mother mean?
Providing my kids with the foundation to be confident, happy and successful individuals who are productive members of society.

13. What’s your mantra/personal philosophy?
I have three. They are so much a part of me that my kids could answer this question without flinching! One, strive for excellence. I live it and I preach it to my children. Two, the Serenity Prayer—“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.” I completely live it. I strive to be the best that I can be and to make a difference where I can. I don’t allow myself to be bogged down by things outside of my control. I believe that the earlier in life that one learns this, the more productive and happier one will be. Three, actions speak louder than words.

14. What do you tell other mothers?
Nurture your kids’ interests and strengths. Provide them the support and tools to be who they want to be and to be the best them they can be.

15. Finish this sentence: I want my children to know…
…happiness, strength, success, much love and that I absolutely adore them.

16. Who inspires you?
My husband, Tim. He is incredibly intelligent, supportive and loving.

17. What are you passionate about?
My husband, my children, my extended family and my work. I am a big believer in individual rights and personal responsibility.

18. How do you balance your life as a woman, a mother, a friend?
I am disciplined and flexible. I know it sounds like these characteristics would be diabolically opposed—but they aren’t. I believe they are both essential in order to maintain a productive, balanced life. I am extremely organized—a compulsive list maker, good at multitasking, a micromanager and a great delegator. All of these attributes help me balance my life.

19. What do you wish you knew then that you know now?
How quickly my kids would grow up!

20. How do you get into your groove?
I stay organized.