A woman really can do it all!
Need proof? Look no further than Fiona Sahakian, owner of Posh Peanut, which provides basic essentials for baby with matching pieces for mom that are anything but basic. The brand is synonymous with high-quality, functional comfort -- think swaddles and rompers for babies and maxi dresses and robes for mom -- in a whimsical array of colors in luxe bamboo. The pieces are buttery-soft, trendy, and oh so picture perfect.
Fiona launched Posh Peanut in 2011 with an inventive excitement and a genuine love for children and children's clothing. Since then, the wife and mother of two has been wearing her working mother title like a boss and garnering a very loyal following (follow them on Insta to sneak a peek at some of their cutest fans). She hasn't stopped, even when current events call for working from home.
"I work with my kids around me. We don’t all have luxury of space to create a separate office. I believe your kids gain value from watching you hustle. For instance, yesterday we had a design meeting and I printed out sketches for my daughter to draw her own designs and create mood boards while I took the call. Get them involved if possible and it keeps them busy while you work," Fiona says.
We were lucky enough to snag a few moments of this busy mama's day to get to know her a bit better.
The best piece of advice for a mom with an idea?
The best piece of advice I would give to any mom who has a business idea is that any idea is a good idea and you should go for it. Research your idea, know your audience, and who your consumer would be. Know how you will fund your idea and know your numbers. I think as moms we are hesitant to start a new venture and question how we will juggle kids and balance family life. If you truly want to start your own business I believe nothing can stop you and you will find a way to go after your passion.
What’s something you’d love for the world to know about Posh Peanut that they won’t necessarily glean from your social media channels?
I think a lot of people don't see how many people it takes to create and develop Posh Peanut. We have a huge team that is not present throughout social channels and they are the driving force behind the brand. I always say we act small but we are mighty.
What's your favorite story/testimonial that you’ve heard from Posh moms?
Oh, we have so many good stories and testimonials but I think my favorite is from moms within our community that share kind words and stories daily in our group. I think something that sticks out the most is that we are not just a product. We have built a community where moms come to share personal stories with strangers, give and take advice, and Posh Peanut goes beyond a product. We really have the best community of moms and its refreshing to hear that they don't only come back because we make cute, comfy clothes, but because of the community we have created.
What are the most important elements in your life that allow you to create boundaries and balance?
I don't think I have balance and my boundary is my husband when he says "you need to stop working now" -- haha! I love to work and I've been doing this a long time but I'm 100 percent dedicated to my career and my family.
A few elements I try to incorporate in my weekly schedule is to be able to pick up my kids from school at least three days a week and be present during that time with no work distractions before they're off to bed. Listen, when you're a company founder, it's really hard not to always be on, it's a part of the job. But I think anyone will agree that we try our best to live in the moment and be present with our families any chance we get. One thing as a family we do is to travel a lot. Traveling allows all of us to be together and break away from our routines. Even if it is a small weekend getaway, it makes me be present and enjoy the 3-4 days fully we have together.
