February 2021 Spotlight Mom | Talethea Thompson

Please tell us a little about your family.

I have 4 kids... Julien - 26, Maya - 22, Mikayla - 16, Tiera - 14

What inspired you to start Pump Five?

I became inspired to start PumpFive when I was working as a contractor Amazon Flex, DoorDash, Uber and Lyft. I'd figured out how to make the money I needed to contribute to my household by only working 20 to 25 hours a week. The problem was, since I was doing so much driving, I spent lots of time stopping at the gas station. I was sitting in my car at an intersection right across from the gas station when the gas indicator light came on. Yet, I STILL didn't feel like stopping for gas. So, I wondered. "Why couldn't someone bring the gas to me"? Then, I thought, "I can do that!" And that was the beginning of PumpFive. I HATED having to stop at the gas station. For some reason, those extra 10 to 15 minutes mattered in by busy life. Especially when my kids were younger. Paying at the pump was easier. But, if I ever had to stop at night with my kids in the car and go in to pay cash in the COLD, it sucked! 

How do you get new clients? Have certain ways worked better than others?

We mostly get new clients by word-of-mouth which, by far, has worked the best. I've also recently started recruiting for our Ambassador Program which would actually be a great fit for moms. They can do it full time or part time. They would be able to become Independent Contractors and enroll new members to the PumpFive Family. They'd get paid $19.99 per new member enrolled. 

What's your advice for other moms that hope to own their own business in the future?

My advice for moms hoping to start a business in the future is to do it! Lol! I wish I'd followed my desire years ago to become an entrepreneur. The flexibility is PRICELESS! Even if they start something on the side, the tax benefits, extra income and skills developed have been great assets to my life. 

Do you have a favorite place to go in Milwaukee?

My favorite place in Milwaukee to go would be the Lake. I love sitting and looking at the water. It's beautiful and literally looks just a little different every time I see it.

Do you have any words of advice for other moms, especially new moms?

Advice for new moms... enjoy the time when they are little. It doesn't seem like it but the time just FLIES by. Discipline in love... natural consequences are great teachers. Spend tons more time celebrating the good stuff, their wins than you do working on or focused on their mistakes. They're your kids. You are one of the most important people in their lives, they really are trying to please you. Let them. Lastly, you can't spoil babies. Lol! Cuddle them. They just miss you. 

What is the best part about being connected with Working Moms of Milwaukee?

The resources have been most helpful to me with being connected with Working Moms. I love being able to network with other moms that will completely understand the chaos and levels of multitasking needed to be a successful mom. 

Do you have any plans for Black History Month?

In the past for Black History Month we've really focused a lot on African American History. We hadn't really focused much on African history before the slave trade... which is kinda sad. The part of black history that focuses on their experiences after the slave trade don't show just how resourceful, bountiful and innovative African countries were before the people were stolen and brought to other countries. The people stealing Africans didn't steal slaves, they stole doctors, teachers and engineers. Then, they brought them here and made them slaves. I hadn't considered that before. So, that's what we will be focusing on during Black History Month... African cultures and ways of life before the slave trade.