Mom creates her own digital empire

WARWICK, R.I. (FOX Providence) - One local mom has made a career out of blogging, tweeting and connecting with people and companies via social media.

Audrey McClelland is not your typical "stay-at-home" mom.

"I work from home on my computer, every single day, blogging, Facebook and Twitter, YouTube," said McClelland.

The Warwick mother of four is using social media to create her own digital mommy empire.

"I make videos, I'll review products and I talk about mom fashion advice and mom beauty fashion advice."

And that advice has made her a hot commodity.

"I just got back from New York, I was doing some fashion week things. Next week I'm heading to Los Angeles to meet Jennifer Garner with Frigidaire, then heading to milk moustache campaign in New York City two days later," she explained.

In the "Connect" section of The Providence Journal , Jenna Pelletier takes a closer look at how Audrey balances her booming blogging business, while balancing the craziness of motherhood.

"It's not like she's just logging in for a couple of hours while in her PJs and raking in the money, she's working for hours and hours on her blog and on her videos and pitching ideas to companies," said Jenna Pelletier, a Providence Journal Staff Writer.

"I just do what I have to do right now to get everything done. Because I'm a one-woman show," said McClelland.

Audrey says her success isn't easy.

"Working from home, it is great and has its advantages but it definitely has its struggles too. I don't get to go to an office and get to just do my work from 9 to 5. I have to find and carve out time throughout the day and listen to the chaos of four boys in the background and be ok with that."

But, mixing parenthood and work definitely has its advantages.

"I get to decide when and where I go and if it's going to work for my family."

"She's been able to take her life and create a thriving business out of that," added Pelletier.

Now Audrey is reaching out to encourage other moms to make a similar kind of living.

"The story idea really came from Audrey's new book, "The Digital Mom Handbook." We thought that would be a good occasion to look at this phenomenon of "mom blogging" and the women who are creating businesses from home out of doing this."

And, according to Audrey, anybody can get started.

"Technology is really becoming easier and easier for anybody to figure out how to get online and just do it. I think that the big thing. I think everybody thinks they need to have the best computer or the best camera, but really at the end of the day, it's just logging on and doing it."

And, that's how Audrey's been able to launch a successful career, without missing any of her children's most precious moments.

"They need me and that's why I'm home and everything I do...I'm a digital mom because of them. Everything I do is for them, and they're my inspiration across the board.

Read more about Audrey's success in today's Providence Journal in the "Connect" section.