Mother/Founder: 68 Women on the Trials and Triumphs of Starting a Business and Raising a Family

by Amanda Jane Jones, Jennifer Fernandez

Overview

An inspirational and empowering celebration of more than sixty women who are both dedicated mothers and successful entrepreneurs.

Starting a business can be daunting, scary, and exciting, all at once; so too can starting a family. But they can coexist—as the incredible roster of women in this book demonstrate, entrepreneurship can be both a sustainable and fulfilling model for working motherhood. Featured here are the stories of more than sixty mothers (including big names like author and artist Maira Kalman and Justina Blakeney of the Jungalow but also farmers, lawyers, pastry chefs, and more), who describe how they pursued their entrepreneurial dreams, overcame obstacles, achieved success, and found professional contentment, all while providing for their families and parenting their children. The authors are themselves self-employed moms (Amanda Jane Jones is a freelance graphic designer, illustrator, art director, and mother of three; Jennifer Fernandez is a freelance writer and editor and mother of two) and include within the book are personal essays in which they open up about their own struggles and triumphs in balancing motherhood with their creative ambitions. They also offer readers tools and practical advice for starting a business and tackling the unique challenges of entrepreneurship and parenthood. It all adds up to a one-of-a-kind manual-cum-gift book for women looking to start and grow their own businesses.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781648293450
Publisher:	Artisan
Publication date:	10/22/2024
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	734,803
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.28(d)

About the Author

Amanda Jane Jones was the co-creator and founding designer of Kinfolk, and is now a freelance graphic designer, illustrator, and children's book author. She has been featured by Architectural Digest, The New York Times, and Martha Stewart Living, as well as online publications that include Mother Mag, Cup of Jo, Domino, Wit & Delight, Oh Joy!, VSCO, Gap, and Click Magazine. Her product collaborations include Opinel, Revival Rugs, Solly Baby, and Schoolhouse Electric. She is a recent transplant to the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, after having all of her children (Jane, Miles, and Wes) on the south side of Chicago. Her kids were the inspiration for her books Yum Yummy Yuck, The Hair Book, Fuzzy Furry Ouch, and Decorate the Tree. Find her at amandajanejones.com and @amandajanejones.

Jennifer Fernandez is a former magazine and digital editor who has written about design, travel, and food for nationwide publications that include The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, Travel + Leisure, Esquire, Departures, House Beautiful, Elle Décor, Martha Stewart Living, Better Homes & Gardens, and Domino. She currently resides in Brooklyn with her husband and two young daughters, Sophie and Maren.

Table of Contents

Roma Desai Patel, Tejari (Atlanta, GA)
Emma Straub. Books Are Magic (Brooklyn, NY)
Chamin Ajjan, Chamin Ajjan Psychotherapy (Brooklyn, NY)
Personal Essay: Dream Big
Joy Cho, Oh Joy! (Los Angeles, CA)
Priscilla R. Vega, PR Vega (Los Angeles, CA)
Maira Kalman, artist (New York, NY)
Sarah Paiji Yoo, Blueland (New York, NY)
Personal Essay: You’re Your Most Valued Employee
Nina Barnieh-Blair, Nina B Design (New York, NY)
Erika Nakamura & Jocelyn Guest, Due Madri (New York, NY)
Shannon Watts, Moms Demand Action (Lafayette, CA)
K’era Morgan, k-apostrophe (Los Angeles, CA)
Veronique Nguyen, Les Gamins (Brooklyn, NY)
Personal Essay: Roll with the Rejections
Fany Gerson, Fan-Fan Doughnuts (Brooklyn, NY)
Suann Song, Appointed (Bethesda, MD)
Michelle Ranavat, Ranavat (Los Angeles, CA)
Melissa Goldstein & Natalia Rachlin, Mother Tongue (Los Angeles, CA and Houston, Texas)
Personal Essay: Always Have a Contract
Jaycina Almond, The Tender Foundation (Atlanta, GA)
Wendy Juarez, Prime Corn (Salt Lake City, UT)
Clare Vivier, Clare V. (Los Angeles, CA)
Sarah Sherman Samuel, SSS Edit (Ada,Michigan)
Miriam Milord, BCakeNY (Brooklyn, NY)
Personal Essay: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
Justina Blakeney, The Jungalow (Los Angeles, CA)
Amanda Stewart, Mochi Kids (Salt Lake City, UT)
Einat Admony, Balaboosta (Brooklyn NY)
Cary Vaughan and Jenna Wilson, Ace & Jig (Portland, OR, and Brooklyn, NY)
Leonor Perretta, Peretta Law (West Jordan, UT)
Personal Essay: How to Plan Maternity Leave (The Best You Can!)
Elle Rowley, Solly Baby (Bonsall, CA)
Amber Lee, Visual Country (Brooklyn, NY)
Adrian Lipscombe, 40 Acres Project (Austin, TX)
Trisha Zemp and Michelle Leavitt, Golden Coil (Provo, Utah)
Julie Purpura, Avenir Creative (Chicago, IL)
Personal Essay: Just Say No. (But Also, Say Yes!)
Ashley Streicher. Striiike (Auburn, CA)
Sherri McMullen, McMullen (Oakland, CA)
Joyce and Jane Zhu, Numa Foods (Fallsington, PA)
Gabrielle Stanley Blair, Design Mom, Alt Summit (Argentan, France)
Heather Moore, photographer (Brooklyn, NY)
Sara Bybee Fisk, Sarah Fisk Coaching (Loveland, CO)
Personal Essay: Advocate For Yourself
Carol Lim, Opening Ceremony (Los Angeles, CA)
Tallia Feltis, Neighborhood Art Center (Provo, UT)
Arianne Foulks, Aeolidia (Seattle, WA)
Kimi Matsumura, Chicago Autism Network (Chicago, IL)
Tanya Aguiñiga, artist (Los Angeles, CA)
Personal Essay: Money Talk (Please Talk About It!)
Kelita Hollins, Train Moment (Chicago, IL)
Karen Mordechai, Sunday Suppers (Los Angeles, CA)
Tia Cibani, Tia Cibani Kids (Cross River, New York)
Jeanine Valrie Logan, South Side Birth Center (Chicago, IL)
Ellen Bennett, Hedley & Bennett (Los Angeles, CA)
Personal Essay: You’re Never Too Old to Be an Intern
Betsy Fore, Tiny Organics (Chicago, IL)
Carolyn Suzuki, Carolyn Suzuki Studio (Los Angeles, CA)
Priscilla Gragg, photographer (San Francisco, CA)
Maayan Zilberman, Sweet Saba (Brooklyn, NY)
Heather Dawes, Slim Pickins Outfitters (Mingus, TX)
Personal Essay: Boundaries
Personal Essays: Create Your Own Community
Caroline Rodrigues, Merci Milo (Portland, OR)
Marilyn Sheperd and August Tye, Hyde Park School of Dance (Chicago, IL)
Freda Narh, Chasing a Spider Publishing (Sacramento, CA)
Beatrice Valenzuela, designer (Los Angeles, CA)
Personal Essay: Let’s Talk Taxes
Alex Larosa, Alex Larosa Bakery (Brooklyn, NY)
Suneera Madhani, Stax Payment (Orlando, FL)
Randi Brookman Harris, prop stylist (Los Angeles, CA)
Julie O’Rourke, Rudy Jude (Linconville, ME)
Personal Essay: Embrace the Seasons of Motherhood
Roma Desai Patel, Tejari (Atlanta, GA)
Emma Straub. Books Are Magic (Brooklyn, NY)
Chamin Ajjan, Chamin Ajjan Psychotherapy (Brooklyn, NY)
Personal Essay: Dream Big
Joy Cho, Oh Joy! (Los Angeles, CA)
Priscilla R. Vega, PR Vega (Los Angeles, CA)
Maira Kalman, artist (New York, NY)
Sarah Paiji Yoo, Blueland (New York, NY)
Personal Essay: You’re Your Most Valued Employee
Nina Barnieh-Blair, Nina B Design (New York, NY)
Erika Nakamura & Jocelyn Guest, Due Madri (New York, NY)
Shannon Watts, Moms Demand Action (Lafayette, CA)
K’era Morgan, k-apostrophe (Los Angeles, CA)
Veronique Nguyen, Les Gamins (Brooklyn, NY)
Personal Essay: Roll with the Rejections
Fany Gerson, Fan-Fan Doughnuts (Brooklyn, NY)
Suann Song, Appointed (Bethesda, MD)
Michelle Ranavat, Ranavat (Los Angeles, CA)
Melissa Goldstein & Natalia Rachlin, Mother Tongue (Los Angeles, CA and Houston, Texas)
Personal Essay: Always Have a Contract
Jaycina Almond, The Tender Foundation (Atlanta, GA)
Wendy Juarez, Prime Corn (Salt Lake City, UT)
Clare Vivier, Clare V. (Los Angeles, CA)
Sarah Sherman Samuel, SSS Edit (Ada,Michigan)
Miriam Milord, BCakeNY (Brooklyn, NY)
Personal Essay: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
Justina Blakeney, The Jungalow (Los Angeles, CA)
Amanda Stewart, Mochi Kids (Salt Lake City, UT)
Einat Admony, Balaboosta (Brooklyn NY)
Cary Vaughan and Jenna Wilson, Ace & Jig (Portland, OR, and Brooklyn, NY)
Leonor Perretta, Peretta Law (West Jordan, UT)
Personal Essay: How to Plan Maternity Leave (The Best You Can!)
Elle Rowley, Solly Baby (Bonsall, CA)
Amber Lee, Visual Country (Brooklyn, NY)
Adrian Lipscombe, 40 Acres Project (Austin, TX)
Trisha Zemp and Michelle Leavitt, Golden Coil (Provo, Utah)
Julie Purpura, Avenir Creative (Chicago, IL)
Personal Essay: Just Say No. (But Also, Say Yes!)
Ashley Streicher. Striiike (Auburn, CA)
Sherri McMullen, McMullen (Oakland, CA)
Joyce and Jane Zhu, Numa Foods (Fallsington, PA)
Gabrielle Stanley Blair, Design Mom, Alt Summit (Argentan, France)
Heather Moore, photographer (Brooklyn, NY)
Sara Bybee Fisk, Sarah Fisk Coaching (Loveland, CO)
Personal Essay: Advocate For Yourself
Carol Lim, Opening Ceremony (Los Angeles, CA)
Tallia Feltis, Neighborhood Art Center (Provo, UT)
Arianne Foulks, Aeolidia (Seattle, WA)
Kimi Matsumura, Chicago Autism Network (Chicago, IL)
Tanya Aguiñiga, artist (Los Angeles, CA)
Personal Essay: Money Talk (Please Talk About It!)
Kelita Hollins, Train Moment (Chicago, IL)
Karen Mordechai, Sunday Suppers (Los Angeles, CA)
Tia Cibani, Tia Cibani Kids (Cross River, New York)
Jeanine Valrie Logan, South Side Birth Center (Chicago, IL)
Ellen Bennett, Hedley & Bennett (Los Angeles, CA)
Personal Essay: You’re Never Too Old to Be an Intern
Betsy Fore, Tiny Organics (Chicago, IL)
Carolyn Suzuki, Carolyn Suzuki Studio (Los Angeles, CA)
Priscilla Gragg, photographer (San Francisco, CA)
Maayan Zilberman, Sweet Saba (Brooklyn, NY)
Heather Dawes, Slim Pickins Outfitters (Mingus, TX)
Personal Essay: Boundaries
Personal Essays: Create Your Own Community
Caroline Rodrigues, Merci Milo (Portland, OR)
Marilyn Sheperd and August Tye, Hyde Park School of Dance (Chicago, IL)
Freda Narh, Chasing a Spider Publishing (Sacramento, CA)
Beatrice Valenzuela, designer (Los Angeles, CA)
Personal Essay: Let’s Talk Taxes
Alex Larosa, Alex Larosa Bakery (Brooklyn, NY)
Suneera Madhani, Stax Payment (Orlando, FL)
Randi Brookman Harris, prop stylist (Los Angeles, CA)
Julie O’Rourke, Rudy Jude (Linconville, ME)
Personal Essay: Embrace the Seasons of Motherhood

Editorial Reviews

As any mother knows, the balance between finding gratification in your work and spending quality time with your kids, all while avoiding mom guilt, is a constant challenge. And it’s compounded when you see social media highlight reels showing mothers seemingly doing it all, having it all, looking great, and feeling great. The stories in Mother/Founder pull back the curtain in a way that is truly relatable, helpful, and inspiring. It will get you dreaming in a new, exciting way.”—Molly Yeh, New York Times bestselling author and Food Network host

“I wish this book existed when I was raising my three boys and building my first beauty brand! The stories of these mother founders are so inspirational, and remind any woman who is starting a business and juggling the demands of a family that they’re not alone. We see you. We’ve got you. Now go build your support system and crush it.”—Bobbi Brown, makeup artist and founder of Jones Road Beauty

“A true companion for anyone weathering that seemingly impossible distance between making lunches and making launch day, this book is equal parts a whisper to keep going and a thunderclap to start today. These are the stories we need more than ever.”—Katie Thurmes Gloeckler, cofounder of Artifact Uprising

“Full of stories and practical advice from a diverse group of mother entrepreneurs that is sure to inspire you like it inspired me.” —Aran Goyoaga, James Beard–nominated author of Cannelle et Vanille cookbooks

“How did this book not exist until now? Reading these working moms’ stories, their advice, and the brass tacks of their daily routines gave me much-needed affirmation as I navigate life with my new baby while going after my professional dreams. It’s hard! But as one contributor aptly put it, my work makes me who I am, and it makes me a better mother. This book was like chicken soup for my tired-mom soul.”—Hopie Stockman Hill, co-founder and CEO of Block Shop Textiles

“Mother/Founder shines a much-needed light on the complex and profound journey of being a mom entrepreneur. Amanda and Jennifer have created within the pages of this book a community for those of us holding up economies, families, and dreams, and reminded us: we’ve got this.”—Karen Chan, author, lawyer, and founder of Gloo Books

“Reading this book is like being invited into a circle of wise and brilliant mothers who generously share their experience and advice on creating fulfilling careers on their own terms. An empowering reminder that there is no one perfect blueprint to motherhood and successful entrepreneurship.”—Erin Jang, illustrator and founder of the Indigo Bunting

From the Publisher