“There is no such thing as a NON-working mother.”

~Hester Mundis

So, I feel I am always meeting some truly amazing mamas, and I just want to share their stories.  I know many of my blog readers are mamas themselves, and we can definitely appreciate the work that goes into this all-important job.  While I believe that mamas work their tushies off no matter if you stay at home with the kiddos, work outside the home or work inside the home (I actually have done all three myself), the {rockin’ mamas} featured here will primarily be women that have started their own business while still staying home with their sweeties.  It is something that I can relate to in my life right now, and I am very curious to see how other women try to balance their work-kiddo lives.  Maybe we’ll find out that it is that never-ending quest for women–to always try to balance but never feel like you do.  What do you think?  I would love to hear your experiences.

If you would like to be featured, or know of a mama who should be, drop me an email to be considered~ laura@laurawinslowphotography.com  Oh, and please excuse the word “modern” being underlined and linked…can’t for the life of me figure out how to not make that an automatic keyword!  He he!  Actually, I am quite certain I could figure it out given actual time.  I’m just not willing to spend the time I do have trying to figure it out.  So, if you know, feel free to pass it on (it’s not the easy way like just breaking the hyperlink)!

Our very first featured {rockin’ mama} is Grace Stufkosky, a California native that moved to Arizona to be closer to family.  She has two amazing little boys and owns her own business, aptly called Finley and Oliver (can you guess what the names of her kiddo’s are?) .

Meet Grace.  She has got to be one of the most fun-loving mamas around.  Check out this photo of her awesome fam!  When I spotted the shopping cart during our photo session, she didn’t even blink an eye when I suggested that she get in it!  That’s what I call easy going!  Oh, and check out our recent shoot for her new line of clothing.  It was fun!

Grace has also graciously offered a 20% discount to my blog readers, too!!!  Head on over to her shop, enter ROCKINMAMA at checkout, and Grace will refund the 20% via paypal.  Super cool–thanks Grace!  Keep reading to learn more about Grace. 

Please tell us a little about your business and how you developed the concept for it?

Anyone with baby boys can attest to the fact that it is nearly impossible to find cool baby boy clothes. When my boys were itty bitties, I was so frustrated at the lack of fun and modern clothing for them that I decided to create my own. I have a business degree and a love for all things crafty so I thought I’d put the two together and start my own line of appliqued clothing for boys and girls.

How did you choose your business name?

I named it after my super awesome kids!

What makes your business so fab and awesome?

My little applique designs are truly unique. I try to stay away from the traditional designs that you find on kids clothes and focus more on designs that have been inspired by my love of all things modern, simple, and clean. Each of my little creations is hand cut and hand stitched by me on to high quality American Apparel (made in the USA/sweatshop free) garments. I use Eco-fi felt (also made in the USA) which is made out of 100% post consumer recycled plastic bottles. So kiddos can look cute in my clothes and mamas can feel good about it! My clothing is meant to be played in – its meant to get dirty. Just throw those suckers in with the rest of the wash and you are good to go. Trust me, my boys have used and abused their Finley and Oliver clothing and it is still holding strong.

How many sweeties do you have and what are their ages?

I have two amazing, loving, high energy, and hilarious boys. Finley is 3 and Oliver is 2. They are just 15 months apart. My hands are full!

How do you make sure that you are a rockin’ mama to your kiddos while still running your own business?

I’ll be honest here. It is a real struggle for me to be the rockinest mama I can be to my boys and run my own business. Let’s face it, my boys are young and they still need me – a lot. I try my best to organize my schedule so that work time is when the boys nap and after they’ve gone to sleep at night. When I’m not working, it’s “boy” time – we have a blast. I’ll get on the floor and play match box cars with them, wrestle (although Finley keeps telling me I don’t know how to wrestle), play in the dirt – you name it, I’ll do it. My boys mean the world to me and I tell them a thousand times a day how much they are loved and how special they are. They will always come first – even if it means taking a break from the business (which I have had to do before).

What is your biggest challenge as a work-at-home mama?

See above. Oh, and my other challenge is actually squeezing in the time to do my hair and make up daily. If I can accomplish that, I feel like a rock star.

Do you have a website/shop/boutique? As a matter of fact, I do!

www.etsy.com/shop/finleyandoliver. I have a new little blog too – www.finleyandoliver.blogspot.com

If you could jet away on a vacation tomorrow, where would you go?

My husband and I were married for 10 years before we had kids and had the opportunity to do quite a bit of traveling. Of the places we’ve been, London tops them all. I’d jet away to the UK any day.

Thanks a ton, Grace!!  Be sure to keep an eye out for more {rockin’ mamas} each week.  If you have a question you would like me to ask our mamas, just let me know or leave a comment.  If you or someone you know should be featured, drop me an email!  Have a super Tuesday, everyone!

xoxo,

laura