The beginning of Truly Mom ::
When asked how the business began, I always smile. Because like all good ideas, it was born while sharing a cup of coffee with friends. Michelle, Kim and I were having a coffee together after dropping our children off at school. Michelle had recently recovered from cancer and while looking at all the people rushing in and out of door at a frenetic rate turned to us and commented life should not be about the “rush” but rather enjoying the simple things in life, those things she desperately missed while laying in a hospital bed. The conversation moved into if mothers could organize their days more efficiently they would be able to enjoy more of those things that bring them the greatest joys. We were in agreement this wonder product would have to be like “an office on the go.” Two days later we had made 30 “prototypes” of what we thought would help our friends, the busy mothers of today be able to better organize their days. The planners were made as gifts, constructed out of chipboard and book cloth with the goal -an organized day equates to time spent doing things that fuel your spirit. (This is the short version of our story. The actual story is one of friendship, family, healing, inspiration, hope and many blessings along the way. Whitney, I am sincere in saying we cannot believe this incredible journey we are on! Everyday brings the offer of a new challenge to overcome and possibility of something wonderful to happen.)
iknowamom :: I know there are four of you. What is your role in the company?
maria :: With all new businesses, I wear many hats but mainly I draw and handle the correspondence. I have always loved to draw; together with Kristin and Michelle we develop and design invitations and boxed stationery. (We have 25 custom stationery books in stores throughout the US). I spend most of my days answering our emails, corresponding with our showrooms, sales reps and customers and drawing everything from giraffes to starfish.
iknowamom :: That sounds fun! What does a typical day look like for you? What does your daily work/life balance look like?
maria :: I am fortunate enough to begin my day before the sun rises. (A fact that keeps my family in constant amazement since I have never been an early riser!) I pick up two of my close friends at 5:15am and head off to the Rose Bowl where we attend an outdoor exercise class. This time is just for me, spent with friends, I finish and walk into a quiet house and pour myself a cup of coffee. This is a terrific way to begin the day for certain! A normal workday begins after dropping the children off at school in the morning and ends when we pick them up from school. After they go to bed I am back on the computer or sitting at my desk drawing.
iknowamom :: What keeps you from giving up when you are frustrated or run into a problem?
maria :: We face frustrations and obstacles with the attitude “there is always a path, the challenge is to find it!” (And then we laugh, the kind of laughter that has you holding your stomach and tears running down your cheeks!) This is Michelle’s’ favorite saying and one that we have all adopted. There have been plenty of challenges presented to four mothers with a growing business and no manufacturing or retail experience, but so far we have found the paths through.
iknowamom :: What inspires you?
maria :: My husband and my children are a constant source of inspiration. They celebrate the successes both large and small along with me. It brings me such joy to see them proud of our business. Last May we attended the National Stationery Show in New York City for the first time. We were four mothers a long way from home! At the end of each evening we would walk to Time Square, park ourselves in front of the web cam, enabling our families to see us on the computer and we’d wave while talking to them on the telephone. It gave us the inspiration we needed to go through another day in the absence of tucking the children into bed at night.
iknowamom :: What is your favorite product in the Truly Mom collection?
maria :: It is hard for me to determine what product is a favorite. The planner has sincerely helped me get through the busiest of days. Completing the “my day” list allows me to sleep better at night knowing all that I have to accomplish is recorded for me! Truth be told, Whitney, I think our “Thanking out of the box” just may be my favorite out of our line. (Michelle and her sister Kristin came up with the concept while driving from LA to Arizona last year! I am always telling them to go take a drive in the car, some of our most popular lines of stationery were developed with those two on the road!) I like sending people notes letting them know they are appreciated. To me “thanking out of the box” does just that! We have plans to expand the line, something that I am looking forward to!
iknowamom :: I can vouch for the Thanking out of the Box card set. They are beautiful. It is the first product I noticed when I was shopping at a nearby boutique. I love it that they use more creative phrases than "thank you" and the quality of the paper + ribbon they use is very nice. What is the one piece of advice you would give to moms thinking about starting their own business or are in the beginning stages?
maria :: My advice is to act on your dream whatever it is! I am a firm believer if you embark on the journey, the answers and the help you desire will follow, but you must take the first step, stay positive and ask for help when it is needed. There are countless resources available to women. The mom-to-mom network of women is a powerful resource. As I said earlier, we began as four mothers with a dream and a planner constructed out of book cloth and chip board and now have over twenty styles of planners and a stationery line! I remain amazed!
iknowamom :: I can't end an interview without finding out your favorite indulgences (just in case I haven't discovered it yet). :)
maria :: My favorite indulgences are reading a book at the beach, going out to lunch with my friends and hot buttered popcorn at the movies!
Thank you, Maria! After a long, tiring weekend and running into a few obstacles today...I am feeling refreshed + inspired by your words.
No comments:
Post a Comment