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Twin Cities Mom Collective

I am a Twin Cites Mom: Yasmin Hyder

Today’s I am a Twin Cities Mom feature is all about Yasmin Hyder – we can’t wait for you to meet her!

“Hello! My name is Yasmin Hyder. I’ve been a franchisee of McDonald’s restaurants for eight years. It’s a family business and together with my dad and husband, we own 17 restaurants in the Twin Cities metro. My job makes me super popular with my four-year-old daughter, who loves Chicken McNugget Happy Meals; we have a lot of Happy Meal toys. My husband and I are also expecting our next kiddo at the end of April.”

I Am a Twin Cities Mom: Yasmin Hyder | Twin Cities Mom Collective

What do you love about calling the Twin Cities home?

It took me a long time and a lot of self exploration to finally acknowledge that I am a Minnesotan. My parents moved to Minnesota when I was about 4 and I spent most of my teenage life plotting on how to escape. I ended up going to Syracuse University (quite probably the only snowier place than Minnesota) and realized I actually loved Minnesota. I would spend my time educating other New Yorkers that Minnesota was in fact a state and no, the airport isn’t a corn field. I met my future husband in college and we moved to our respective homes; Cleveland and Minneapolis. Between these two cities, I had a clear advantage and he also eventually became a Minnesotan. I love that the city is big enough to be exciting and yet accessible, so when the winter is too much, we can easily travel anywhere. It’s family friendly and all 4 seasons are beautiful, even winter.

If we peeked in your purse right now, what would we find?

Most definitely snacks. I am never further than five feet from a piece of chocolate at all times. Given the current times you’d also see hand sanitizer, wipes, lip gloss and hand lotion. I also love poo-pourri. In my travels I have encountered many different types of restrooms and I’ve learned to always be prepared for whatever conditions you may find.

How do you prioritize friendships and connections with other women?

I have found that motherhood in particular was never meant to be a solo act. Motherhood has helped me to create new and find deeper connections with other fellow mamas as the experience requires us to stay connected in order to stay sane. I don’t put pressure on myself that those connections need to look a certain way. Sometimes it’s a quick text, sharing funny post I saw; and when we have the time, lunch with or without the kiddos.

Being a mom is no easy task. How do you relax and take care of you?

I think like most moms I needed to relearn what self-care was and remember just how important it is not only for me, but also for my family. I can’t take care of them if my cup is empty. I am a Zumba instructor, so for me that’s three birds with one stone. It’s good for my mind, body and soul. I also discovered my love for bubble baths, though I usually only get about 10 minutes before my daughter starts knocking on the door. I got to a point where like all things that are important, I needed to block it off and prioritize me time and learn to say no to things that started encroaching in this space.

What’s been your greatest joy in motherhood?

I didn’t realize that I could learn so much from becoming a Mom. When my daughter came along, I had no clue that I had been waiting for her all of my life. She taught me patience, love, sacrifice, what it means to be vulnerable to someone and so much more. She also has renewed my sense of purpose when it comes to be a working Mom. Being a woman and a mom and owning a business is a unique challenge that you can only know and understand when you fill the role. I want to show my girls that women are strong and powerful and that they can do anything.

What have you found most challenging in your motherhood journey?

Balance. Balancing social expectations of motherhood and what is realistic. Balancing work and being a mom. Balancing my relationship with my kids and my husband and myself. Balancing social expectations of what kids should be and what is reality. Our culture is very much about how a woman must be it all and it is so easy to make those the expectations you have for yourself. To have the right job, the right body, the right face, the right kids, etc… To learn to ignore that in favor of what you deem is important is difficult.

How do you hope your life influences and/or inspires other women?

I hope I can serve as an example that being a minority female mother is a strength and that it is possible to do anything you set your heart to. My parents came to this country and had no money and knew nothing of the culture. They overcame adversity to live the American Dream and they did it for me. I use that as my guiding principle and hope that I can be that for my girls as well as for other women.


Twin Cities Favorites

Date Night Restaurant: I love food and the restaurant scene is amazing. I would say Martina and Colita are my celebration favorites.

Best place to hang out and have some fun: I love to grab a fancy cocktail with friends, particularly at the Hewing Hotel.

Local Boutique: I love Fox Run. It’s nearby and I love that the owner showcases different local vendors!

Local Coffee Shop: The Agra Culture Coffee Shop and Cafe in the Minneapolis Institute of Art.


We love having the opportunity to share the personal sides of local Moms of the Twin Cities! If you would like to recommend another local Mom you think should be featured in our I Am a Twin Cities Mom series, please email us at info@twincitiesmom.com.

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