Photo: Courtesy of The Mom Made Market
mom-made-market-holiday-pop-up2018
The Mom Made Market’s holiday pop-up is this weekend at Aloha Tower Pier 11 Terminal, featuring successful companies owned by smart, savvy mothers. How do they balance work and family life? What advice do they have for other moms dreaming of starting their own businesses? Read on and be inspired.
Richie-Anne Calizar
Love + Monsters Hawai‘i: Keiki fashion, home décor and pet goods
Photo: Sena Nelson
Love + Monsters
What can we expect at your booth this weekend?
Our new doggie bandanas, poop bags and leashes will be available. Also, some baby girl dresses and rompers. Hand-wrapped, tassel keychains will be given to customers that spend $75 or more (while supplies last).
How is it being a working mom?
Not going to lie. It’s VERY hard. A lot of late nights and discipline is required. I like to be very involved with my kids. From sports to attending their school events, I want to be there for everything. I work while they’re in school and when they’re sleeping. It’s challenging but very rewarding.
When you need a timeout what do you do?
SLEEP! I don’t get my hair, nails, eyelashes done. Ever. I’d rather spend my time relaxing in my bed, watching a movie and cuddling with my kids, husband and dog.
What does it mean to be a part of this event?
This is my favorite event of the year. Not only because of the other mom vendors, but also because of the supportive mom shoppers! It feels great to be surrounded by women who make all their products by hand, and those, who appreciate handmade products.
Nicole Iglesias
Notted Nest Hawai‘i: Macramé home décor and accessories
Photo: Courtesy of Notted Nest
Notted Nest
What can we expect at your booth this weekend?
This weekend, I'll have lots of new designs in both plant hangers and wall hangings. My customers have been asking for bigger statement pieces, so I have a few of those! Also, my best-selling essential oil + macramé teethers will be fully stocked! And, receive a free air plant with a purchase of $20 or more while supplies last.
What’s goes into making one of your macramé designs?
Quality, function and aesthetics! Every piece has to fit into those categories when I'm designing and creating. From there, it's a lot of making and taking apart something over and over until I get the design how I envisioned it.
What advice would you give to moms who are considering entering the entrepreneurial/creative world?
Don't be afraid to reach out to other moms (who are killing it) for insight and advice! Also, don't be surprised when they tell you their lives are just as crazy, but they wouldn't trade it for the world! Every one of us has a different story of how we started doing what we do and what we do to make it work.
What does it mean to be a part of this event?
Mom Made Market is by far my favorite event of the year. I've found such a solid community of women who all want to see each other grow and succeed. Even if we're in the same type of market, there is still a place for all of us to grow and push the limits of what we think we can do.
Amber Thibaut
CocoMoon Hawai‘i: Keiki swaddle blankets and fashions
Photo: Courtesy of CocoMoon
CocoMoon
What can we expect at your booth this weekend?
We are super excited to share some brand-new clothing items, including toddler sizes and zippered footies! We'll also have selected items that will be on markdown starting at $10.
How is it being a working mom?
When I first started Coco Moon, it took some time to let go of the "mom guilt" that came from spending time on my business at (what I felt) was the cost of my family time. However, I soon realized that one was not mutually exclusive of the other, and time spent fulfilling my dreams actually allowed me to pour more energy into my children.
What advice would you give to moms who are starting to think about entering the entrepreneurial/creative world?
The hardest step is often the first one. So, the best advice I can give is to just get started! And once you've taken that first step, be confident in yourself, your abilities and ideas. Be your own biggest cheerleader and show yourself some grace when you hit the inevitable bumps in the road. You got this, mama!
What does it mean to be a part of this event?
The community of mom makers and purveyors in Hawaii is truly amazing. Not only is there an overflowing amount of talent, but also so much positivity and support for each other. I always leave these events so inspired and fired up by all of the good vibes and energy of my fellow mamas.
Casey Dumadag
littleCayCam: Keiki moccasins and baby muslin blankets
Photo: Courtesy of Little Cay Cam
Little_Cay_Cam
What can we expect at your booth this weekend?
I'll have a bunch of moccasins there and all of them will be in my exclusive designs. I'll have new prints, as well as new color ways for a few current prints.
What’s the process of making moccasins?
My fiancé cuts all the inner linings and fabric for me to make the moccs. I sew 20 pairs at a time, assembly line style, and I do them in five steps. But I don't want to give away the secrets. LOL.
How is it being a working mom?
The biggest challenge is BALANCE. While taking care of the kids, I need to find small windows to work. Whether it's printing orders, packaging orders, sewing, ordering materials, or even just answering emails, anything I can squeeze in, is a big accomplishment. The time I feel most successful is when I can get my two kids to take a nap at the same time, and they nap for three hours straight! Yessss!!
What does it mean to be a part of this event?
I love being a part of this, since the main focus is supporting moms and their businesses. I always feel empowered and get a rush of positive vibes after the event. The whole weekend, I'm surrounded by other women who do the same thing on a daily basis, and I know the struggle and hustle.
Rosalyn Ardoin
Little Hands Hawai‘i: Local, organic sunscreen
Photo: Courtesy of Little Hands Hawaiʻi
little_hands_hawaii
What can we expect at your booth this weekend?
We will be offering a holiday gift set that is packaged in a lauhala box.
Why and when did you start making sunscreen?
As a mother, I was fed up with sunscreen companies marketing an eco-conscious, baby-safe sunscreen when in actuality it wasn’t. So, I created a sunscreen formula I trust on my newborn baby!
When you need a timeout, what do you do?
Haha! I go shelling. I just love floating in the water with my keiki and finding shells!
What does it mean to be a part of this event?
It’s about being a community. I feel like as moms, we are filling a void that we see in the market; we do it for love and passion. I love being surrounded by that!
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Mom Made Market will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3. Aloha Tower Pier 11 Terminal, 155 Ala Moana Blvd. $3 entry fee. For details visit themommademarket.com
