Main Street Moms on the Move ~ September 2016
By Katie Moosbrugger
This September, we’re excited to introduce you to three moms who are always on the move – in their careers, with their families, and in their communities. Many thanks to Anitra, Kelly and Kim for sharing their stories with you all today.
If you know a local mom who should be profiled as a Moms on the Move, email me HERE. I’d love to get to know them!
Anitra Mitchell
Nearly ten years ago I remember sitting at a park playground with Anitra, and while we watched our kids play, she told me she was itching to start a business. Fast forward to today, Anitra is the proud owner of Mainstream Boutique, a thriving women’s clothing boutique in Winston-Salem. What first began in her basement has now grown into a large brick-and-mortar store in the central shopping district near Thruway.
Anitra is a partner with her mother, Charlotte, on this entrepreneurial venture, and one year ago they opened a second location in Mooresville, NC. Anitra buys for both locations and heads up the Winston-Salem store; her mother oversees the Mooresville location. Her husband, Brad, is co-owner of the store and manages the business side of things.
Anitra says Mainstream Boutique is different from other clothing boutiques because they make it a point to set themselves apart. “We are constantly searching for fabrics and styles that are comfortable, unique and stylish – and most importantly – affordable. We closely follow trends while keeping our customers in mind so they can look and feel their best,” she said.
Anitra and Brad are parents to Cooper (12) and Turner (8). Before starting Mainstream Boutique, Anitra was a full-time stay-at-home mom, a gift she says she is grateful for. “I grew up watching my mother work very hard while loving what she did. I never felt deprived of time or love from her. Being able to show my children there’s a time to work and a time to play is a gift I pray they will appreciate later in life.”
Having two young children and two stores does not leave many extra hours in a day, but Anitra (and her husband) make a point to support and give back to as many local groups, schools, churches, fund raisers and charities as possible. When she does have a spare moment, Anitra loves to workout, read, paddleboard, travel with her family, and sleep!
Kelly Leggett, MD, MHA
I’m thrilled to introduce a friend who’s been making a difference for women for over a decade in the Triad, and for years before that in NY. Kelly is an obstetrician/gynecologist who was recently been named Clinical Transformation Officer at Cone Health in Greensboro. This position is the best of both worlds because not only is Kelly able to practice medicine, but she also helps the hospital identify ways to better deliver health care.
As a board-certified OB/GYN, Kelly loves her job. “It never gets old helping bring life into the world,” Kelly says. “I always feel privileged to be part of a couple’s pregnancy and birth.”
Kelly has lived in the Triad for almost 12 years. Originally from High Point, Kelly has also lived on Long Island, but she returned to this area after realizing she was truly a Southern girl at heart.
As a wife to Jim and mother to Declan (12), Harrison (11) and Clare (6), work-life balance is a challenge to Kelly like it is with just about every working mother. “I am a much better mother, wife, friend, and physician if I take care of a few basic needs of my own first. For me this is a good night’s sleep, 45 minutes of exercise on most days, and a clean kitchen.” Kelly adds that making healthy food choices is the best way to stay well, maintain your energy, and be a positive role model for good nutrition with your kids.
When not working, volunteering, traveling or doing arts and crafts, you can find Kelly with her family doing/visiting some of things she loves best about Greensboro: the Greensboro Science Center, biking around Lake Brandt and the Greenway, eating outside (Mac’s Speed Shop, Lucky 32), swimming anywhere, trips to craft stores, eating ice cream (Bruster’s) and drinking coffee (Green Bean).
Kim Black
Otherwise known as “Miss Kim,” Kim Black has been known and loved in the Burlington area as a dance instructor for 30 years. For years she was the dance team coach at Turrentine Middle School. Today she is a Healthful Living teacher at The Burlington School she leads children ages 3-14 in creative movement, sports, activities, and more. She teaches dance at Burlington Dance Center, she especially loves teaching the little ones. “I get to turn little girls (and boys) into ballerinas! I love using imagination, creating stories, and watching young children fall in love with dance.”
Kim and her husband Fred are proud parents to Jacob Ingle (23), Will Ingle (19), Hannah (Black) Morgan(22) and Walker Black (11). Their family also hosts South Korean students through Lee Brothers under the direction of Grand Master Sang Ho Lee. Last summer they hosted five boys, two girls this past January, and three boys this summer.
Just recently, Kim reached two goals she set for herself this year. She finished her children’s book “The Friend Garden” and filmed her next two Ballet/Creative Movement DVDs. She hopes they will be released this fall. For information about her book and/or DVD please visit her website www.misskimdance.com. Kim is also thrilled to be dancing in this year’s Little Pink Houses of Hope Gala. She, along with her partner Willy Fisher, have already raised $12,000 for this amazing breast cancer cause.
While dance has allowed Kim to be at home with her children when they were little, it also demands she is away during the evening hours which has been hard. “It is most definitely a balancing act. I love being at the same school as my son Walker. I have a wonderful husband and family that helps me every day. My mother cooks on Tuesdays and my mother-in-law cooks on Wed! I also live for the weekends with my family.”
