BCM - What is Moms And The City?  Why did the 3 of you start the company?

MATC:  Moms And The City is a multi-platform media company with a TV, print and web presence. “Moms And The City & a Dad Named David” is our TV Show which airs on WNBC and NY Nonstop, WNBC’s digital station. Our home online is both Momsandthecity.net and the NY Daily News website – the country’s fifth largest newspaper online.  This month, MATC is partnering with Babycenter, the number one global interactive parenting network. 

We started the company when we were all working in breaking news for various television networks and at different stages of motherhood.  We each realized that there wasn’t anything in the mom sphere that was delivering honest, straight-forward, humorous and open dialogue.  We felt like we had so much to say and wanted to share our honest thoughts.  And as TV producers who had been telling other peoples stories for years, we felt now as new moms we had so many of our own stories to share. 

So we formed Moms And The City and launched our column and celebrity interviews in the Fall of 2009 in Metro US Newspapers.  Shortly thereafter we moved to The New York Daily News and from there, we launched our TV show with WNBC/New York Nonstop

BCM -The 3 of you have a great dynamic of working together. How did you team up? Why do you think you work so well together?

MATC:  Ha! That’s an illusion!  We do work well together because all of our strengths and weaknesses combined make this threesome a success!  Our paths had crossed in the television business and as new mothers we came together and realized that there was a voice and space missing on television for motherhood.  It has taken some time to get a rhythm amongst the three of us.  Don’t be fooled, the combination of three very strong, opinionated women/mothers can be lethal at times – but we have found a mutual respect and love for each other – because how could you not find that with the people you consider more family than business partners or friends.

BCM - You have a column in The Daily News and a TV Show - Moms and the City and a dad named David.   How did this come about?

MATC:  The column came from us realizing that Moms And The City should begin with stories in print which could then segue way to television and it just happened to work out that way organically.  We were approached by David Ushery at WNBC to appear as guests on his TV show, “The Debrief,” to discuss the topics we were writing about.  Our columns started to resonate and we developed a small following not only because of the honesty we were bringing to the paper and to the show, but also because of our celebrity interviews.  We were talking to celebrity moms and asking them the questions directly related to our candid topics.  And their answers were surprisingly honest too!  After our fourth time as guests, we were asked to shoot a pilot which was then picked up as a television show, which we are so proud of and excited about. 

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

MATC:  Go for it!  There is never, ever the right time or scenario.  We all did this while working and raising kids. There are obstacles and people will tell you no. What we have learned is that you tell them yes.  There is no better way to do anything for yourself, than by yourself.  So we are doing it all…writing our columns, running programming for our blog, conducting interviews, showcasing mom entrepreneurs and other incredible moms, shooting and editing our videos, building all of our social media platforms, and then trying to be the best mom at the end of the day.  After working in the industry for others for so long, we are now living our dreams by being able to continue to work in a field that we love, on our own terms.

Now for the fun stuff - A little bit about you all  (Can the 3 of you answer these questions individually?)

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

MELISSA: I love it all!  It is so hard to choose.  I wish I could bottle time.  I love their first words, and steps, and hugs and the day they were born and the first day of school, the first time the tooth fairy showed up and their first major questions about life and about the world, and I could go on and on.

DENISE:  Every night when I kiss my kids good-night, they each have a certain routine that makes it all worth it and erases for a moment any stresses I may have.  My 2 year old goes right into his crib and then asks for kisses from each of us, including his brother.  There is nothing better than that.  My older one has a laundry list of good night requests, ending with “love you, pleasant, pleasant, pleasant dreams”.  With 2 boys, our family is complete, and at their current ages 5 ½ and 2 – they play together, have full conversations and we can really enjoy everything we do together as a family.

RAINA: My son is just 2 1/2 but memorable moments have been lighting up my life since the day he was born. Of course the conventional clichés get me every time – his first smile, his first tooth (at three months old!), his first steps (well, actually he didn’t walk, he ran), his first “I love you.” But if I had to pick one memory that stands out up until this point, it would be that of my birthday when my son was 9 months old – three months shy of his 1st birthday.  It was a beautiful, hot August day and it was just the two of us sharing laughs, banana smashing and love.  It might sound corny or oddly simplistic but it was a day full of pure happiness. It was in those moments during my 32nd birthday that I realized what life was all about…pure and honest love.

What types of activities do you like to do with your kids?

MELISSA: I love to read with my kiddies. That quiet, peaceful time is very special to me.  I also love to play sports with my older son and dance with my two little girls.  I love to see their faces light up over finishing a puzzle or their laughter from the tickle monster which to me is pure bliss.

DENISE: I love taking them places and letting them experience the city and all of the fun things I love to do.  I recently took my oldest to the Empire State Buidling.  Central Park and Riverside Park are our backyard.  In the summer we love Victorian Gardens at Wollman Rink and in the winter we spend time there too, on the skating rink.  I love bringing them to sporting events, the circus and anything else that passes through town.  We love to also stop and listen to the local street musicians and performers in Columbus Circle and at every other subway stop we pass. 

RAINA:  My son is a big music fan.  We enjoy doing anything music-related.  Whether it’s playing the drums at home, attending various kiddie concerts around the city, singing in the car, and on.  We also love taking advantage of the city.  We just visited the Bamboo exhibit at the Met which was great.

If you could give another mom or expectant mom one piece of advice, what would it be?

MELISSA: Always trust your gut.  Mama knows best. 

DENISE: You don’t have to change your life just because you have kids.  You may have to adjust certain things, but remember who you are and keep a piece of your independence.

RAINA:  Respect your children. Really listen to what they have to say.