It all started with a window

Posted by: Jen | Posted on: May 08, 2008 | Comments 14

Quite literally, a window has changed my life.

Upon moving into our new home three years ago, we child-checked and child-proofed every room from top to bottom, as we have three young girls. But we missed the window.

Days later our then 2-year-old, Audrey, pushed the screen and tumbled out, falling three floors to the ground below.

It seemed like an eternity before I reached her. Like running in a dream, my brain was racing but everything else seemed to be in slow motion. The horrors I imagined in my mind prior to reaching her still haunt me.

I am convinced an angel carried Audrey to the ground, because after a full medical evaluation, she left the hospital the next day with only a bruise on her leg.

The whole instance shook me to my very core. And caused me to reevaluate my priorities and my goals in life. The reality of life being fragile caused me to take personal inventory.

Right around that time, Carolyn and I began talking about the importance of building a life that allows for career success and as well as life’s other priorities. It’s something that personally resonates with each of us. We talked about how there’s really no company or brand addressing this growing need among women.

And then, it just became apparent. We needed to start that company.

The rest is history unfolding, in fwm: finding what matters.

To bring things full circle, NBC’s The Today Show aired a segment this past Friday on child safety, during which I had the opportunity to share Audrey’s story with millions of viewers. This is something that is very important to me, as I have a strong desire to help others avoid a similar scare – or, worse yet, a tragedy. The Today Show segment gave me that opportunity.

Amazing how everything works.

And it all started with a window. My daughter was kept safe (a gift for which I will be forever grateful), and I was propelled to a new and more meaningful career and family life.

Have you ever experienced something that has caused you to reevaluate your work and life? Please share.

And thanks for hearing my story. I feel blessed that it’s brought me here, to you.

***

Watch fwm co-founder, Jen Marr, in a featured “child safety” segment on The Today Show.

Related tags: children, entrepreneurship, life, todayshow

14 people have responded so far. Add your comment below.
Jane Chin said:
05.08.08 12:17 p.m.
Thank you, Jen! Giving birth to my baby helped me reevaluate my work and life. Even though I became an entrepreneur years ago on my quest to design my future and enjoyed certain success, I never anticipated drastic change to the contrary. Right up to the day of birth I was intent on continuing business as usual afterwards. Within a couple of months after becoming Jaden's mom, I knew I needed to stop what I was doing, literally. It blew my mind because I didn't "plan" on becoming a "stay at home mom" even as I was already working from home: I had too many "big goals" I was counting on achieving. Plus, I would be walking away from a successful business I built and was proud of. It seemed "insane" to my intellect. But I needed to listen to this knowing, and I knew I was stopping to learn the most important lessons about life and about business - from my baby! I had no option but to listen. That was a life defining moment, and one that I continue to be grateful for everyday.
Rachel M. said:
05.08.08 10:15 p.m.
Wow Jen, I'm so glad everything turned okay with your daughter. When I was 2 my parents moved to a new house and I managed to roll down the stairs into the basement, falling off the 3rd stair onto the concrete floor. My parents panicked because I didn't cry for a bit but everything turned out fine. My mom is also convinced angels were there that day.
Dorinne said:
05.09.08 12:18 a.m.
Wow ladies these are amazing events! Don't you find it interesting that some people take events like these and turn them into something good and don't squander the gift of life and second chances? I have known some that did not use that that gift for good but for selfish gain. They never realized that they were given a chance to help others learn from their lesson.My family and I went thru hurricane Andrew, it is a terrible feeling knowing that you are at the mercy of mother nature. At one point it felt like our house was going to implode as some in the neighborhood did.All I could think was how much I needed to protect my children, you realize how much they mean to you, you would give your own life to protect them.That's a mothers love, a bond that can and should never be broken. Cherish your little ones,as I am sure you ladies do.
Lori R said:
05.09.08 7:09 a.m.
Wow. This is such an amazing story. I can't believe the beginnings of this website and company were from something like this. Jen, thank you for sharing this! It's always interesting when you hear that someone had an idea for a business for a reason other than Hey, we could make money and be successful doing this!
JuliYaYa said:
05.10.08 11:05 a.m.
As I get a little older, I am trying to learn how to reevaluate things as if I was in the middle of one of those life-changing experiences. I guess I've been through a few, and I know that there is usually another one around the corner, so I figure why not try to 'get the lesson' a little early? The good news is that have gained enough trust to know that I'm not alone, and if I'm seeking the right thing it always finds me. But in truth I'm not always good at seeing 'the point,' and even if I do it usually still takes some dramatic event to actually get me to make the change! *sigh* So sometimes, in the middle of even a painful experience, I get a jolt of adrenaline when I realize that something new is on the way. It may not make it less difficult, but it is almost always worth it.
tammy said:
05.10.08 8:23 p.m.
wow jen, thank goodness everything turned out well. I do believe that sometimes we have to listen to what happens around us to know what our next steps should be. I stayed in my last job way too long and wish I would have seen some of the signs that I should go. Now that I look back I see that the signs were there. The biggest one is that I was struggling to be happy at work. This to me was a sign I overlooked way too long. Life is too short.
Sandy Strauss said:
05.12.08 12:43 p.m.
Thank God for Angels Jen! So happy your story turned out this way. I raised two boys and know that Angels helped me in their safety. In sharing your story, you will help others, re-evaluate their own situation and home, to make sure they have taken the extra steps to protect their curious, adorable children. Thank you for sharing.
Viviana said:
05.12.08 4:06 p.m.
Jen, as you know I have heard of these events before. Still, it gave me chills to read this and watch the Today Show clip. I had occasion to re-evaluate my career and my life when I had to knock back to part time in 2004 to care for my seriously ill spouse. When he recovered, I returned to work full time, but things were never the same. It was the beginning for me of a new mind-set. It set me on a path that led me here, because it was then that I began to think about doing something different with my career. Also, I suppose that, like you, after such a cataclysmic event, I scare a lot less easily now! :-)
Mary Kay said:
05.12.08 6:08 p.m.
That is an amazing story. Thank God she wasn't truly harmed. We all have unusual events in our lives; some scary and some wonderful. But not all of us take the necessary steps to share our learning experiences to help others. Often we neglect to even realize the gift we've been given. Many would say, "I can't believe my child fell out the window. There must be something wrong with that screen. Who manufactured it?...." You have said, "I am so thankful my daughter was saved." And to go further you share the story so others will not only hopefully be aware of the safety issue but also be more cognizant of the gift of perspective and of fully living life. Thanks!
Trish said:
05.15.08 4:49 a.m.
God is good! Amen... So happy to hear all was ok. Intersting enough I had mentioned to my husband we should move out all chairs from the kids rooms (rocker, book shelves, baby chairs) as I could see my youngest 3yrs climbing up and looking out the window. (he's the explorer). This has been haunting me lately, then I read your story. I must act on my thoughts. I am doing the entrepreneur thing now and doing it so my husband and I can both be home together raising our kids. Its fun and exciting all wrapped up into one! I sell Arbonne skin care..and we are featured in the Empowering Women magazine this month...if I can help you in any way just let me know...i love to send samples out! LOL!
Linda said:
05.15.08 10:22 a.m.
I am envious -- certainly NOT of the near tragedy you experienced -- but of the kick in the pants to change your life!! I am always wondering if what I am doing it what I'm SUPPOSED to be doing! My job is extremely flexible and PT and for that I'm very grateful. TOtally works for my husband and family. Fulfilling?? Bettering my world??? Making a difference?? Am trying to do those things in the way I live my life, how I am raising my children and what I do in my "spare" time, but I still wonder if I'm doing enough.
Viviana said:
05.15.08 10:12 p.m.
@Linda, if what you are doing works for you and for your family, then it may be that you have found a winning formula for this time in your life. When and if it is time to do something else, you will feel a gradual push or even a jolt that is downright uncomfortable!
Dottie Kennedy-Brooks said:
05.16.08 8:41 a.m.
WOW! My intuition has been telling me quietly that I should be in business for myself. Success in the tech industry has been stopping me from moving forward with my own business plan because "Why ruin a good thing?" My mantra for my daughter has always been "All you have to do is try, if it doesn't work, alter your plan a little bit, learn from it and try again!" One evening, my daughter was playing and my husband and I were discussing our business plan. My husband made a comment about how risky it was going to be to move forward with the plan full speed because it meant one of us would need to leave the safety of our full time position. My daughter, from the other room yelled "Well, Daddy all you have to do is TRY!" That was the moment for me. Today, I've taken and passed the Real Estate Exam in my state and have my first potential buyer coming in to chat this Saturday! Our goal for the remainder of the year is to purchase a multi family home as our first investment!
jen marr said:
05.16.08 8:51 a.m.
Hi Ladies! Your posts are inspiring and heartwarming! Yesterday in a NY taxi I saw a clip of Donny Deutsch pitching his "Big Idea" show. I didn't see all of the clip, but the part I did see resonated with me and I thought I'd share.... He was referring to people who want to start their own business and sometimes have doubts. This could apply to any career setting actually - going for a new job - going for a promotion etc.... Just keep telling yourself - "Why NOT me?". Just remember that... "Why NOT ME???" Belief in yourself is step #1. jen
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