Every week, Macaroni Kid South Shore will introduce you to an amazing, local mom. Nothing makes me happier than supporting incredible women and I am so excited to have the opportunity to introduce you to some of the South Shore's finest!
This week, I introduce you to Kendra Stetson. Kendra wears many hats but most recently, Kendra launched a podcast called "Let's Sip Together" that is as powerful and charming as Kendra herself. A South Shore native, Kendra has experience in so many areas but first and foremost, she is a mom (and an incredible role model) to her two daughters. Read on to learn more about Kendra, ALL that she does, her reason why and of course, her favorite things to do and places to be on the South Shore. Yay, Kendra!
How many kids do you have and how old are they?
I have two daughters, 11 and 8. And our rescue pup, Baron, who just turned 2.
Where do you live and what’s your favorite part about where you live?
I grew up, and currently live in Marshfield. Being near the ocean is my absolute favorite part about living here. I don't think I could ever live somewhere that didn't have a beach! Also, being close to a lot of my family is really, really important to me.
What do you do for fun with your kids on the South Shore? Without your kids?
Most of my family lives in Marshfield, so we spend a lot of time with them. Every Friday night is family pizza night (from Poopsies). We love going to the beach (Green Harbor is our favorite), popping in to one of the local playgrounds, flower picking at Cross Street Flower Farm, attending an MHS event, or cozying up for a movie night or to watch American Idol.
When I'm not with my kids, I love to spend time with friends, read, take a barre class, relax at the beach solo, or watch basically anything on Bravo. LOL. This summer I'm going to attempt paddle boarding (any and all tips welcome!)
Has the South Shore influenced you/your life/ your work at all?
I did leave the South Shore for a time, but I knew that when I had my own children, I wanted to be back in Marshfield. I love our community so much and that has a huge impact on how I spend my time outside of my actual jobs.
You wear so many hats and do so many things but tell us about your newest venture, your podcast “lets sip together” !
Eek! Yes, so over the last year and a half or so, I've been navigating through divorce. In the process, I've learned SO MUCH about myself and life in general. I've also discovered that divorce is one of the (many) things that women often don't talk about. For months, I kept this part of my life extremely quiet. Once I opened up and started talking about it, I was able to connect with so many women and learn from their experiences. In turn, I also helped others by sharing my own stories. Over glasses of wine and cups of coffee, there were lots of laughs, some tears, and A LOT of connecting and (in a weird way) healing. So, "Let's Sip Together" is basically a compilation of my own lessons and stories, as well as conversations with some of the amazing people that have supported me or taught me something that I think is valuable for others to hear too--with coffee or wine mixed in!
Ok now tell us about all of the hats you wear. You do A LOT!
Well, the hat that I'm most proud of is the mom hat. My two daughters are amazing and I'm so proud of them.
Most recently, I was hired as the Community + Events Manager at The Collective Co. in Scituate. The owner, Rachael Meyers, is amazing and has created such a beautiful space, but more importantly, an incredible community, at the CC. I get to support and connect with amazing women every day--how lucky am I?
I've also been working with a Napa based winery, ONEHOPE, for 7 years. I set up wine tasting fundraisers in people's homes or small businesses, where we get to try 5-6 wines and raise money for a nonprofit that's important to my host. This job is what drove me to get my WSET Level 2 wine certification. Basically, I get to combine my love of wine and giving back into a job!
Volunteering my time is also really important to me. I'm in my 7th year on the Marshfield School Committee. Through that position, I'm also in my 7th year serving on the Board of Directors at the PAC (Pilgrim Area Collaborative). I'm a former teacher, so education is something I'm very passionate about.
My youngest daughter has multiple food allergies, so I also do advocacy work with FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education). Over the last few years, I've gotten to work with our local elected leaders on statewide food allergy related legislation and I also traveled down to Washington D.C. to meet with members of Congress to discuss federal allergy related legislation.
This year I also hopped on the steering committee of Grad Nite Live in Marshfield. We're in our 26th year of keeping out students safe on graduation night, by hosting an all night party for the graduating class. I attended Grad Nite Live in 1997, so I want to do my part to ensure this event is still going on when my own girls graduate.
With all of that in mind, talk to us about balance and how you do it all?
Coffee, wine, grace + gratitude, and lots of dry shampoo! Hahah. In all seriousness, I don't. Do any of us really? I always feel like things slip through the cracks! That being said, I'm diligent about planning my weeks on Sundays, and I'm a total sucker for a great paper planner. (I currently use Day Designer and The High Performance Planner.) If I can, getting up before the girls gives me time to wake up and work on myself, before jumping 100% into mom mode. I'm so grateful that I have an amazing support system around me to help with all of the juggling that happens on a daily basis.
Last but not least, your favorite places on the South Shore to:
Eat: Su Casa in Plymouth, Alba in Norwell, Maes Marshfield
Drink: Slacktide Coffee is my favorite, I live off of it. For adults beverages, Rexicana or Alba
Play: Green Harbor Beach, Rexicana, Sandbarre
Don't forget to subscribe and follow along to Kendra's greatest and latest venture! Thank you, Kendra!
