BCM - How and why did you start Project Nursery?  

Project Nursery - Projectnursery.com launched back in 2008 as a basic blog simply as a way to share our passion for design. When planning and designing our nurseries for our firsts, we were baffled by the fact that there were no online resources when it came to designing for children's spaces.  Everything was at your finger-tips when it came to planning a wedding or remodeling your bathroom but when it came to a baby nursery you had to rely on magazines or in-store shopping. One evening in February Melisa uploaded her son’s baby blue nursery onto a popular home improvement website. After an overwhelming amount of comments and a flurry of emails, we knew we had something special and Project Nursery was born.

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?  

Project Nursery - We go way back and have known each other since our sorority days at UCLA. But there’s nothing like cramming into a tiny West Village apartment as roommates and single girls in the city to really get to know someone! We’ve grown up together in a way and becoming business partners came naturally. Our respective strengths tend to balance our team out. We also have a level of honesty and respect for one another which is key to a successful partnership.  

BCM - Tell us more about Project Nursery.  Can you share some tips for Big City Moms?  

Project Nursery - Project Nursery is all about making design accessible and achievable for busy parents. Our warm community of Moms and Dads share the love and hard work they put into decorating their child’s room via our Project Gallery. Everyone here is willing to share their sources from furniture finds to DIY tips to paint colors. We encourage Big City Mom’s to ask our members and talented team of design experts questions and advice. And once your own nursery is complete, post it on Project Nursery to inspire others who may be just 9 months behind you!   As for nursery design advice, think of the baby’s room as an extension of your home to determine where it should be modern, traditional or transitional. Consider using some furniture that you already own and recycle it in the nursery. Lastly, the nursery’s theme doesn’t have to be all baby. It should reflect a bit of your own personality and style.  

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

Project Nursery - Go for it but say goodbye to your “spare time”. In all seriousness, we absolutely love running our own business, calling the shots and watching our site grow. It’s been a lot of hard work but at the end of day, we are grateful for the opportunity to do what we love and wouldn’t have it any other way. 

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

Pam Ginocchio Children Gigi - 6 Gray - 4 Sloane - 2

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

Pam - It's kinda cliche but once you become a mom your entire focus in life changes. I really look back on the time that my husband and I had with our first child so fondly. We really had time to enjoy every little minute of parenthood. Now with three kids the house is full of chaos and life is full but in an amazing way. Although we certainly don't have as much time to stop and take it all in like we used to, our family feels complete. I also drink a lot more wine :)  

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

Pam - There have been so many! Recently my oldest daughter lost her first tooth, my son graduated to a bike without training wheels and my two year old just started talking in sentences.   

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

Pam - I think the biggest challenge for me as a mother is achieving the right balance between work, family and personal time. I tend to take on a lot, this is actually when I work best but there is a fine line to feeling motivated and feeling completely overwhelmed. I'm a great multi-tasker and if I can cross a few things off the to-do list each day I think that's an accomplishment. If any other moms out there have tips on how to keep the family schedule in order I'd love to hear them!            

BCM - How do you manage your work life balance?

Pam - Well, I just admitted it’s my biggest challenge so I'm not so sure I manage it well enough to be giving tips. I do have a very supportive husband and family and if I need to step away from them to get work done they understand. I also try and get odds and ends accomplished after the kids go to sleep so I wake up in the morning ahead of the game.   

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

Pam - There are so many great family activities to do in SF and we are so lucky we can enjoy the outdoors all year long. We love to make family trips to the farmers market because it has all the great local produce. Food plus a bounce house and pony rides makes everyone happy. We also do family bike/scooter rides down by the Golden Gate Bridge or after dinner family walks to get ice cream. I find that the kids are happiest when we are doing things that don't take a lot of fuss or travel time and just allow us all to be together.  
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FUN FACTS:    
I’m totally obsessed with…

Pam Ginocchio - Jewelry - especially statement necklaces.  

My biggest influence is…. 

Pam Ginocchio - For work - Melisa, For advice- my parents, For love - my kids & husband  

My favorite drugstore buy is….  

Pam Ginocchio - Maybeline Mascara - the pink tube!  

Products I can’t live without.… 

Pam Ginocchio - Elta Sunscreen, Rene Furterer Straightening Gel, Armani Liquid Sheer Makeup & Plum Organics Just Mangos Pouches  

My guilty pleasure is....

Pam Ginocchio - Recchiuti Fleur de Sel Carmels & Red Wine - together is even better!  

Favorite NYC restaurant….

Pam Ginocchio - Babbo   

Melisa Fluhr Children Austin - 4 Chase - 2

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

Melisa - Hmmm, what didn’t change? I gave up my former hospitality career and it was the last thing I thought I would ever do. When my little guy arrived into this world, I didn’t want to focus on anything else. He gave me the motivation to start my own business and thankfully I had the unconditional support of my husband to do so. You find a love that you can’t explain once your children are born and it’s the greatest.  

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

Melisa Every time my 4 year old stops what he’s doing to tell me, “Mom, I love you so much”. He just does it out of the blue. We could be at a park, making dinner or walking down the street. I am shocked every time like the first time and it never gets old.  

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

Melisa - Disciplining my children is never an easy task. I have two very active little boys. There are times I just want to scream my head off but I am working hard to step back, take a breath and explain to my growing toddlers what they did wrong and why. It doesn’t always seem to work right now but here’s to hoping it sticks one day!  

BCM - How do you manage your work life balance?

Melisa - I have to put everything on a list and on my calendar.  Without doing so, I am paralyzed. This way, I know what work needs to get done and I know when to make time to just hang with the kids to ensure there is that important balance in life. It doesn’t always work that way but I try. Even my husband and I make date nights a priority on the calendar.   

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

Melisa - We just moved back to the city a couple of weeks ago.  We’re so excited to start exploring with the kids as everything here is so new to them. Every weekend we go to breakfast together and alternate between a diner and dim sum. Coming from California, we also love to go swimming as a family.
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FUN FACTS: 

I’m totally obsessed with…

Melisa - Pinterest. I spend way too much time online in general however.

My biggest influence is….

Melisa - My Parents. Both are so hardworking and loving. My father has a witty sense of humor and my mother happens to be an amazing cook! 

My favorite drugstore buy is….

Melisa - Maybelline – The Falsies Volum’ Express (That’s not a typo in “volume” either. The name sounds terrible, doesn’t it?)  

Products I can’t live without.…

Melisa - The Clairsonic + Baborganic Enzyme Cleanser  

My guilty pleasure is....

Melisa - Fois Gras, Caviar and Rose Champagne!  

Favorite NYC restaurant….

Melisa -Joe’s Shanghai in Chinatown