founder
BCM: What was the best parenting advice that you received?
LR: Lead by example. My mom gave up a full time career when my brother and I were young so that she could be home with her children. While she no longer reported into an office daily, she became an entrepreneur and was ahead of her time in her ability to create opportunities that allowed her to stay at home while earning an income. She demonstrated that women need not choose between career and family and instilled in me the importance of having my own goals, interests and passions separate from my children. My mom was my inspiration when I launched my business soon after my son was born. Today she is my partner, and I hope to provide the same example for my daughter.
BCM: What parenting advice would you give to a new mom?
LR: Naptime is sacred. As a work at home mom, it is so tempting to turn on the TV and binge watch your latest Netflix obsession or doze off on the couch after a sleepless night with a teething toddler. However, I’ve learned that those precious one to two hours of quiet may be your only time of day to speak with a client, work at the computer, do a load of laundry or even take a shower. You need to make them count.
BCM: CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL OF YOUR SUCCESS WITH LAUREN & LOLA. YOUR BUSINESS HAS BEEN a CORE PART OF YOUR MOMMY HOOD — AND ADAPTED OVER TIME TO YOUR STAGE OF LIFE TO MEET YOUR AUDIENCE AND THEIR NEEDS. HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE YOU KEEP EVERYTHING FOR EVERY MOM….WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR BEING a successful mompreneur!
LR: Your business should constantly be evolving to fit the needs of your customers and your life. I launched my business during a time in my life where most of my friends and acquaintances were becoming first time moms. Coming from a career in marketing consumer products to moms, I wanted to provide my own functional, yet fabulous new mommy must-haves. In our early days, our primary business was baby gifts. While baby items are still a large part of what we do, we have evolved with our customers to offer unique, personalized items for school, camp, tweens, teens and moms.
BCM: What is one item you always have in your bag?
LR: What don’t I have in my bag?!?! Most days, I feel like Mary Poppins; snacks, wipes, hand sanitizer, lip gloss, band-aids, water bottles, iPhone. You name it, it’s there!
BCM: How do you manage work/life schedule with your early hours and keeping family time your priority?
LR: I often joke that I’m excellent at doing two jobs mediocrely. As a total control freak, I’ve had to come to terms with not being able to do everything, every time. It’s hard to strike the right balance and prioritize, but at the end of the day, family comes first, even if that means sacrificing some deadlines, volunteer work, PTO meetings, play dates, exercise and mommy time.
BCM: What has been your favorite vacation as a family?
LR: San Diego. My husband grew up in San Diego and we lived there for four years before having kids. When we go, not only do we get to spend time with family and friends. It’s also the ultimate family destination with perfect weather, beautiful scenery, great restaurants and tons of family friendly attractions, including The San Diego Zoo, Torrey Pines and Legoland.
BCM: What is your go-to family meal?
LR: Stir-fry chicken and broccoli over penne. Before having kids, I loved to cook. Now with picky eaters and limited time, I’m all about simplicity. This is the one meal my whole family will eat without complaint, and I can make it with only two pots.
BCM: What baby/Child product you could not live without?
LR: Summer Infant Keep Me Clean Potty Protectors. We just potty trained my daughter. As a total germophobe, I had serious anxiety over putting her on a public toilet seat. Now, I don’t go anywhere without my potty protectors.
BCM: What is your perfect family weekend activity?
LR: In the summer, we love to go up to the North Shore to go to the beach. After a day in the sun, we stop at Woodman’s for lobster on the way home.
BCM: If you had an hours to yourself, what would you do?
LR: Get a blow-out. I have really curly hair and hate blowing it dry. I’ll take any excuse to have someone do it for me.
***MORE FUN FACTS***
Favorite Beauty product:
Dior Show Mascara and Clean & Clear Daily Pore Cleanser (I’ve used it since I was 15!)
Favorite form of exercise:
Pure Barre
What is on your DVR?
The Good Wife, Scandal, Billions, Downton Abby
Favorite app:
Waze – anything to save time in the car!
Favorite kids store:
Tiny Hanger