So here’s the thing, I have a horrible memory…HORRIBLE. But for whatever reason, I seem to remember the first time I ever met anyone, including the day I met this particular Smarty Momma. Years ago, I was in charge of snacks for our vacation Bible school, and Susan had signed up to bring something for one of the snacks. While most people sent the items in with their kids, she came into the cafeteria to drop off her snack item with a huge smile on her face, dressed in a sharp suit looking to kick some butt in corporate America. She introduced herself and after thanking me for heading up VBS snacks, was quick to offer sending in anything else that we might need. I just remember thinking, “What a sweetheart!” of course now, many years later, I’m sure another thing she was thinking behind that big ole’ smile was, “Better you than me, sister – I gone!” Just typing that makes me LOL because I’m sure something like that popped into her mind as she was leaving the cafeteria full of screaming children ;o)
It’s that hilarious, witty, good-natured, fun, beautiful, and kindhearted person that many moons later, is one of my absolute favorite people in the world! Her one-liners are legendary, and spending just 5 minutes in a room with her is like an absolute breath of fresh air. It’s not often I can say this about someone, but I am truly a better person for knowing her.
While many of you are already familiar with Susan (having read some of her own Smarty blogs), for those of you who aren’t, I’m excited to be the one to introduce you. Meet my dear friend, Susan!
Smarty Mom: Susan Bowman
Smarty Mom Stats:
Married to: Doug for 15 years
Mom to: Ella James 9 years old and Clay 6 years old
Occupation: Banking, Wells Fargo
‘Hood: Quail View #28226
Hometown: Easley, SC
Years in Charlotte: almost 19!
With all of the running around that you do helping others, volunteering, part time consulting, etc… some people might not realize that you also have a banking career! How long have you been with Wells Fargo?
Nearly 19 years! (First Union, Wachovia, and now Wells Fargo) The company has been so good to me. They have walked with me through all phases of my life. I have literally grown up there… from age 23/single/stupid to age 41/married/mother of 2/slightly less stupid. I’ve had endless opportunities to learn and grow.
Having been at Wells Fargo all of those years, I’m sure you’ve worn many different hats and seen it go through so many changes! What has been your favorite role so far?
All of the roles I’ve sought out and held in the last 19 years have always been newly created positions that no one has held before. I always go where it is “broken” or dysfunctional or poorly performing. I’m inspired by the underdog and making something out of nothing (or I’m a sucker!). I’ve made a career out of problem solving and figuring out how people who are vastly different can work together productively. Process is easy to fix; people and personalities will sink a ship.
So I have to ask – with your hectic schedule, how do you find time to do it all? How do you find balance?
I can’t stand it when people say “I’m so busy”. We are all busy. We all have 24 hours in a day. Nobody is too busy; it’s just a matter of priorities. You can’t do it all. You have to say “no” to the wrong things and “yes” to the right things. The trick is defining what is important to you, staying true to it, and cutting out the rest of the BS…whether it is one-way friendships, commitments that are not fulfilling, or other time wasters that drag you down.
Here’s a fabulous WSJ article “Are you as busy as you think?”
“I don’t have time” or “I’m too busy” really means “it’s not a priority” and that is the dead honest truth.
You say “let’s get together soon” and never follow-up because I’m not important to you. I have time to iron my sheets, I just don’t want to. I don’t go to the doctor because my health is not a priority. Time is a choice. You choose how you spend it. Stop with the “I’m so busy” and choose differently.
What are your favorite workouts?
I love to run, and it’s the only exercise I do on my own. Carolina Barre & Core is my fave workout because it’s stuff I wouldn’t do on my own. It is the best strength training and core workout and I’ve seen real results. Thanks to them I now have 2 abs instead of 1 single ab. I have gotten so much stronger. Group fitness suits me because it keeps me accountable and I have an accountability issue. They have so many different types of classes from classic barre to kick-your-a-double-s-burpees-pushups-weighted-ball-I-wanna-throw-up-cardio.
What advice to you give to the Smarty who has fallen off the exercise wagon and is looking to get back on…and actually stick with it?!
I’m the first to make an excuse not to exercise. I have to constantly and deliberately demand of myself (from the time I open my eyes in the morning): “When am I going to exercise today?” It does not come easy for me and I wish I had a magic formula to share. Motivation is different for everyone. I look at exercise as “What is the one thing I can do today that is for ME?” and the answer is usually “Find a way to sweat”.
Favorite place in Charlotte for a date night?
The Wine Shop at Foxcroft
Favorite website(s) or blog(s)?
Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers, Natalie Mason
Look Linger Love, Chassity Evans
Pawley’s Island Posh, Julia Ryan
What’s something that most people don’t know about you?
I love country music. My radio is always on Sirius XM channels 56 ‘The Highway’ through 60 ‘Outlaw Country’. When running, it’s country in my ear buds.
Favorite thing to do with your family.
We are always outside…badminton, biking on the greenway, running (away from each other), throwing a ball of some sort, and our newest pursuit – snowboarding!
Who is your celebrity crush?
Kyle Chandler, Paul Rudd, Jon Hamm, Taylor Kitsch, Seth Meyers, Peter Quinn on Homeland…RAWR…
Household chore you despise the most?
Bathrooms!
Behavioral trait your hope you’re children don’t inherit from you?
Being so organized and one step ahead that they don’t live in the now and truly bask in today or right now. One day it will all be gone and there will be nothing to organize or plan; I have a bad habit of looking forward and not living in the moment. Also, I pray they are not as neurotic, high strung, impatient, or as massively intolerant of hunger/thirst/sleep deprivation as me.
Household appliance you couldn’t live without?
Dyson vacuum cleaner
Favorite cocktail?
I don’t discriminate…all colors and ethnicities welcome! (except me and Tequila ain’t tight). Cold beer on a hot day. Bourbon at a football game. Wine anytime!
Guilty pleasure?
Staying in my PJs all day and watching junk TV.
