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A Conversation with Co-founders Michelle & Fatemah: Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship

by Michelle Lui |

We sit down with our founders Michelle and Fatemah to chat about the realities of motherhood, entrepreneurship and how they make time for their "self-care" rituals and trying to "do it all".

MEET FATEMAH

Fatemah family
How has being a mother changed your perspective on beauty and self-care?
Through the experience of creating life and witnessing what the body goes through, I now have a deeper understanding of the importance of taking care of myself. I often remind my husband that staying healthy is essential so that we can enjoy hiking and playing with our future grandchildren even in our 80s.
 
While it can be challenging to make time for self-care as a busy mom, even just 10-15 minutes a day can have a significant impact on our future selves. Our children may tire us out now, but prioritizing self-care will allow us to live fulfilling lives for years to come.
 
What are some of your favourite beauty rituals, and how do you make time for them as a busy mom?
Believe it or not, my favorite beauty ritual is taking a shower. There's something about being alone in the hot water that feels so rejuvenating, especially when I'm using our Eucalyptus Coco Body Wash.
 
Depending on how I'm feeling, I might pair my shower with a pre-shower dry brush or a post-shower oil + gua sha session. These simple rituals not only make me feel more refreshed but also give me a chance to reflect on my day, take some deep breaths, and even do some stretching in the shower.
 
I think it's easy to overlook these daily rituals, especially when they become habits, but I've learned that they're an important opportunity for self-care and reflection. Making small changes in your day or shifting your perspective can have a significant impact on your overall well-being in the long run.
 
What is the most important lesson you have learned as a mother, how has it influenced your work and life?
As a mother, I've come to realize that managing multiple responsibilities and roles is not easy. From tending to my children's needs to running a household and pursuing my career and personal aspirations, it can feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. However, through this, I've learned an incredibly valuable lesson - the importance of time.
 
Time is a precious commodity, and as a mother, I've become hyper-aware of how I spend it. I've learned to prioritize and manage my responsibilities, reflecting on which tasks and activities bring the most value to my life and those around me. This lesson has influenced not only my work but also my personal life, as I'm now more mindful of how I allocate my time and the impact it has on myself and others. 

MEET MICHELLE

 family

How has motherhood inspired your brand's mission and values?

Being a mom, I always want to do what's best for my kids. This mindset extends to our brand and community. We strive to create something that resonates with all of you, focusing on nurturing our entire well-being, inside and out. 

Fate and I have always been super mindful about what we put in our bodies (but we still love french fries), the stuff we slather on our skin, and down to the cleaning products we use for our kitchen sink. So, when the idea for MIFA came up, I knew I wanted to create more than just another body care brand. I wanted to build a whole lifestyle brand that instilled health and wellness in every aspect.

What are some of the challenges you faced while building a business as a woman, as a mom, and how did you overcome them?

Starting this journey was no joke, especially when my kids were still babies and toddlers. They relied on me for so much, so finding time for myself was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Thankfully, I had an awesome support system - shoutout to my rockstar husband and the grandparents!

We made my new chapter a priority. I squeezed in work during those precious nap times, and we tag-teamed on alternate days. Evenings became my secret hustle time. And let me tell you, online grocery shopping (SPUD, you saved my sanity!), hiring a house cleaner, and signing up for a diaper subscription were absolute game-changers.

I quickly learned that time management and efficiency was my secret weapon. I had to be a master multi-tasker in a limited number of hours. And you know what? Things didn't always go as planned. Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs. I went with the flow, stayed flexible, and adapted because that's the best I can do. It's all part of the journey.

What advice would you give to new moms who are struggling to take care of themselves while caring for their children?

Self-care is such a personal thing and it's important to not go comparing ourselves to others. Whenever I chat with my mom friends, I always stress the importance of carving out some "me time" and relying on their support network.

And remember, self-care doesn't have to be getting your nails done. Sometimes, it's as simple as taking ten minutes for deep breaths and meditation, treating yourself to an extra-long, steamy shower, or just kicking back with a solo cup of tea.

It's about finding joy in the little things because, let's be real, not all of us have a whole day to spend at a fancy spa. That's why we thought of your me-time moments with things like aromatherapy in our collection—because self-care should be part of our everyday lives, no matter how hectic things get.

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