Mom We Love Feature on Smart Parenting, April 2012

We are tremendously backlogged on press release and blog love posts. In between real-time posts from today, we will set aside space for articles/features/what-nots we’ve unintentionally skipped on actual release dates. Consider them our own little ode to everyone who has made our 2012 richer, kookier, a lot more fun! 

Thank you, Mia and Nikki, of Smart Parenting, for picking me as the mom you love (haha) for April! I, and the kids, had a wonderful time at the shoot!

SP: You were office-bound for so many years before you became an entrepreneur. What have you learned from the leap?

It is hard work! You are your own creatives, accounting, logistics, R&D, marketing, PR, sales, operations departments. People, very often, have this unrealistic vision of instant success, fame, and fortune when they decide to become entrepreneurs. What they do not realize is that it is a 24/7 job, where discipline, commitment, and creativity are upped a thousand fold. 

But you get to be your own boss, flex your schedule, have unlimited income potential (which, I must emphasize, is directly proportional to the amount of effort and dedication, plus a good product, that you put into your business), be in control of everything about your livelihood.

In the course of trying to grow our brand, I have polished my sales reporting and accounting skills. I have discovered that I can do PR. I have ventured into some apparel industry and international retail studies. I have started a blog. I have made friends out of customers. I have found more time for family. I have become a better wife to my husband and a better mom to my kids.

SP: You also wrote about celebrating your and your spouse’s differences on the store website. How do you find the right balance?

My husband AJ and I are worlds apart when it comes to personality. Our skill sets, discipline, perspectives do not necessarily fall on the same scale. But we  have learned to look to the other for some devil advocating when necessary. We are so comfortable at how different we are that our differences have become one of our marriage strengths. They are our leverage for growth and balance.

I think, at the end of the day, we maintain equilibrium because we are held together at the core. Our principles, beliefs, and values are the same. We disagree, even raise hell sometimes, but we hold hands. 

SP: How do you stay sane, running a clothing business and raising three kids?

From its conception, AJ and I both knew what our roles were going to be with the business. He’s the artist so he handles creatives. Anything other than creatives is mine. However, as we learn more about how to run the business, we acquire more skills that allow us to merge our roles. But knowing what your core competencies are helps you focus on where you can contribute more effectively and share in tasks where either insight or tangible help is necessary.

At home, AJ is my number one ally. He is an extremely involved father. He shares tasks like feeding the kids, giving them baths, changing their diapers, everything! It is a running joke among our families that we wouldn’t be surprised if, pretty soon, he learns how to breastfeed! He gives me time to do things for myself, like have dinner with friends, get a foot spa, and shop!

Our parents come to the house at least once a week to help babysit the kids. They know the demands of our jobs and understand that we need help most with taking care of the kids. When they’re in the house, we can set meetings with our supplier, do market research, buy samples for R&D, go on the occasional date.

Best of all, I have learned how to be kind to myself. I am learning not to feel guilty and accept the fact that I am not Mrs Atlas. So, on certain days, the bed will be unmade, the girls’ nails will be uncut, the flier will not be sent out…And that is okay. No such thing as a perfect world!

SP: What does it take for an idea to become a global brand, like googoo&gaga?

The googoo&gaga idea worked because AJ and I wanted it to be personal. It is leveraged on AJ’s art, the value of which is based on his own creativity, not on some hip trend or popular aesthetic. Our market is close to us — families. It is because of family that we left our day jobs.

Our international distributors are all either husband-and-wife teams or moms who can relate to our passion to create for the family, because of family. I think the charm is that AJ and I are just a husband and wife who decided to team up and build a brand based on our number one inspiration — kids and family. We believe in what we are doing. That resonates in the products that we market and the relationships that we are able to cultivate. People only need to be able to find a connection to buy into what you do.