Downloading support from fellow working moms.

When you “hit the mother lode” it’s loosely defined as “to produce or find something that will make you very rich, happy, or successful.” When you “unload” on someone, that essentially means you’re pouring your feelings and thoughts out to them (good, bad, or anything in between).

I vividly remember brainstorming ideas for what the name of my new working moms group would be called, with my fellow working mom friend and colleague Cece F. Quinn—the ultimate wordsmith herself!

Mother lode…mother unload…mother download…MOTHER UPLOAD! That’s it!

The name really speaks for itself. The Mother Upload is a place where working moms can positively share their experiences with one another, a place where they can connect with those that are so aligned with their challenges and season of life, a place that brings you richness and happiness through these relationships

I had the idea for this concept, group, club, whatever you want to call it, after I had my firstborn Gwenyth. She was brand new and so was my company! I remember bringing Gwenyth to the office with me when she was just weeks old, nursing or pumping in between meetings, and having my team help me out when I needed it most.

After having her and trying to figure out my new norm, I constantly thought:

How do moms do it all?
How do they have dinner on the table at a decent time after a long day of work?
How do they stay on top of laundry?
What happens if your child is sick and you have a work deadline?
How do they make time for themselves? (ha!)

I wondered if other working moms felt this way, too. So I decided to text some of my closest working mom friends and take a pulse on if they’d be interested in attending a monthly moms group meeting. A (working) moms’ group without kids—what a concept! LOL. So on June 14th, 2018, Mother Upload was born.

We met at The Tasting Room on Palm & Nees (in Fresno) and went around the table and introduced ourselves—what we do, how many kiddos we have, and then discussed a timely topic. Since its inception, that’s still the case. It’s casual, it’s non-committal, and if you can’t make it, it’s okay! Of all people, we understand! I send out an email every month for ladies to save the date. There’s a small fee to RSVP (to cover the cost of food/drink) and that’s it. It’s usually every second Thursday evening of the month at a fun location.

Over the years, I’ve met so many amazing women through this group, many that have become what I think will be lifelong friends. So many new faces have taught me, and the other women, new ways to get things done, how to make the most of our time, and great childcare recommendations—because as working moms, we know that’s so important.

If you’re interested in connecting with other local working moms, then you’ve found your place. To be added to the email list for future Mother Upload gatherings, simply visit my Instagram page @raepardinimatson for link in bio.

Features Contributor Rae Pardini Matson, Founder & CEO of RPM PR

Rae Pardini Matson

Features Contributor

Rae is the founder, #momboss and name behind RPM, determined to put businesses on the map through innovative PR. She lived in Los Angeles for years, gaining experience in media on a global scale with Sony Pictures, People Magazine and more. That experience, combined with the drive to create a flexible workplace for like-minded creative professionals in her native Central Valley, is the inspiration behind RPM PR. Rae leads the team and mission every day as a proud working mother, which lead her to found the Mother Upload (#motherupload) -- a group empowering and celebrating local moms in the workforce. She has a natural instinct for connecting people, a creative mind, and the poise and personability to keep clients coming back for more.