Balancing work, family, and personal well-being is tough—throw in single parenthood, and it can feel like a full-blown circus act. If you’ve ever wondered how to manage it all without completely losing your mind, this episode of SmarterWellth is for you. We sat down with CeCe Benson, an entrepreneur, dancer, and single mom of four, to talk about what balance really looks like when you’re spinning all the plates.
Spoiler alert: It doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly.
CeCe wears many hats—founder of The Vibe (a pre-professional dance training program) and Rooted Movement Collective (a company using dance to teach history and advocate for justice). Add in single motherhood, and you’d think she must have superpowers. But CeCe keeps it real—balance isn’t about having everything in perfect harmony; it’s about choosing what matters most in each season.
“Balance doesn’t mean perfection. It means prioritizing what truly matters.”
Instead of trying to “do it all,” CeCe focuses on what truly moves the needle—whether that’s for her businesses, her kids, or her own mental health. And guess what? Some seasons are messy. Some seasons are exhausting. And that’s okay.
One of the biggest lessons CeCe has learned? Asking for help is not a weakness—it’s a survival strategy.
“I have an amazing community that helps me make this work. My kids don’t go to daycare full-time, so I rely on a combination of a nanny, friends, and people who believe in what I’m doing. And yes, I had to actually ask for that help.”
This is a powerful reminder for single moms (or any overwhelmed parents out there): You don’t have to do it all alone. Finding and building your support system is key to staying sane and making it all work.
Let’s be honest—mom guilt is real. The pressure to be everything, do everything, and never drop a ball can be crushing. CeCe shared how she manages those emotions:
“You can have it all, just not all at once.”
She reminds us that some months are family-heavy, and some are career-focused. And that’s okay. February is a particularly crazy time for her business with Black History Month tours and performances. Still, she balances it by carving out intentional time with her kids later in the year.
Beyond just managing logistics, CeCe finds deep meaning in her work. With Rooted Movement Collective, she’s reshaping how history is taught—through dance. Her performances take audiences through 300 years of American history, highlighting the connection between Black culture, social movements, and the evolution of dance.
“Every dance form, especially in the Black and Brown community, is an outpouring of history. Something political happened, and people turned to dance for healing and identity.”
This passion fuels her through the long hours and tough moments. She knows she’s not just running a business—she’s changing lives.
Whether you’re a single parent, a business owner, or just someone trying to keep all the plates in the air, CeCe’s journey offers some powerful takeaways:
✅ Prioritize what truly matters—Not everything is urgent. Some things can wait.
✅ Build a community—You don’t have to do it alone. Ask for help.
✅ Let go of guilt—Some seasons are career-heavy, some are family-heavy, and that’s okay.
✅ Find purpose in your work—When your work fuels you, it’s easier to manage the chaos.
✅ Trust the process—Growth often happens in the messiest moments.
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