The face behind Blooming Births- Chantel Kismet!

 

What’s your Story?

Living as my authentic self, in love with painting and connecting with nature. Laughter and breathwork is my medicine. My journey into birth work was sparked by my traumatic birth experience and postpartum depression. Through my experience, I saw the gap in support and empowerment in women to take charge of their health and birth. Through the last 5 years, I’ve evolved the business and now offer women’s coaching, parenting coaching and trauma release through somatics. Currently learning from Dr Gabor Mate to deepen my skills to support women who have experienced any kind of trauma.

How & Why did you start your company/passion work? 

My journey into birth work was sparked by my traumatic birth experience and postpartum depression. Through my experience, I saw the gap in support and empowerment in women to take charge of their health and birth. Through the last 5 years, I’ve evolved the business and now offer women’s coaching, parenting coaching and trauma release through somatics. Currently learning from Dr Gabor Mate to deepen my skills to support women who have experienced any kind of trauma.

How do you bring BALANCE to your roles as MOTHER: FOUNDER: SELF? 

Striking balance as a mother, founder, and individual is rooted in aligning with my values and intentions. A cornerstone of this balance is trusting my intuition and embracing mindfulness, which demands grounding and presence. Integrating breathwork into my mornings and evenings, along with regular meditation and journaling, forms a vital part of my daily routine. Setting clear intentions and boundaries help me decide where my energy should go. Every Friday, I carve out a dedicated three hours for self-care, and every quarter, I treat myself to a rejuvenating staycation, reveling in the bliss of solitude. Working with a coach has also helped me!

Any recent accomplishment you would like to share with us? (personal/professional) 

I’ve come really far on my own healing journey and I’ve really proud of it! We’ve been invited to podcasts (Honeykids Asia) and even featured on a documentary with Vasantham. Proud to have won awards with Expat Living as well

 

What would you like to say to fellow mothers or women thinking of starting a business? 

There will be multiple times where you feel like your heart is pulled in different directions. It’s so important to prioritize self-care without guilt. Taking care of yourself is not a luxury but a necessity for sustained success in both your personal and professional life. Recognize the unique strengths and skills you bring as a mother. Parenthood hones resilience, time-management, and multitasking abilities—valuable assets in entrepreneurship. Don’t hesitate to seek support from family, friends, or professionals. Delegating tasks allows you to focus on essential aspects of both motherhood and business.

What are three words you would use to describe your experience of being a Mother/Founder ? 

Empowering, transformative, and tiring!

Find & Know More about Chantel and her brand! 

Connect with her. 

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Website: https://www.blooming-births.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BloomingBirthsDoulas/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloomingbirthsdoulas/
Linkedin: https://sg.linkedin.com/in/ckismet

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

Amreena Jan & her Passionate blog that she runs!

What’s your story?

Well, I’m a full-time superhero mom, donning my cape by day and my writer’s hat by night. By day, I’m a dedicated Growth Manager, steering the ship of a private organization toward prosperity. I specialize in crafting strategies that foster growth, efficiency, and innovation. But that’s not all! Beyond the boardroom, I don a different hat, that of a skilled blogger. My writing style is characterized by its humor, wit, and an inherent sense of fun. My blog is a testament to this, offering readers an enjoyable escape from the mundane. Furthermore, I’m a Content Strategist, adept at shaping brand identities and crafting compelling narratives. This role involves a delicate dance between strategy and creativity, resulting in a symphony of brand success stories. And then there’s the most epic role of all: Mom. Balancing the chaos of work and life is a rollercoaster I wouldn’t trade for the world. It’s a wild adventure, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

How & Why did you start your company/passion work? 

I am a food engineering graduate with a master’s degree specializing in food nanotechnology. My passion for writing ignited at an early age, when my first poem was published in “THE HINDU” during my grade 2. From there till now, I have been a co-author of a couple of scientific books. This fervor for writing took a new direction as I ventured into the world of blogging, where I poured my 3 a.m. thoughts onto the digital canvas. Gradually, I transformed my passion into a profession because I firmly believe in the adage,

“Love what you do, and do what you love to survive.“

My journey commenced as a content developer and evolved into a content strategist. I also had the privilege of working as a corporate communication specialist in the dynamic landscape of the United Arab Emirates. In addition I wear several hats, including those of a voice-over artist, scriptwriter and a budding artist. Today, I am spreading my wings even further, aiming higher, and assisting brands in their growth journey as a Growth Manager. Throughout this diverse journey, one constant remains – my unwavering love for writing and the art of crafting compelling stories.

 

How do you bring BALANCE to your roles as MOTHER: FOUNDER: SELF? 

Balancing the intricate dance of work and life is like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle on a tightrope. My journey has been an exhilarating adventure, with work as my canvas and family as my guiding star. As a driven professional, I tackle each workday with ambition and innovation, channeling my multifaceted talents into everything I do. But when the clock strikes ‘family time,’ I switch gears with enthusiasm, cherishing the moments with my loved ones. In this ever-evolving journey, I find solace in being resourceful and resilient, constantly seeking creative solutions to navigate life’s twists and turns. It’s a balancing act, no doubt, but it’s one that fuels my passion and allows me to craft stories that inspire and resonate. So, how do I bring balance to my life? By embracing the chaos, cherishing the quiet moments, and finding joy in every step of the adventure. It’s a journey I wouldn’t trade for the world.

 

Any recent accomplishment you would like to share with us? (personal/professional) 

At work- I’m all about teamwork at work, often dubbed ‘Captain Cool’ by colleagues. Approachable and lively, I believe in creating a positive work environment. At home- But when it’s family time, it’s a whole different game – no work distractions allowed. I’m fully present for my loved ones while pursuing my passion. I deliberately took a career break to savor those precious moments with my little ones. I didn’t want them cared for by anyone else; I wanted to be there for their first steps, first words, and all the little joys in between. I deeply admire moms who balance it all, but I was fortunate enough to take a break. I lived those moments and when I was ready, I came back – better and stronger! So mommys don’t fear the career break. Trust the process and get back when you are really ready for it!

What would you like to say to fellow mothers or women thinking of starting a business? 

To my fellow mommys out there, It may seem daunting to juggle parenthood with entrepreneurship, but remember, you’ve already mastered the art of multitasking like a pro. So, why not channel that superpower into creating something remarkable? Starting a business or chasing your dreams is like embarking on an exciting adventure. Sure, there will be challenges along the way, but every twist and turn is an opportunity for growth. And let’s not forget the immense satisfaction that comes from building something of your own. So, put on your ‘Mompreneur’ cape and take that leap of faith. The world needs more of your unique talents and perspectives. Your journey might not always be smooth, but it will undoubtedly be worth it.

What are three words you would use to describe your experience of being a Mother/Founder ? 

Three words to describe my experience as a mother-founder would be: Inspiring, challenging, and rewarding.

Find & Know More about Amreena and her brand! 

Connect with her.

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Website: https://amreenajan.blogspot.com/
Facebook: n/a
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thequirky_dna?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amreena-jan-a06aa4b9/

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

Who is Nat from Infinite Wellness / Curious Baby Elephant Artisanal Studio?

What’s your story?

My name is Nat. The founder of these 2 social enterprises, Infinite Wellness and Curious Baby Elephant Artisanal Studio.

I have always love to create, design, strategize and build a brand… see how far it can grow and how it impacts the society, community, humanity, and the world.

These 2 brands were built from the love of how we can help humankind and how we can give back.

i) Curious Baby Elephant Artisanal Studio
Curious Baby Elephant: https://www.curiousbabyelephant.com/
FB & IG: @curiousbabyelephant

A social enterprise that believes in sustaining a balanced ecosystem in the world for our future generation. Our crafted baby and children’s products are made of natural, organic, eco-friendly materials. They are meticulously sourced for its purest certified material, quality, safety standards and sustainable nature. Each product and category are driven by a cause and has a strong concept behind it. Every purchase, gives back.

ii) Infinite Wellness Studio
Infinite Wellness: https://infinite-wellness.org/
FB & IG: @infinitewellnessorg

A social enterprise that supports the importance of a balanced body, mind, and spirit. We offer curated therapeutic classes and workshops.

BODY: Exercise. Sleep. Nutrition.

“I am physically active, eat mostly whole foods, and prioritize my sleep”.

MIND: Meditation. Reflection. Perspective.

“I am aware of my emotions – I tune into myself, express gratitude, and positive affirmations. I engage in creative and stimulating activities that helps me find my peace and balance”.

SPIRIT: Purpose. Renewal. Connection.

“I am aware of my purpose in the community. I find kindness, joy and happiness in the little things and the love of nature”.

We hope that what we offer can help raise awareness and make the difference in the world, and overall help to raise the level of collective consciousness of humanity.

 

 

Any recent accomplishment you would like to share with us? (personal/professional)

Recently, Curious Baby Elephant Artisanal Studio has won “Parent & Baby Awards 2023: Best Artisan Baby Bib Designers 2023 – Hong Kong”. We are so blessed and grateful.

Find & Know More about Nat and her brand! Nat is a member of the The Mother/Founder Movement & Community

Connect with her.

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• Website: https://www.curiousbabyelephant.com/ https://infinite-wellness.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curiousbabyelephant/ https://www.facebook.com/infinitewellnessorg/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiousbabyelephant/ https://www.instagram.com/infinitewellnessorg/
• Linkedin: n/a

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

Who is Anu Shenoy from Veira Life Pte Ltd?

What’s your story?

I am a computer engineer by training and started my career in the tech industry. In 2008 I completed my MBA at INSEAD and moved to Oil and Gas and worked at Shell. As a woman leader I did my best to support moms as they made their transition into motherhood because it felt like the right thing to do. But it was only when I had my daughter 12 years ago that I could truly understand the magnitude of challenges women face on a daily basis as they navigate their motherhood journey. My own journey was tough and despite all my resources and means I struggled quite a bit.

I have always known that I want to be entrepreneur and when I felt ready to quit my job and take the plunge into full time founder life, I knew from my personal experience that I wanted my company to be about supporting women. During Covid my co-founder and I started running a series of extensive interviews with women of all ages and from all over the world. It helped us figure out where we could create the biggest impact in the life of women. This is how Veira Life was conceived. Veira is a Femtech startup that provides comprehensive and personalised support to women in their motherhood journey. We do it through a custom built platform that hosts information, prenatal classes, coaching from certified maternity/returnity professionals, events, and an integrated teleconsulting platform that hosts a large panel of experts in health, wellness, fitness, psychotherapy and career.

Today, at Veira, we have users (both women and their spouses) from all over the globe. We feel blessed and privileged to be able to do work that is meaningful and creates real impact in the lives of women and families at a precious and vulnerable time.

How do you bring BALANCE to your roles as MOTHER:FOUNDER:SELF?
I do 3 things that help me bring balance:
1) I follow a routine in the morning that helps me start the day right.
2) I make time for and find happiness in the small moments – whether it be a walk in nature, a coffee break, Sunday brunch with my family, celebrating milestones and achievements with the team. I enjoy these moments with my full presence and intention instead of being distracted or multi-tasking.
3) I find time for self-care: yoga, strength training, eating right, reading a book, connecting with a friend.

All of this helps me fill my cup and be resilient through the roller-coaster of running a startup. I also

 What are three words you would use to describe your experience of being a Mother/Founder ?
Meaningful, Passionate, Dynamic

What would you like to say to fellow mothers thinking of starting a business?
1) Be willing to learn, roll up your sleeves and dig in. Don’t be intimidated by the unknown. Once you put in the time to explore, do and learn – you will be surprised how quickly you will build your confidence in each new thing you try your hand at – whether it be drafting legal contracts, financial modelling, creating complex workflows or sales and business development. At Veira, we have a saying that

it takes us 15 days to learn something new. So devote 15 days of whole hearted work and research and you will be astonished at how far you will go.
2) Make time for your health. Take the time to refresh and renew your spirit. Building a business is stupendously tough and you will need your health and resilience. So don’t neglact your own self.

3) Find your tribe. You will find support in the likeliest and the most unlikeliest of places. So do not shy away from putting your hand up and asking for help or sponsorship or whatever it is that you need. What’s the worst that could happen – you will face rejection. That’s hardly the end of the world. Most times you will receive help and support.

4) Grow a thick skin. Reframe failures as milestones and learning opportunities. Take rejection in your stride. Run the Stop signs. Only you can decide what stops you. Only you can stop you.

Find & Know More about Anu and her brand

 

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• Website: https://veiralife.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veiralife
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veiralife/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anupamashenoy/

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

Who is Esther Wong from Leelaloom Handwoven?

As Esther says:

My name is Esther, I am a mother of four children two boys and two girls. I am the cofounder and co owner of Leelaloom handwoven. We are a Hong Kong based company, that sells natural dyed, handwoven wraps and ring slings that are all handmade by weaving villages in Thailand. My business partner Dee Burton and I are both passionate about babywearing. We are both certified babywearing educators, we host small group workshops and private one and one sessions to educate parents and caregivers on safe babywearing, how to correctly use their baby carrier and how to pick a baby carrier best suited for their family.

Find & Know More about Esther and her brand

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• Website: leelaloomhandwoven.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leelaloom/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leelaloomhandwoven/
• Linkedin: n/a

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

Who is Sapna from the Smart Mama?

As sapna says: 

Sapna considered herself to be a habitual entrepreneur who is essentially addicted to the stimulus. She first incorporated her own company trading frequency-controlled products and semiconductors at the age of 21 and then expanded into household and consumer products.

Her life changed when she had her son, who is now five years old and has also been her source of inspiration for her brand Smart Mama which carries a range of beautifully embroidered award-winning play books, wall charts and other unique products which are meticulously hand stitched by master embroiderers and designed to engage young minds through play. She struggled to find quality toys that didn’t require batteries or an outlet but were still considered ‘fun’ to play with and were educational all at the same time.

Together with her son, Sapna explored new ways to play with toys and games and suddenly there were single, simple ideas that opened up to a whole new world of possibilities and the designer within emerged. Using all the imagination and wonder of the universe, experimenting and patience, Sapna was able to design and develop products she felt she wanted to bring home to her own child, and to every child’s home.

Sapna recently won the Hong Kong Smart Design Award for one of her books, the award ceremony shall take place in June 2023 which the entire team is very excited about.

Passion and Perseverance never fail. To be a successful entrepreneur in any field, the first most important thing is to be passionate and believe in your idea, your concept, and the second is to never give up, and to never stop expanding your skills and avenues for creativity. Humility and patience are also essential to be an entrepreneur. Because there will be days you will have downfalls and question your ideas. Sapna believes that if you are developing products, you also have to want to create products, not for monetary reasons, but to really bring a product to the table that can change or improve lives. You have to want to produce something that you would like, that resonates with you.

Find & Know More about Sapna and her brand

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• Website: http://www.smartmama.com.hk
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/smartmamahk
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/smartmamahk
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/sapna-hemrajani-35545b89

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

Who is Wasuwee from The Play Collective?

As Wasuwee says:

We are both moms and early childhood educators who are passionate about play, child development and conscious parenting. We believe in the power of open-ended toys and how these can foster healthy development and overall well-being in young children. Years of experience in early childhood settings have shown us that carefully curated toys and a well thought-out environment makes a play experience more meaningful and enriching.

We hope that what we do at The Play Collective is something that you have been looking for. We look forward to growing a community of like-minded individuals who believe that play is an essential part of life.

Find & Know More about  Wasuwee and her brand

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• Website: n/a
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theplaycollectivehk/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/direct/t/17842023746459204/the_play_collective
• Linkedin: n/a

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

Who is Rani Sherin Idris from the Consciousness network?

As Rani says:

Growing up, I had many issues that ranged from rejection to estrangement. I unfortunately did not know that help was available, so I coped by denying my issues, distracting myself and pretending that all was well.

When my load got heavier, I had to change tactics, I DIY-ed managing my issues and caring for myself. I read up, did a masters in religious studies, and helped myself – that’s why its called self-help, right? Yes it helped, but it was a painful decade of slow healing.

When I became a mother, I had severe postpartum issues and I was adviced that I should seek help. I reluctantly did, because notse I believe that a stranger would understand my struggles and my pain?

Five years later, I am in a much better place today! Not perfect, far from it, I am still a work in progress, but how I truly wish I knew that I could seek help much much earlier – it would have saved the younger and vulnerable me from suffering alone in silence for all those years!

I have had the privilege of being cared for by passionate and professional therapists, coaches and teachers. They facilitated my detachment from the stories that trapped me in a vicious loop and into the zone of healing, clarity, love and purposeful action. My journey’s highlight is that I am not… alone!

It gives me deep joy to be a facilitator of personal growth. To me, this is my highest calling and in line with the nurturing role of a mother. My clarity and self-awareness allow me to be a present mother to my two children. And their presence helps me connect with my inner child and my sense of wonder and mystery!

I know keep in mind that help is always available to us in every milestone of our journey. we can deepen our awareness, master our emotions, form deep, authentic relationships, communicate with clarity and unlock our fullest potential. And I look forward to seeing how you change the world by showing up as who you were always meant to be.

Find & Know More about Rani and her brand

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• Website: n/a
• Facebook: n/a
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Tranquilstates/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shereen-mohd-idris-bin-s-ali/
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Rani is joining us as a Vendor at the Mother/Founder Conference in Singapore May 2023! and shall have some special offers to announce for the day! Join us on May 25th 2023. 

Tickets Available: Click Here

 

If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community, fill out this Interest Form and we will reach out to you.

Who is Sanchita Daswani?

As Sanchita Says:

Hi, I’m Sanchita.

I am a Nutrition Consultant for Babies and Toddlers where I focus on guiding and empowering parents to confidently offer meals to their kids. By creating the right environment, with balanced and varied meals, we will allow our kids to develop a positive relationship with food and their hunger cues.

Additionally, I focus on helping parents holistically heal their babies from any issues, such as Eczema, constipation, food allergies and more, arising from introducing these foods.

I’m an Indian mom, born and brought up in the Caribbean, currently living in Hong Kong raising my twins. I realised early on that the first few years of life set a strong foundation for our future in terms of our health, eating habits and nutrition.

When it came to introducing solids to my babies, I remember it being a very daunting experience. With so much information out there, it was hard to navigate what would work best for my babies based on our diet and lifestyle. This experience paved the way for me to expand my knowledge and become a Certified Nutrition Consultant.

As a Consultant, I help clarify parents’ doubts and provide support for their babies and toddlers to build their taste palettes and obtain optimal growth through nutrient-dense and easily digestible foods.

We all strive to bring up healthy, happy kids. Let’s work together to bring upon the changes that will have a positive impact on our children.

Find & Know More about Anita and her brand

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• Website: http://www.sanchitadaswani.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanchitadaswaninutritionconsultantforbabies
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanchitadaswani
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanchita-mahtani-88450b35/

If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community, fill out this Interest Form and we will reach out to you.

Who is Andrea Discepola from the Vin Min?

As Andrea Discepola says:

vin + min is a Singapore-based resort and beachwear label that was started in 2017 in Hong Kong by besties Vinima (aka Vin) & Andrea (aka Min). Vinima, mom of 2 boys, and Andrea, mom of 2 girls, met at their condo play gym one afternoon and the rest is history – the fact was, where there was Vin, there was Min!

As the duration of life in Hong Kong was indefinite at the time, and given all the time the ladies spent together, they often expressed the desire to start a business together. Business ideas were thrown back and forth for months and months! Finally, the beach kaftan concept arose from the duo’s love for glamour & fashion, and can you get any more glamorous than a kaftan? Within 2 months of coming up with their brand name, vin + min literally got down to business and released their Launch Collection in Hong Kong in November 2017, and another month later, they were available online! Sadly, in June 2018, Vinima moved back to the US where she currently works in e-Commerce for a multinational corporation, and Andrea relocated back to her native land, Singapore, where she continues to run the brand.

As a mom, vin + min has allowed Andrea to demonstrate to her girls that we make the most of our situations, look for positivity and joy in all circumstances, and keep an open mind so that we may be able to find our purpose where we didn’t imagine we ever would. A lawyer by training, Andrea has been unable to practice law in Hong Kong or Singapore as she is not locally qualified in either jurisdiction, a requirement for those in family law practice, which still remains a passion of hers. Her journey of becoming qualified as a lawyer has been quite the roller coaster in fact, due to the births of her two daughters in 2012 and 2016 and multiple moves in between, from Australia to Canada to Singapore to Hong Kong and back to Singapore! Feeling quite frustrated at times at the circumstances and always questioning “why did I go through all of that to now be doing nothing [related to the law]”, Andrea is grateful that although life has taken her on a convoluted route, she feels that being a fashion entrepreneur has in turn has given her work-life balance, and most importantly, the ability to put her family first. vin + min has also allowed Andrea to teach her girls about working before playing hard, even on vacations to Bali, where vin + min’s designs are manufactured and most of the photoshoots are done (including putting the girls to work as models for her kids kaftans). vin + min has also provided an avenue for giving back to the community.

In 2020, vin + min transitioned into a not-for-profit brand and all profits from all sales currently go to providing bi-weekly food bags, called “Sembako”, to 30 families in Bali, a true testament of where passion meets purpose. This is only the first step in vin + min’s vision of giving back and making a difference. vin + min endeavours to become a full fledged social enterprise in Bali when travel becomes possible once again.

Find & Know More about Anita and her brand

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• Website: https://www.vinandmin.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vinandminco
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinandmin/
• Linkedin: n/a

If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community, fill out this Interest Form and we will reach out to you.