THE MOTHER NATURE
THE FAMILY GROOVE'S PROFILE OF A MOM WHO'S MAKING IT HAPPEN
Gone are the days of the traditional coffee clutch because at THE FAMILY GROOVE we're doing it new school,
bringing people together to laugh, learn, share and commiserate in the global village called the Internet.
This month we want you to meet Vanessa Mathison, a woman whose warmth, realness, charisma and lust
for life jump through the computer. As a mother of two young ones, co-owner and co-designer of the
burgeoning modern-chic kids' clothing company Kea +Joby (
www.keaandjoby.com) and wife to Cameron
Mathison, actor, TV star and
Dancing with the Stars' celebrity hoofer, Mathison seems to have mastered a
very paradoxical feat: soaring through life while still living with her feet planted firmly on the ground.
Here, she talks about the unconditional love she has for her children, her in-demand kids' clothing line and how a peaceful mind is the only way to true happiness.
1. Who are you?
Vanessa Mathison
2. How old are you?
40
3. Where do you live?
New York City
4. How many children do you have? How old?
I have two children, Lucas, four and a half years old, and Leila, 17 months.
5. What time do you get up?
I am not very good with the mornings because Leila still wakes up once a night. I try to sleep as late as possible, so it's usually 7am—sometimes 7:30.
6. What daily rituals must you do to feel normal?
Take a shower and drink coffee.
7. What do you wish you'd do everyday, but haven't been able to incorporate into your routine?
I have a stack of books that I would love to read but cannot find the time during my day to do it and I would love to meditate everyday.
8. Do you work?
Besides being a full-time mother, I also have a children's clothing line, KEA+JOBY, with my partner Niccole Kroll.
9. What do you do?
We both do everything from design, research and media appearances to sales, answering the phone and processing orders. We used to do everything on the manufacturing side as well but we just recently hired a production manager. Because of our recent rapid success, we have also hired an office manager who helps us with the daily administrative work.
10. Tell us about it.
Since I joined KEA+JOBY in February 2007, it has been an exciting and challenging adventure. I believe 100% in the brand and the product, and seeing customers and buyers respond so positively has increased my passion for enduring long hours and lots of work. Being in the work force again is wonderful. I always knew I would go back, and being able to work with a brand that brings me even closer to my children in concept and focus is a dream come true. As a model, I was always involved in fashion but never allowed to give my input in the design process. With KEA+JOBY, I am finally able to use my fashion knowledge and exposure to top European brands and make this the best children's line around.
11. What does being a good mother mean?
Being a good mother means to me: loving unconditionally, allowing them to be who they are and make mistakes, listening and acknowledging all of their feelings and letting them make their own choices and learn from them.
12. What's your mantra/personal philosophy?
Happiness comes from within. If our mind is not peaceful, we shall never be happy, even if our external conditions are perfect.
13. What do you tell other mothers?
I don't like to give other mothers advice from my own experiences as a mother. I like everyone to take their own journey, but I do believe in educating yourself as a parent. I don't buy into the myth of instinctual parenting.
14. Finish this sentence: I want my children to know ....
...that no matter what they do in their lives, I will love them unconditionally and support them any way I can.
15. Who inspires you?
My partner, Niccole Kroll, and my spiritual teacher, Julia Strohm, who helps me look at the world in a better way.
16. What are you passionate about?
My children's happiness.
17. How do you balance your life as a woman, a mother, a friend?
I definitely do not have this one perfected. I spend most of my time being a mother, not enough time being a friend and getting better at taking care of myself and being a woman.
18. What do you wish you knew then that you know now?
To trust myself and that knowledge is power.
Believe nothing, no matter where you read it or who has said it, not even if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense—Buddha
19. How do you get your groove on?
S Factor! And I do it purely for myself and no one else.
For more from this inspiring mom, go to
www.keaandjoby.com.
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