Building An Empire: New Lenox Woman's Business Taking Off

NEW LENOX, IL — New Lenox resident Erin Genis, a mother of four, has been often told by others that she isn't your average mama. So, when Genis decided to start her own business, she certainly wasn't about to start with something average.

Not Your Mama's Trailer is Genis' take on offering a unique bar and dessert experience, plus a whole lot more. Customers can book one of Genis' restored and customized horse trailers to come out to their special event for a wide range of party options, from a mobile bar serving alcohol or mocktails, to photo shoots using the trailers and theme-specific backdrops and furniture provided by Not Your Mama's Trailer for capturing those special moments.

The idea for Not Your Mama's Trailer came to Genis around this past Memorial Day, she said. Genis' children are now getting older and less dependent on her at home, so she wanted to start transitioning away from the licensed daycare she had been running out of her New Lenox home.

Genis came up with the idea of offering a bar and dessert truck where she could bring the party to her customers, as hosting has always come easy for her, she said. She brought the idea to a family member, who told Genis about a pair of sisters in Indiana who were looking to sell their own similar business.

Genis quickly seized on the opportunity, contacting the Indiana sisters that Memorial Day weekend. By July she had her first trailer, which she calls Diamond.

Within two months, Genis purchased her second trailer — a black version of Diamond that she calls Stripes — which will enable her to handle twice the amount of bookings she's already been receiving.

Genis currently has family members working with her at Not Your Mama's Trailer, and she said that those family members share in Genis' passion and enthusiasm.

Genis is no stranger to the hard work involved in running her own business. In order to make ends meet as a young adult starting a family, she often worked multiple jobs at a time. And it was when she became a manager at one of those jobs that she said she found her secret for successfully managing not only others but herself, too: Show others that you're willing to work just as hard alongside them, and they will follow along, she said.

"You're not going to get production out of people if you're just sitting at the desk doing nothing," Genis said. "So, I was always out working with them. And I discovered that if they see me working then, they're going to want to work, too."

That strong work ethic has paid off for Genis, as she's already been solidly booking events through this year, and continues to book even more events and parties and furniture rental into next year, too.

"I just really believe — I don't care where you come from, who you are — we all have the same amount of hours in a day, and anyone can do anything they put their mind to. I really do," Genis said.

Those interested in learning more about Not Your Mama's Trailer or booking the business for their next event can visit the business' website via this link. People can also see more of Not Your Mama's Trailer here on Facebook, and here on Instagram.

Not Your Mama's Trailer also takes inquires and bookings by phone at (877) 689-MAMA (6262), or by email at notyourmamastrailer@gmail.com.