Entrepreneur featured on Hallmark show finds identity beyond motherhood (with help from Connie Britton and her own KC Team Mom)

When Kansas City’s Rochelle Owens answered a message from Hallmark, she had no idea it would launch her into the national spotlight — or transform her life as a single mother and aspiring entrepreneur.

Actress and host Connie Britton leads a conversation with mothers like Rochelle Owens featured on “The Motherhood”; photo by Matt Hoover, Hallmark

Owens is the featured mom in Monday’s episode of The Motherhood, Hallmark’s new reality series created and hosted by actress Connie Britton. 

The heartfelt show celebrates mothers reclaiming their confidence, purpose, and identity with help from a trio of “Neighbor Ladies” — DIY expert Angela Rose, parenting coach Destini Davis, and style expert Taryn Hicks.

Owens’ episode, titled “Team Mom,” centers on a full lifestyle makeover, with key support from two fellow Kansas City businesswomen: Chelsey M., founder of KC Black Owned, and Lenora Leathers, co-founder of Savvy Salon.

“It’s an everyday struggle, but I’m learning to put myself and my desires first,” Owens said.

Click here to stream the episode on Hallmark+.

Rochelle Owens, right, with her sons Owen and Jacob during filming of “The Motherhood”; photo by Matt Hoover, Hallmark

Mom redefined

As a mother of three sons, Owens said, she’s often struggled to balance her business dreams with parenting responsibilities. Her advice to fellow moms: don’t lose sight of your own needs.

“Take a chance on yourself, because when they leave the nest, what am I going to be left with?” she said. “I want to be vibrant, living life and really just taking care of my needs and exploring still.”

What started as creating custom T-shirts and party decor for her sons’ football team became a foundation for her small business, one she’s now working to streamline with help from Chelsey M.

Brian Roberts, Black Pantry, and Chelsey M., KC Black Owned; photo courtesy of KC Black Owned

Business boost with staying power

Chelsey M., who coached Owens through a filmed business consultation at The Black Pantry, is a planner, educator, and entrepreneur known for helping Black-owned businesses grow. On The Motherhood, her role evolved from connector to hands-on business coach.

“We just tried to solidify together: What is the problem and what is the solution for her business? What problem are you trying to solve for consumers?” said Chelsey.

As part of the show, Hallmark gifted Owens a one-year membership to KC Black Owned, but the support didn’t stop there. Chelsey and Owens have remained in touch well after filming.

“We text often,” Chelsey said. “Even after the show, I was able to use her story and talk about how she evolved into a great business owner.”

From Instagram DM to national spotlight

While Chelsey guided the business transformation, Owens’ glam makeover was led by Lenora Leathers, owner of The Savvy Salon. Her involvement started with a surprise Instagram message.

Lenora Leathers, co-founder and CEO of Savvy Salon; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

“She’s like, ‘Hey, we’re filming this show, and I wanted to see if you wanted to be the salon of choice for this makeover through Hallmark?’ And I’m like, ‘This is real?,’” Leathers recalled.

The opportunity marked a full-circle moment for the stylist, who began doing hair at age 13 in her parents’ home. Now, her salon is a featured location on a Hallmark production.

“It was unreal,” Leathers said. “Just me thinking about where I started, leaning clients over the sink … to now having my own salon and hosting a film crew? Unreal.”

Leathers played a hands-on role in Owens’ transformation, ensuring her hair stayed flawless during a dramatic outdoor reveal.

“I was praying,” she laughed. “But when she walked out of that car and not a hair moved out of place, I started crying. She was so happy. She was just speechless.”

Watch a teaser below for The Motherhood, then keep reading.

A revamped space to create and grow

Among the most impactful parts of Owens’ makeover was the renovation of her home workspace that is now redesigned for creativity and productivity.

“I absolutely love my space. I am in that space just about every day,” Owens said. “Before, I was a mommy that was overwhelmed. Now that space could actually be used for what it was meant for — a creative space for me.”

For both Chelsey and Leathers, the experience underscored the importance of empowering women, especially mothers, during life’s most vulnerable transitions.

“You have to put yourself first,” Chelsey said. “Because once they do leave the nest, you’re back to square one.”

“I love giving back to especially moms, because we balance so many things,” added Leathers. “To be a part of her special moment and to make her feel good about herself, it just lit a fire inside of me.”

As the premiere date approaches, all three women are still soaking in the experience — and looking ahead to what doors may open next.

“This is nothing that I wrote on my bucket list,” Leathers said. “It just happened the way that it was supposed to, and no telling what other doors will open just from this moment.”