Big City Mom Kari Boiler
Mother of two Kari Boiler started up Bugaboo in North America in 2002 with 15 strollers in her garage. She helped build the iconic brand and recently was appointed president of Bugaboo Americas.

BCM -Okay, so we can imagine you are a pretty busy person. How do you balance your family and career?

Kari -It is certainly a careful and daily balance. The main thing is to not lose sight of my priorities and family is my number one priority. I make decisions that don’t hinder my job duties but also support my family priorities. I also have an incredibly supportive husband. We support each other and our careers and share in family responsibilities. It often takes two to keep it balanced in a positive and open way.

Luckily, I work for a company that supports this way of working. While there can be late nights (after kids are in bed) and travel, I balance it with enough of the important and visible moments for the kids. If I travel it’s to make sure I call home at the right time, if I’m not traveling it’s to make sure I drop off at school, help with homework, schedule play dates, have some laughs, etc..-normal mom stuff. It really comes down to being present to the best of your ability regardless if you are away or at home. It can be challenging, but again, goes back to prioritizing- If it is a priority you make it happen.

BCM - Tell us about the partnership with (RED) and Bugaboo.  What does it mean to you personally?

Kari -Bugaboo joined forces with (RED) to empower parents across the globe to participate in the fight against HIV/AIDS.  Bugaboo, at the core, is a modern mobility company so with that we are encouraging parents to GO…go outside, go discover, go experience. Through our partnership with (RED), Bugaboo is inspiring people, and providing an opportunity for our customers to not only improve their own lives, but the lives of others.  
 
Since October 1, 2009, with any Bugaboo purchase, Bugaboo contributes 1% of our total revenue to the Global Fund, which will provide lifesaving anti-retroviral treatments in Africa. The medication provided by the Global Fund will help reduce the number of mothers who transfer HIV to their unborn children as well as helping people living with the disease lead active, productive and hopeful lives.
 
Parents who choose Bugaboo are not only choosing a well designed performance stroller but they will also be making a conscious decision to contribute to the Global Fund.  Whether they purchase from the existing Bugaboo range, or display their support by choosing from the (BUGABOO)RED Special Collection, their purchase ultimately benefits mothers and children living with HIV/AIDS in Africa.
 
For me it’s not only important because I’m a mother, but parenting is emotional and the impact we can make on the lives of women and children in Africa is really motivating and inspirational. It gives new meaning to my work; we can make a difference. Since October, Bugaboo’s contribution is enough to cover the cost of providing medication to 12,513 pregnant women to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV from mother to child, which is exciting.

BCM - Your marketing style involves thinking big and thinking into the future. Does this influence your parenting style?

Kari - Hmmm I’d say my parenting style is less about thinking big and into the future with my kids. I keep it much more low key. I just want honest, kind, sincere, thoughtful and fun kids that grow into the same honest, kind, sincere, thoughtful, fun and intelligent adults. If they do that, they will think big for themselves.

BCM - Who in your life has been a great influence on you, both as a mom and as a successful businessperson?

Kari -My mom. She was a working and single mother for part of my childhood. She was a nurse and managed the IV department at the hospital. Looking back I now get it- I get what she had to do to raise three children and work full time while maintaining the small details of running a household on top of a busy life. Not only did she manage to make lunches, dinners, plan sleepovers and get us up to the mountain to ski on the weekends, but I also got to go to work with her often. At her work I would see what she did, how she managed a department and did her rounds with patients. I didn’t always understand what she did, but I could see how people really liked working with her and for her in her compassion to patients and her leadership to her team. I remember being very proud of her at a very young age. As an adult I realized she had a larger influence on the industry in some patents she developed in IV training. She never apologized for working, she was very proud of what she did. I also remember she would take time to go swimming, to get exercise. So somewhere in a very busy and long day, she also took time for herself. So I draw a lot of inspiration from my memory of her in her ability to balance work and life.

BCM - Do you have any words of wisdom for working moms?

Kari -Set your own priorities and stick to them and you will be balanced. When you get the kids' school calendar, immediately put important dates into your agenda.

Have the same calendar at home and work to reference. I can’t remember a date for the life of me and I live by calendar reminders. Be diligent about updating all the events, school functions, etc., otherwise the chaos drives you vs. being ready for the chaos.

Don't apologize for your work and being away from your kids. It can be hard and surely we moms feel guilty. But if you involve them in what you do, how you are making a difference and learning yourself, they might just want to learn with you.

BCM - What is your parenting motto?

Kari -It has to be fun and delicious (another gem from my mom).

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

Kari -Because I work and I don’t spend as much ‘home’ time with the kids, the down/home time is really important; doing artwork, summer beach time, deck disco, roasting marshmallows, growing lettuce, cilantro and parsley and trying to grow edamame. (any tips? we failed.)  We go out to dinner almost every Friday and it is such a great time to talk and catch up. When I can, I surprise them and pick them up at school which means a lot to them. I’m a huge soccer mom so it is a priority to be at their events and cheer them on. We are pretty low an activities, more focused on the quality time as it seems hard to fit it all in sometimes.

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

Kari -I can think of 3.
 
Trust your gut. Nobody knows your kids better than you.
 
Build trust and accountability with your kids early. When they feel trusted they become confident with the responsibility of accountability. They may fail. We all do.  But for us, it has created a really respectful, loving and fun relationship with my kids.
 
While it is important for parents to agree on basic principles when you are raising children, it’s important that dad and mom (or whatever your home situation is) are allowed to have their own style with the kids, as this really brings different things to the collective parenting unit. So in short, allow style differences, while being unified on parenting principles

BCM - What was your favorite Big City Moms event?

Kari - The Biggest Baby Shower