Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Murray.
Hi Alicia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey started in a very relatable place while I was trying to balance a demanding job, raising young kids, and still getting dinner on the table every night. I was a busy mom juggling a corporate career while working toward my MBA, and I knew I wasn’t alone in feeling stretched thin. Baking became my creative outlet, and I began sharing birthday cakes I made for my children’s birthdays. That expanded to simple, family-friendly recipes to help other moms who were in the same season of life.
What started as a personal blog slowly grew as I realized how many people were looking for easy, approachable meals. Over the years, I leaned into my background in journalism, photography, and marketing to build Balancing Motherhood into a trusted resource for busy families. I’ve written over 1,000 recipes, and grown a loyal community of readers and followers across social media.
Today, I get to do what I love while working from my home office — create recipes, connect with home cooks, and help moms feel more confident. Whether it’s a five-ingredient crockpot dinner or a nostalgic dessert, I want every recipe to feel like a win, even on the busiest days.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It certainly wasn’t easy. When I made the leap and quit my corporate job to focus on the blog full time, but I quickly realized it was going to take longer than I expected to replace my income. So I made the tough decision to go back to work while continuing to build the blog on the side — often squeezing it in early in the morning, late at night, during lunch breaks, and in my downtime on weekends.
Then COVID hit, and everything changed. My job sent everyone home, and I suddenly had more flexibility during the day. At the same time, everyone was cooking at home again, and traffic to my blog increased dramatically. That period gave me the opportunity and momentum I needed. The blog started generating consistent income, and I was able to quit my job again — this time for good.
It’s been a journey full of highs and lows, but every challenge helped shape the business into what it is today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Balancing Motherhood?
Balancing Motherhood is a food and lifestyle website that helps busy families get dinner on the table with less stress. I focus on easy, approachable recipes using simple ingredients that real families already have on hand. From quick weeknight dinners to comforting desserts, everything is designed to be doable, even on the busiest days.
I specialize in crockpot meals, 30-minute dinners, and family favorites that bring get the family together at the table. What makes Balancing Motherhood different is the connection I’ve built with my audience. My readers know they can trust the recipes, and they appreciate the encouragement and real-life approach I bring to every post.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of growing a supportive, loyal community and turning the blog into a trusted go-to for home cooks. Whether it’s through recipes, weekly menu plans that I send in email, or helpful tips, my goal is to make cooking feel easier and more enjoyable for families everywhere.
How do you define success?
For me, success isn’t just about numbers or pageviews (although that’s important!). It’s about creating something from scratch. After working hard for more than 25 years in corporate America, I get to call the shots now. I decide how much I work and where I focus my energy. That kind of freedom is something I don’t take for granted.
Success also means knowing that the work I do is helping others. If one busy mom feels less stressed at dinnertime because she found a recipe on my site that her whole family enjoyed, that feels like a win.
I’m also proud to be able to employ others and offer flexible schedules, which I know is so important when you’re trying to balance motherhood and a career. To me, success is about freedom, impact, and building a business that aligns with my values and supports my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://balancingmotherhood.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebalancingmom
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/BalancingMotherhood
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciamurray/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BalancingMotherhood
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebalancingmom
Image Credits
Tiffany D. Brown
