Career
Carly Mazur
in Elmwood Park, IL
Beyond being an educated, charismatic, and beautiful woman; Carly is a triple threat. While many juggle one full-time job, Carly is rocking out a full-time job and two side businesses like a Lady Boss! By day she is a 6th grade Language Arts teacher at Percy Julian Middle School in Oak Park, and on the weekends and in spare moments she is a Real Estate Agent at River Elm Properties in Elmwood Park, and a Rodan + Fields Team Leader of fourteen Consultants. She’s been molding the minds of youth for fourteen years, helping clients find their dream homes for four and half years, and four and half months ago, she decided to push past scary and believe in the idea of “getting paid to wash her face.” I Admire U Carly for believing in your idea of “spending the rest of my life working smarter not harder and living life to the fullest,” and pushing past your comfort zone to succeed at not one, but three jobs. You are a superstar at everything you pursue!
Mom Stats: Two kids: 5-year-old daughter, Cameron; 1-year-old son, Jordan; Married for 7 ½ years Referred By: Donna Marie Post
Mom Stats: Two kids: 5-year-old daughter, Cameron; 1-year-old son, Jordan; Married for 7 ½ years Referred By: Donna Marie Post
Carly in her own words...
1. After having the summer off from school, how do you transition back into the groove as the new school year approaches? Do you have a routine?
When August 1st hits I go into panic mode and I after I pull myself together I make sure all the supplies are bought and organized for my little munchkins. Since my daughter is in a school uniform life has become a lot easier in the morning. The first week is tough with getting out of the house and back into the groove of a set schedule, daycare, school, etc… but it really feels good after that first week is in the books. This year I am really setting a big goal for myself and having all meals prepped for the week, we will see how long it lasts but I can dream big anyhow. My family thrives on routine, we need structure and we need to be out of the house, so when the school year begins we are all happy campers, including my husband who works from home.
2. Fourteen years, two different grades, two different school systems; what keeps you motivated to keep molding the minds of young people?
Like all professions there are many ups and downs with teaching, and trust me on days when I have 110 papers to grade among lesson plans and keeping the students engaged; I take out my calendar and count down the days until the next break. It is usually around that time I will get a sweet e-mail from a parent thanking me for helping their child gain a better appreciation for reading, or I will receive a poem a student wrote for me, or while grading that paper I will see the immense gains a particular student has made, or someone telling me they look forward to my class, and then I realize all over again why I became a teacher. This past school year my team received the Illinois Those Who Excel in Teaching Award and were nominated by a student and his family. It really does just take one thank you like that to make it all worth while.
When August 1st hits I go into panic mode and I after I pull myself together I make sure all the supplies are bought and organized for my little munchkins. Since my daughter is in a school uniform life has become a lot easier in the morning. The first week is tough with getting out of the house and back into the groove of a set schedule, daycare, school, etc… but it really feels good after that first week is in the books. This year I am really setting a big goal for myself and having all meals prepped for the week, we will see how long it lasts but I can dream big anyhow. My family thrives on routine, we need structure and we need to be out of the house, so when the school year begins we are all happy campers, including my husband who works from home.
2. Fourteen years, two different grades, two different school systems; what keeps you motivated to keep molding the minds of young people?
Like all professions there are many ups and downs with teaching, and trust me on days when I have 110 papers to grade among lesson plans and keeping the students engaged; I take out my calendar and count down the days until the next break. It is usually around that time I will get a sweet e-mail from a parent thanking me for helping their child gain a better appreciation for reading, or I will receive a poem a student wrote for me, or while grading that paper I will see the immense gains a particular student has made, or someone telling me they look forward to my class, and then I realize all over again why I became a teacher. This past school year my team received the Illinois Those Who Excel in Teaching Award and were nominated by a student and his family. It really does just take one thank you like that to make it all worth while.
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3. Wow! Outside of you teaching, you invest between twenty to thirty hours into your side businesses. What does a day in the life of Carly look like?
Mass Chaos….The fact that I thought I could get work done with a one-year-old little man running around shows how naïve I can be at times. Seriously though, I wake up at 6 due to my internal alarm clock which usually provides 1 hour for me to work before my kiddos get up for the day. I fit in real estate and Rodan and Fields during nap time, and I try my best to schedule showings once my husband is done with his work day. The great thing about real estate and RF is where there is Wi-Fi I have a business so I can do both from anywhere, and believe me I squeeze it in when I can. We just recently placed a no technology rule in our house from 5:30-8 so our time is focused on family and I am really enjoying the brain break. We are also a no cable family so the time I would spend watching HGTV or Chicago PD, which are the only two shows I will allow myself to watch, I now use that time to get chores and other tasks off my to-do list. Having summers off and holidays is a great way for me to recharge my batteries and tone it down a notch.
4. You shared, “I was watching HGTV and thought to myself, I can do that, real estate looks fun, and two weeks later I was signed up for a six week real estate course. With my 8-month-old daughter in my arms, I would study every night and when I passed my real estate exam I set out the following weekend to meet with brokerages.” How are you so fearless?
I definitely have fears but I am very strong willed and when I put my mind towards something I go for it. I am my biggest critic and when I tell someone I am doing something and held accountable I stick to the plan. I do my research though, I never jump into anything without weighing the pros and cons, and I follow my gut because I have followed my heart and that didn’t work out in the past. My husband teases me at times saying I am a dreamer and I say…”heck yeah,” I am a dreamer and I make those dreams happen.
Mass Chaos….The fact that I thought I could get work done with a one-year-old little man running around shows how naïve I can be at times. Seriously though, I wake up at 6 due to my internal alarm clock which usually provides 1 hour for me to work before my kiddos get up for the day. I fit in real estate and Rodan and Fields during nap time, and I try my best to schedule showings once my husband is done with his work day. The great thing about real estate and RF is where there is Wi-Fi I have a business so I can do both from anywhere, and believe me I squeeze it in when I can. We just recently placed a no technology rule in our house from 5:30-8 so our time is focused on family and I am really enjoying the brain break. We are also a no cable family so the time I would spend watching HGTV or Chicago PD, which are the only two shows I will allow myself to watch, I now use that time to get chores and other tasks off my to-do list. Having summers off and holidays is a great way for me to recharge my batteries and tone it down a notch.
4. You shared, “I was watching HGTV and thought to myself, I can do that, real estate looks fun, and two weeks later I was signed up for a six week real estate course. With my 8-month-old daughter in my arms, I would study every night and when I passed my real estate exam I set out the following weekend to meet with brokerages.” How are you so fearless?
I definitely have fears but I am very strong willed and when I put my mind towards something I go for it. I am my biggest critic and when I tell someone I am doing something and held accountable I stick to the plan. I do my research though, I never jump into anything without weighing the pros and cons, and I follow my gut because I have followed my heart and that didn’t work out in the past. My husband teases me at times saying I am a dreamer and I say…”heck yeah,” I am a dreamer and I make those dreams happen.
"I read a quote that stated, “Fear kills more dreams than failure does,” and it resonated with me. The magic happens when you step out of your comfort zone and go for it."
5. You are a machine! Four and a half months ago, on top of teaching and real estate, you became a Rodan + Fields Consultant. What drove you to add an extra layer to your already full plate?
When it was suggested to me that I pursue a side job with Rodan + Fields I didn’t pay much attention because I didn’t think I had the time or energy for it. It wasn’t until I started using the products and seeing a major transformation in my skin that I realized this was too great of an opportunity to pass up. I was intrigued by the business model and the growth was impressive and I didn’t want to look back with regrets that I missed the ship when it sailed. This is by far the best business decision I have made for myself and my family. I am full sails ahead and enjoying the ride.
6. In a short period of time, you have grown your R + F business to being a Team Leader with an impressive fourteen Consultants on your team. What is your secret sauce to turning a side gig into a success?
My thoughts are when you are passionate about something, along with drive, will bring you success. Excitement and positivity is contagious and when I am talking about this side business turned retirement plan, I am beyond excited to share. This has been a blessing and I want everyone I know to be educated, so if it feels right for them, they can join along. I have learned so much about myself through this biz and the personal and professional development has been remarkable. I honestly feel like I am investing in myself and others and it feels so good to add likeminded women on my team of rock stars.
When it was suggested to me that I pursue a side job with Rodan + Fields I didn’t pay much attention because I didn’t think I had the time or energy for it. It wasn’t until I started using the products and seeing a major transformation in my skin that I realized this was too great of an opportunity to pass up. I was intrigued by the business model and the growth was impressive and I didn’t want to look back with regrets that I missed the ship when it sailed. This is by far the best business decision I have made for myself and my family. I am full sails ahead and enjoying the ride.
6. In a short period of time, you have grown your R + F business to being a Team Leader with an impressive fourteen Consultants on your team. What is your secret sauce to turning a side gig into a success?
My thoughts are when you are passionate about something, along with drive, will bring you success. Excitement and positivity is contagious and when I am talking about this side business turned retirement plan, I am beyond excited to share. This has been a blessing and I want everyone I know to be educated, so if it feels right for them, they can join along. I have learned so much about myself through this biz and the personal and professional development has been remarkable. I honestly feel like I am investing in myself and others and it feels so good to add likeminded women on my team of rock stars.
7. For both of your side opportunities, networking is key. What are your best networking tips? What is your favorite networking event?
Tip #1 – BE YOURSELF! I am not selling reading, writing, real estate, and skincare...I am educating. I am being true to myself and true to others. People trust you and believe in you when you are honest and real and I am confident that is why networking has worked for me. My network sees me as a friend, mom, teacher, someone that likes to travel and have fun, and everyone can connect with one of those titles. When I meet people I treat them like a friend, not a potential client. Listening to what others have going on in their life and hearing their story is so important. I want to gain that respect and trust before they hear my story.
8. What nugget of advice would you share with a woman who is nervous about starting a side business or exploring a second career opportunity?
If ANYTHING sparks your interest in the least bit, if you have dreams of your own business, a plan you would like to do “SOMEDAY”…Go for it! Make it happen now… There is always the “Someday I will do that” scenario and someday comes and goes and then you have regrets. Life is about going after your dreams and taking risks. I read a quote that stated, “Fear kills more dreams than failure does,” and it resonated with me. The magic happens when you step out of your comfort zone and go for it. I am so blessed I have been able to do so and see what was out there waiting for me.
"When I meet people I treat them like a friend, not a potential client. Listening to what others have going on in their life and hearing their story is so important. I want to gain that respect and trust before they hear my story."
9. You are a very busy woman. I’m curious what’s next for you?
WOW! The only other career that sparks my interest is interior design and I may possibly find a way to squeeze that in down the road when I am working smarter and not harder. I have a children’s book I have been writing and it has taken the back seat but I plan to finish that this year. My dream is to be present with my family and enjoy the little and big events as they happen. I need to stay grounded and remember they are the reason I am doing all I do and they are my reason I truly wake up with so much gratitude in my heart.
10. I Admire U, who do you admire?
My mom – she raised us on her own and worked several jobs and many hours to make sure we had everything we needed. She taught me everything I know about work ethic.
My brother - The word Hero is often thrown around and I can honestly say he is the closest person I personally know to fit that category. Several tours in Iraq fighting for our country and he is home back safe which is a blessing to everyone that knows him.
My husband - Did I tell you that he is 5 years younger than me and has been sweeping me off my feet since we first met. He is an old soul and was born to do big things. Not only is he very romantic, smart, creative, handy, the funniest person I know, and driven, but he is a 110% family man and devotes so much into all of us.
Marissa Mortensen - At the young age of 14, she started her own non-for-profit for children suffering from cancer and continues to dedicate all her time and money into this beautiful foundation. Hope For Children restores hope, brings smiles, and spreads loves to kids fighting cancer. She is my children’s babysitter and I am in awe at her giving heart.
WOW! The only other career that sparks my interest is interior design and I may possibly find a way to squeeze that in down the road when I am working smarter and not harder. I have a children’s book I have been writing and it has taken the back seat but I plan to finish that this year. My dream is to be present with my family and enjoy the little and big events as they happen. I need to stay grounded and remember they are the reason I am doing all I do and they are my reason I truly wake up with so much gratitude in my heart.
10. I Admire U, who do you admire?
My mom – she raised us on her own and worked several jobs and many hours to make sure we had everything we needed. She taught me everything I know about work ethic.
My brother - The word Hero is often thrown around and I can honestly say he is the closest person I personally know to fit that category. Several tours in Iraq fighting for our country and he is home back safe which is a blessing to everyone that knows him.
My husband - Did I tell you that he is 5 years younger than me and has been sweeping me off my feet since we first met. He is an old soul and was born to do big things. Not only is he very romantic, smart, creative, handy, the funniest person I know, and driven, but he is a 110% family man and devotes so much into all of us.
Marissa Mortensen - At the young age of 14, she started her own non-for-profit for children suffering from cancer and continues to dedicate all her time and money into this beautiful foundation. Hope For Children restores hope, brings smiles, and spreads loves to kids fighting cancer. She is my children’s babysitter and I am in awe at her giving heart.
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