Meet a Mom – Gina DiGiacomo | FairfieldMoms

We meet so many moms everyday, especially now being apart of FairfieldMoms. When I met Gina, I knew we’d have to feature her in some aspect. She is a big crafter, so I met her at an AR Workshop class, and have seen her there more then once with her daughter; Gabby. Very personable, knows a ton of people as we played the who do you know game and come to find out we are both from Long Island!   She is very big into her kids’ sports; baseball, lacrosse and cheer, running her own team of independent consultants with Rodan and Fields, and then on top of it all, is the Dean at Fairfield Warde High School. Gina DiGiacomo was a no-brainer as a Meet a Mom to highlight!

 

Where are you originally from and how long have you been in the area?

Milford, CT

I have been in Fairfield for 15 years

 

Children / Age(s)

Charlie 16

Roman 14

Gabriella 11

 

One thing people would be surprised to know about you?

My favorite hobby is scrap-booking.

 

One thing you wish someone would have told you about motherhood?

11-18 year old children are way harder than raising babies or toddlers.

 

Favorite local things to do in Fairfield?

Fairfield Beach

Shopping all the small business in town from Greenfield Hill to downtown

Restaurant hopping

 

What’s your favorite thing about raising a family in Fairfield?

The Fairfield community is active, involved, invested and conscious.  My life in Fairfield hasn’t always been idyllic but I have always felt the love, support and generosity in this community. Neighbors in this community are very quick to pick you up.

 

Do you have a favorite family friendly restaurant?  Date night?

hmmmmmmm this is so tough we have so many great options in Fairfield.

I have never felt that a restaurant is not kid friendly in town so my choices are more of a reflection of what keeps all my kids happy lol

Family Friendly– Flipside, The Little Pub, Colony Pizza, Brick and Wood

Date night– Martel, Barcelona

 

What is your go-to activity for your family?  For yourself?

Our schedule is pretty fulfilled with watching each other participate in sports.  Weekends are packed with watching baseball doubleheaders, lacrosse games, cheer competitions. Typically we wrap up the day with a meal out in Fairfield at one of our favorite spots. No complaints!! Our schedule allows us to see and interact with so many local friends that live throughout town.

 

Funniest part that you’ve learned about parenthood?

I wish I kept a journal of all the funny things my children said. They are so interesting and have such rich opinions and thoughts. I love to take downtime to just sit and be with them, let them guide the conversation.

 

Name one thing you regret when learning the ropes of parenthood and what you learned from it?

It has to be quality over quantity!!!  I was consumed with making sure my children experienced everything  music, religion, sports, activities and more sports. I spent the younger years stressing about summer camp sign ups, driving all over, waking them up and packing bags for the next thing.  Looking back it was always the friendships that my children enjoyed and the downtime/unscheduled time where they grew and had the most self development.

 

Tell us about your job, when & why you started, and the reason behind it?

My current job is Dean at Fairfield Warde High School.   I was a School Counselor at Fairfield Warde for 12 years prior to becoming a dean. I love my job and my role in young people’s lives. People typically question my decision to live in and work in the same town which can present challenges but I truly feel blessed to be able to make an impact in our community. I am fully invested in the town of Fairfield, especially the families in our beautiful town.

I also have an energetic and inspiring team of the most awesome people in my Rodan and Fields business!!

 

If you hadn’t been in this business, what do you think you would be doing today?

I worked for the NY JETS, the NBA and as an Assistant Athletic Director at Hofstra University where I got to combine my passion for athletics and business.  I have thought about returning to this profession as my children get older but the opportunity to help humans is void. I think I am doing what I am supposed to be doing now.

 

When did you start selling Rodan & Fields and why? How does starting and growing a business work when you have children and another demanding job?

I joined R&F three years ago.  The opportunity fulfilled my original goal (extra cash for my family) but also fulfilled me in ways I didn’t know I was missing.  Owning my own R&F business satisfied my craving for a business career again, introduced me to a community of women that lift each other up and provided financial freedom I underestimated.

 

BUT my R&F business also made my children sit up and pay attention.  They see me hustling to provide resources for them, working to help my team also provide for their  families. They watch me present to large groups, train and learn new things and continue to work on self improvement.  They ask questions about my business, they help each other when mom has an event or meeting with prospects, they see their role in making my business successful.  They are also my favorite people to hug and talk to when I run into a disappointment. We celebrate milestones and accomplishments together!!

 

Best advice for moms who experience the inevitable MOM GUILT handling a career and a family?

My career(s) has given my children the independence, self confidence and resilience they need to become happy, empathetic, confident and productive young people and young adults. At an early age they have learned to rely on each other and others, communicate their feeling and articulate their needs. They have often expressed their admiration for what my husband and I do day in and day out to help this family be the best versions of themselves.  My two sons and my daughter see me as an equal to my husband and they proceed through their lives understanding women are equal to men.

 

Who has most influenced you to be the mother that you are today?

My mother was the CEO of my house growing up.  She was a business owner in a male dominated construction industry.  She was a class mom, soccer mom, PTA mom and the glue that kept the operation moving. She taught me from a young age, without me knowing it was even a lesson, that women can do everything and MORE.

 

What advice would you share with a new mom or other moms?

Be kind to yourself and accept the help of others.  Find your tribe and love them hard!!

Join The Fairfield CT Moms Network Community

Stay up-to-date with what is happening in-and-around Fairfield, CT with local events, community highlights, and exclusive deals.