BCM - How and Why did you start Petit Organics?

Petit Organics - After Michelle had her second baby, she quickly realized she was spending way too much time in the kitchen toiling away preparing homemade baby food instead of enjoying quality time with her little ones. Michelle went online in search of an organic fresh baby food delivery service, but to her surprise, none existed. That is when the idea for Petit Organics was born! It is our mission to help bring fresh, homemade baby food to the many busy families in the New York City area.

BCM -Both of you have a great dynamic of work together. How did you team up? Why do you think you work so well together?

Petit Organics - We had originally met years ago through a mutual friend, but we lost touch for a bit and then reconnected via Facebook (must give a big shout out to the power of social media). Soon after getting back in touch, Michelle posted on her Facebook wall about the idea for a fresh baby food delivery service and Rehana loved it so much that she sent her a message immediately saying, “Let’s quit our corporate jobs and do this!” The reason we work so well together is simple…we both truly believe in the importance of what we are doing. We are on a mission to revolutionize how families feed their babies!

BCM - Tell us more about Petit Organics. Can you share some tips about making baby food for Big City Moms?

Petit Organics - Petit Organics is the only 100% organic, fresh baby food delivery service in Manhattan. Our baby food is handmade and packaged less than 24 hours before delivery. Currently we offer Stage 1 purees (for babies ages 4-7 months) and Stage 2 blends (for babies ages 8 months and up). Our stage 1 purees are a wonderful way to introduce healthy, flavorful food to your little one. We take extra care to puree each fruit or veggie to just the right consistency—perfectly smooth and simply delicious. Our Stage 2 blends are where we get a bit more adventurous; we love adding a dash of spice like nutmeg and interesting grains like quinoa—so delish! Making baby food at home takes time, but it is so worth it. Our advice to every mom we meet is to have fun with it and get creative! Try adding spices to your purees such as cinnamon or curry. The more flavors you introduce to your baby now, the less issues you will have with him being a picky eater as a toddler.

BCM - Where can you purchase Petit Organics?

Petit Organics - You can purchase Petit Organics on our website and at Norma Kamali’s Wellness café in Midtown. Ordering on our site is super easy and we deliver the baby food to you in an ice-cold insulated pack for free. Your “Petit Pack” will include a three-day supply of organic, fresh baby food (nine containers). You can customize your pack (maybe your little one is obsessed with eating lots of sweet potato or perhaps zucchini is more her style?), or you can order a variety pack that includes an array of our seasonal selections. Lastly, you select the delivery day and time, or your preferred pickup location. Then, voila…your baby’s food is handmade and packaged less than 24 hours before it is delivered to your home, office, or anywhere you want!

BCM - What advice do you have for other moms who are thinking about starting businesses?

Petit Organics - Hire the best help you can find! And we don’t necessarily mean people to help with the business…we mean people to make sure everything is running smoothly at home. Owning your own business is rewarding in so many ways, but it definitely requires more overtime than most corporate jobs. Before we even launched our company, we pulled countless all-nighters tweaking our recipes and researching things like packaging options and food handler certification courses. We could not have gotten Petit Organics off the ground without the help of some fantastic nannies, babysitters, and of course…our very supportive husbands! now for the individual questions...

And now tell us a little bit about yourselves...

Rehana Zamfotis Children Reese and Chase - 10 months

BCM - What has been the biggest challenge for you in motherhood. Any advice for new moms?

Rehana: Being a mom is by far the hardest thing I have ever done, and having twins has definitely been a learning experience! I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist; however, now that I have two little tornados crawling around getting into everything…I’ve had to learn to embrace the craziness (and mess) that comes along with raising kids. My best advice would be to try not to stress over the small stuff—it is so easy to get caught up in the details! Yes, there is probably a splatter of sweet potato on my ceiling and a few bottles in my sink…but honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

BCM - How did your life change when you became a mom?

Rehana: My life has been turned upside down! I quickly realized that as a parent, every decision I now make revolves around my kids. Yes, I have had to give up those last-minute dinners with friends and sleeping in on weekends, but I get so much in return. There is nothing as wonderful as a 6:30am Sunday morning snuggle with a warm baby (or two)!

BCM - What has been your most memorable moment (s) as a mom?

Rehana:My twins are ten months, so right now we are having a lot “firsts,” which is so much fun! I think my favorite so far has to be their first smiles. The first few months at home with them is a bit of a blur…except I’ll never forget the first time I saw my son’s ear-to-ear gummy grin and my baby girl’s sweet little crooked smile!

BCM - How do you manage your work life balance?

Rehana: The best advice I got from my working mom friends was to never forget that your little ones grow up at lightning speed. I make sure that I spend quality time with them every day, no matter how slammed I am with work. I have started a tradition where every morning I read my twins at least one story when they first wake up; I treasure these moments, and I think they look forward to it too!

BCM - What types of activities do you like to do w/ your kids?

Rehana: Now that winter in full swing, outside activities are pretty much a no-go for us. However, I still like to give the babies a change of scenery so we have become regulars at the indoor play spaces in my neighborhood. My favorite spots are definitely Kidville and Appleseeds. I am also having so much fun with a fantastic group of Tribeca moms in a weekly “Rockin with Andy” playgroup. My babies love watching Andy with his guitar and he always brings tons of fun props for them to play with/chew on.

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FUN FACTS:
I’m totally obsessed with…

Rehana: fresh flowers—I always try to have them in the house…even if it is just a $5 bouquet from the corner market, it will still make your living room seem brighter and more polished.

My biggest influence is…

Rehana:my husband—he is my best friend and my backbone. I would not have had the guts to launch Petit Organics without his advice and support.

My favorite drugstore buy is....

Rehana: giant tubs of Cetaphil moisturizer…I call it my miracle cream, you can use it to heal everything from mild dry skin to oven burns. The stuff is better than La Mer, seriously!

My guilty pleasure is…

Rehana: Dom Perignon champagne…I am a sucker for tiny bubbles.

Favorite NYC activity…

Rehana: designer sample sales—Prada and Hermes at 50% off? Yes, please!

Favorite NYC Restaurant….

Rehana: Daniel

Michelle Marinis Children Pearce - 4 Rylan - 2 Brandt - 4 months

BCM - What has been the biggest challenge for you in motherhood. Any advice for new moms?

Michelle: Probably the challenge of making time for all of the wonderful people in my life (my children, my husband, my friends, and my relatives). My husband and I make sure to have a dinner date at least once a week, and we take a vacation together once a year. I also meet up with friends for dinner at least twice a month. Advice for moms of multiples: make an effort to spend one-on-one time with each of your children. It can be challenging to coordinate but your children will really appreciate the special bonding time.

BCM - How did your life change when you became a mom?

Michelle: Before having a family, there was so much less urgency in everyday tasks…I could relax with a hot cup of coffee and the New York Times anytime I wanted. Nowadays, I have to take care of more things in less time—I have mastered the art of efficiency. You can regularly find me simultaneously eating breakfast, brushing my hair, and doing my makeup. Life is definitely more hectic, but I love it!

BCM - What has been your most memorable moment (s) as a mom?

Michelle: Probably the birth of each child (I have three!) Pearce is 4, Rylan is 2 and Baby Brandt is 4 months. I will also never forget the first ER trip – stitches for Rylan, I was more terrified than he was.

BCM - How do you manage your work life balance?

Michelle: I have a super simple strategy for this one…I make sure to turn off my phone when I walk through the door and do not turn it on again until after all the boys are in bed. That way, they have my complete attention and I can appreciate the time with them so much more.

BCM - What types of activities do you like to do w/ your kids?

Michelle: In the warmer months, we love going to the beach. Our boys like to spend the whole day building sandcastles and swimming. Our family is also big on pick-your-own-produce farms: strawberries, melons and raspberries in the summer and apples, pumpkins and squash in the winter. After our farm trips, we come home and find a fun recipe to create using our fresh produce. The kids love it!

FUN FACTS:
I’m totally obsessed with…

Michelle: Physique 57 workouts—it is intense and you definitely feel the burn, but it is the only way I have been able to lose the baby weight three times now.

My biggest influence is…

Michelle: my mother—I have no idea how she ran her own business, kept our home in order, and still showed me more love than I could have ever asked for.

My favorite drugstore buy is....

Michelle: Essie nailpolish

My guilty pleasure is…

Michelle: Dominique Ansel Bakery—the lemon tart is the best thing I have ever tasted.

Favorite NYC activity…

Michelle: The Central Park Zoo—just the right size so you can get in and see everything in under two hours!

Favorite NYC Restaurant….

Michelle: For date night, Le Bernadin; for dinner with the kiddos, Bar Pitti