Close Enough to Kiss

[kangaroomamas]

A New Direction

In 2014, Michaela and I (Misty), established Kangaroomamas as an educational and supporitve blog. We had the idea of sharing our perspective and experience with others. I was just breaking into the babywearing world, while Michaela had already been an active practicer and member of the online community. We quickly realized just how big of an undertaking this was. Soon after, we decided to bring on Miranda. She had expierence with other style carriers that we had not, and was also on her way to becoming a VBE. The three of us have been around, gaining a following and presence, in the online babywearing community.

However, our busy lives interfered with our original vision of releasing tutorials and advice on a regular basis. We have had many tried and failed attempts at this! I myself am a mother of 4 very active boys, and have recently gone back to work. Michaela has 2 girls, is now pregnant with her 3rd, has a job, and is a member of the Air National Guard. Miranda has 2 boys, a full time job, and is a single mother. Along with our busy lives interferring, we realized that there are already SO many wonderful educators out there doing what we could not, on a normal and predictable schedule.

So we've decided that it is time for a change. Kangaroomamas has always been about support, and we want to focus on that. We want to focus on the community that comes along with babywearing, and on the support that you or someone you might know, may need. When I first talked to my husband and family about babywearing, I was met with hesitation. I didn't get the full support that I would've liked, but I did find it online and in my local babywearing group. Many many other caregivers out there have similar stories. We want to be here for you. We want to share your success stories, your fails, your expectations, your love, your fears. We will lift you up and help you on your babywearing journey, be it if you're a beginner and seasoned veteran.

We will also be uplifting POC educators. If you are apart of the online babywearing community, you most likely notice a vast majority of educators are white. We want to make sure that POC educators are not drowned out and have a voice in this community.

We hope you will continue to support us as we make this focus change! Please feel free to message us with any questions or concerns! And as always, happy babywearing!

-The KangarooMamas Team

[kangaroomamas]

Time for another Spotlight!

Featuring Jaime Gassmann, owner of Bijou Wear. When we presented the Spotlight interview questions, she put her own Jaime spin on them ;)

Hello, KangarooMamas! Thanks for the opportunity to pull back the curtain a bit on the small-batch woven wrap baby carrier company Bijou Wear. You gave me a litany of questions, and I deleted all but one and just started riffing. Maybe that's more insight into the mind of Bijou than any other single answer would have been ;) 

What’s your six word story? Do it right, and have fun. 

They say that entrepreneurs are the only people who will work 70+ hours per week just so they don't have to work 40 for someone else. Absolutely true. I have a problem with authority, and I like to be in control of things that go out in the world with my name backing them. The only way to work with those constraints is to work for oneself! Bijou Wear deserves my passion, my brainpower, my time away from my family only because it is doing things the right way. At the end of each day I want to know my boys will have a good model of what the world of work should look like. It should be about caring for customers, employees, the planet, and those in need. Period. 

What does that look like in practice? A list:

Insisting on Made in the USA from stem to stern>Sourcing innovative fibers that perform

Developing original designs with artists 

Donating to meaningful babywearing charities (one supports military families, the other domestic violence survivors)

Collaborating with other entrepreneurs when possible>Building a supportive and vibrant fan community online (... but this one is going to need more than a bullet point)

Crafting a brand identity has been as much about cultivating an inspiring online community as it has been about superior textiles or even babywearing. Caring for babies and toddlers can be isolating in many ways. Having a group to which you can turn, at any moment in your day, to share ups or downs, can be invaluable. Our Facebook chatter group Bijou Buzz provides all of that and more.

Why does Bijou feel like home? It's authentic. I wear my kiddo. I use the fabrics I sell. I hate when something isn't accessible to me because I didn't attend a certain event. I hate when I can't find my size. I struggle to balance being "me" and also a caregiver. I hang out in the chatter group and delight in the connections made there. Bijou thrives because each decision is purposeful and from my lived experience as a babywearer. Because we're doing it right. And because you can feel, from the genuine warmth each customer extends to each other, that we're having fun. When raising children, the overall process is awesome despite the hazardous waste they produce and the crying and the tantrums. I have a bucket or two of failed fabric, maybe three or four. I keep every inch of it to remind me that this is hard. And that this is fun and exhilarating. All at the same time. Oh, so much like raising children. <3

[kangaroomamas]

Hi there! I'm looking for a good first wrap for a kiddo who is about 45 lbs. I know I'm a little late to the game but I'd love to wrap her when she's sick or tired and still be able to use the wrap with future babies I have. Any suggestions?

What kind of budget are you thinking? There’s a lot of woven wraps that can comfortably wrap a child that heavy! What kind of colors/patterns do you like? 

[kangaroomamas]

Our next spotlight interview is Sarah Tarwasokono, owner/operatior of Cari Slings. She’s become a very good friend of mine over the last year and a half, and is the most generous and caring person I have the pleasure of knowing! I hope you all enjoy getting a little peek at who she is through this interview! She isn’t big on talking about herself, so I had to pull teeth to get this for all of you 😉. Make sure to join Cari Slings Chatter for more fun!

Who was/is your biggest supporter throughout the process? My husband, also business partner, has been my biggest supporter.

How did you come up with the name for your company? What is the meaning behind it? The name “Cari Slings" is inspired by my Caribbean heritage.

Where do you get the inspiration for your designs?

We consider ourselves huge geeks, and we are inspired by many of our favorite fandoms. I am also inspired by my Caribbean Indian heritage, and we are looking to incorporate that into our designs in the near future.

Where do you see yourself and your company in 5 years? What is your ultimate goal?

We love the positive response that we have been getting for many of our designs as of late, and we hope to continue growing in that direction. Additionally, as mentioned previously, we are planning on incorporating designs that are meaningful to our Indian/Caribbean heritage. We also are planning on introducing more, environmentally friendly and ethically sourced fibers to our Chapters.

How do your wraps go from idea to tangible design? What’s the design process look like?

When inspiration strikes, I make lots of notes before going to my designer, Oksana, to make sure that once we’re ready to start working on the design, everything is in place. Once we start discussing, we go back and forth for a few weeks, narrowing down our ideas and finalizing the concept.

What do you think sets your company apart from others?

With the way the babywearing world is today, there is so much variety and we are unique in our own ways, and we all bring different things to the table. But I also like to think that exploring geeky/science culture with our wraps, and making our products accessible to babywearers of all walks, sets us apart in a sense.

What is the process of creating a wrap company from start to running?

There is a lot of research. Exploring options, finding the right resources and meeting with a lot of people, in person and over the phone/online. Preparing yourself for many doors closing… and paperwork, lots of paperwork. We started discussing the idea 4 years ago, and the reality of Cari Slings did not happen for another year and a half.

Are you committed to ethical resources and cultural recognition?

Yes, this is incredibly important to us!

If you didn’t collect wraps, what would you collect?

Geeky figurines and books.

What is your biggest challenge as a business owner?

Really, the biggest challenge as a business owner, with three young children, is balancing business with family life.

How did you decide which mill to work with for your wraps?

We started working with a few different mills at the birth of Cari Slings, but currently we have decided to stick with a local mill, for multiple reasons. They are environmentally conscious. They produce quality products. And they work together with us in exploring our creativity.

What is your process for deciding on people to test your wraps?

Generally, we look for people who are active in the babywearing community, bonus if you are active within the Cari community.

If you had to trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

Hmm.. that’s a tough one.. I’m not sure on that one.

If you had never started Cari Slings, what do you think you’d be doing now?

Probably designing children’s clothing and spending more time cooking. Designing children’s clothing was a passion of mine prior to starting Cari slings.

When you have a designer’s block, where do you go for inspiration?

I have ideas constantly running around my head, so I find that I might not really have that problem…

What’s your six word story?

Meet me at Chipotle in 10.

Which of your creations is your favorite or most personal to you?

My favorite design is our newest upcoming design, Palmae, as it was inspired by my first home.

What inspired you to make the transition from non-specific designs into mostly fandom-geared ones instead?

Being a “geek” is a huge part of my identity and it was time.

Anything you’d like to say to your followers?

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your support and love for our wraps. I love seeing all the pictures and hearing stories how our wraps are helping your family! Thank you!

[kangaroomamas]

Our next company in our Spotlight feature, is Risaroo Wovens. Marisa is the founder of this amazing company. She is a hard working, single mother of a beautiful little boy. Marisa is also a very busy lady! Any time I’ve been able to catch her, she was an absolute joy to talk with. I hope you enjoy getting to know her and what Risaroo Wovens is all about!

-Who was/is your biggest supporter throughout the process?

My mom is my biggest supporter. She has always been behind me cheering me on with full support and it’s so awesome to share this journey with her. Several family members work for Risaroo/Risaroo Wovens and I love being able to share this with them!

-How did you come up with the name for your company? What is the meaning behind it?

As a toddler, when my little brother tried to say my name it came out as Risa. At some point family members added -roo to the end and Risaroo became my nickname as a child. I still have a few aunts and uncles that occasionally refer to me by that name today. I loved the idea of using it as a name for a babywearing business because it reminds me of kangaroos, which also carry their babies. It was a perfect match.

-Where do you get the inspiration for your designs?

Design inspiration tends to jump out at me from the same places, specifically architecture, photography, and fashion. I stumbled upon the most beautiful pair of shoes with an exquisite design that inspired the Perrault design. I also have a special affinity for vintage lace and its intricate design and I love to see a modern twist on any vintage piece. There is something so beautiful about a classic piece of fabric transformed into a modern garment.

-Where do you see yourself and your company in 5 years? What is your ultimate goal?

You will continue to see the introduction of new designs and colors at RW. We are also working diligently on our newest category, the Geek Files. We have so many fans that have expressed an interest in melding together two things they love…fandoms and babywearing. This new collection, at both Risaroo and Risaroo Wovens, will be much more influenced from our online communities. We really love our groups on Facebook and the community that has been created by the awesome moms, dads and caregivers. So, we are going to involve them a lot more in the selection and design process for the Geek Files wraps. We also have a few more things that we are working on, so stay tuned!

-How do your wraps go from idea to tangible design? What’s the design process look like?

When working on a new design, I usually begin by talking with my designer about my idea and the inspiration behind it. We bounce around ideas and then she puts together some sketches based off of our conversations and inspiration. This part of the process can take as little as a few days and has taken as long as several months.

-If you ever got a chance to interview your wrap inspiration, what would you ask?

I’m so interested in learning about what inspires people and where they draw their inspiration. So, learning about their personal design inspiration would be at the top of my list.

-If you didn’t collect wraps, what would you collect?

Purses and shoes! Before I was a mom and a babywearer, purses and shoes filled the shelves that are now occupied by wraps.

-How do you feel your business is bringing innovation to the industry?

We were one of the first wrap companies to offer Tencel wraps and we are proud to offer sustainable/eco-friendly fibers options for our customers. In addition to Tencel, we are adding Eco2Cotton wraps to our line. Eco2 yarns are made using the post-industrial cutting scraps from t-shirt and apparel manufacturing facilities. The scraps are collected, separated by color and washed. The sorted and washed scraps go through a shredding process. The shredded fiber is spun, plied back into yarn and then woven into wraps.

What is your biggest challenge as a business owner?

For me personally, the biggest challenge is balancing my work life with my personal life. Most importantly, I’m a mom. So, in addition to running Risaroo & Risaroo Wovens, I’m a single mom to an active 5 year old that I’m currently homeschooling. Most days, I just need more hours added to my day. 😋

If you had never started Risaroo Wovens, what do you think you’d be doing now?

-My degree is in public relations, so I think that I would be working in a PR/marketing position….preferable in another small, family owned business.

-What’s your six word story?

Determination and faith got her through.

-Which of your creations is your favorite or most personal to you?

It’s so hard to pick a favorite! My favorite always ends up being the design that I’m currently working on. The design that is most personal to me is Kerrington because it reminds me of my grandmother. The inspiration behind Kerrington was the lace doilies that she collected and I love that I automatically think of her each time I see Kerrington.

-What inspired you to start geek inspired wraps/colorways?

We have so many fans that have expressed an interest in melding together two things they love…fandoms and babywearing. I’m a nerd at heart and so the thought of a Geek inspired line of wraps made my heart happy! So, we have created the Geek Files where we will be combining our love for everything nerdy with our love of babywearing. This new collection, at both Risaroo and Risaroo Wovens, will be much more influenced from our online communities. We really love our groups on Facebook and the community that has been created by the awesome moms, dads and caregivers. So, we are going to involve them a lot more in the selection and design process for the Geek Files wraps.

-Anything you’d like to say to your followers?

Thank you! This has been an awesome journey so far and I’ve loved every single second of it! I love dreaming, designing and producing the wraps that you snuggle your precious children in…it’s truly an honor! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your babywearing journey.

[madeleine-ferguson-deactivated2]

Woven crush: banu textiles

[loftycriies]

No stroller, no problems!

[joydisco]

Tuesday after visiting Maiko 😊 Jack passed out on my back on the way home.

He’s very pleased with this truck that Maiko gave him!

[mxthermoon]

He loves babywearing!

[theboysandb]

I’m looking forward to Pavo Presents Chicago this weekend! I hear that Futurism Charcoal (cotton/alpaca) will be there, and I hope I will be able to bring one home. It is soft, supportive, and has incredible alpaca bounce. This will make a terrific shorty or base. I’m hoping it comes in a 7 to see us through a toddler-wearing wonder. See you soon, @pavotextiles!

[brithibodaux-blog]

My whole world wrapped into a beautiful 25lb package. I will keep him close to me for as long as I can. ❤❤❤

[momnoms]

Moving meditation with Violet.

[mommo2k16-blog]

I’ve been doing mommy and me baby-wearing yoga for a little over a week now and while that’s not long I can’t tell yawl how rewarding it has been! At first I definitely thought I’d be the only one benefitting from it because he’s too small to even really know what’s going on and is just enjoying being worn through the movements. I mean most of the time he passes out before I even begin my practice! However, I have noticed that it has improved his sleep schedule and he smiles SO much more now. While this could also simply be a milestone thing I can’t help but think my positive vibes and energy are flowing through him during our sessions together.

I definitely plan on doing a more extensive, all inclusive blog post about our experience of practicing yoga together once I create my own webpage! Hope you guys will follow us along on our journey.

Namaste

[wildlittlewolfchild]

Halloween babywearing 😍

[craftingoutloud]

@pavotextiles Farrand Sterling and Farrand Soir.

[kelseyjoxo-blog]

My son and I wearing our “babies” in our mei tais. He’s never been into dolls but he treats his cars like his kids.

[familyside]

Babywearing Jaśmina