I have started a new series called M.O.M, Mompreneur Of the Month. I know a bunch of people/bloggers/entrepreneurs/moms who are doing great jobs and I completely admire their effort of balancing work and family life. I love these ladies so much that I have decided to introduce them to you. So every month, I will be asking one of my mompreneur friends to write a special post for The Mommy Blog. That way you can take a look into their life, and may be find a new friend of your own.
Today, I’d like to introduce you Chinmayie Bhat from Love Food Eat. I found Chinmayie through Facebook. She is a mompreneur to an amazing Indian venture named ‘Soul’ which specializes in making beautiful and functional ring slings for baby-wearing. Not just that she was so humble to send me over one of her ring slings so I could use and review it here on The Mommy Blog.
Meet my mompreneur friend Chinamyie:
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am Chinmayie from Bangalore, India. I am a former graphic designer, a mother of two and a food blogger/food photographer. I have been blogging at www.lovefoodeat.com for over 4 years now. I am passionate about healthy eating, sustainability and ecofriendly living. I started Soul Slings only after having my Son 8 months ago which officially makes me mompreneur.
What is your business, Soul, all about?
‘Soul’ – high quality, luxurious and beautiful ring slings which you will be proud to flaunt as your best parenting accessory!
Soul ring slings combine fashion with functionality and lets you conveniently work, browse through a mall, go for a walk and nurse or put your baby to sleep at the same time.
Soul slings are designed and made in India, keeping Indian parents in mind and hence makes it the perfect baby carrier for all Indians.
What/who convinced you to become a mompreneur?
It all started 5 years ago when my daughter was born. She was a high needs baby who wanted to be carried constantly. I bought a ‘baby carrier’ by a well-known international brand and It just never worked for us. I looked up the Internet and read articles on baby wearing and realized that a Ring sling was the ideal choice considering my lifestyle and Indian weather. Unfortunately they were not available in India at all.
After 4 years when I found out I was expecting again I knew that I wanted to babywear extensively. I researched about all the different kinds of baby carriers and decided to buy myself a ring sling from the US, as it wasn’t locally available.
The first time I wore my son was when he was barely a few days old and I fell in love with my sling instantly. I couldn’t imagine my life without my ring sling. I never stepped out of the house without it. I felt that every parent should have a ring sling.
That’s when I decided to start ‘Soul’. I knew I could make a difference in every parent’s life with ‘Soul’. It was time India had a Ring Sling brand, which has locally made, well constructed and elegant.
What is the biggest challenge you face being a mom and an entrepreneur?
I think the combination of being a mom and an entrepreneur is not an easy one. There are challenges in every step. Both are very very demanding jobs and funnily we need to work 24/7 for both! The balancing act takes a lot of planning, determination, patience and will power. Time management is the biggest challenge for sure.
You work, run a business, have a life, have kids…that’s a lot. How do you manage everything without losing your mind?
I work out of home and my children are with me all day long so even with a lot of help, I need to attend to them through the day. When one of my kids need me, my work has to wait but that’s not something I can tell my costumers. I couldn’t have done this without my mom, my husband, my house helps and cook. It’s because of them that I am able to even run Soul. But in spite of all this I lose my mind often!! It’s not easy to do it all.
If/when you do lose your mind, what do you do to relieve the stress?
Fortunately I love what I do so I rarely need stress busters! I love cooking, baking, photography and blogging. When I need a break from my work, I do exactly that. I also enjoy reading and learning new things about food, sustainability, education, and parenting.
Tell us a little about your better half and kids.
My husband, Ravindra, and I know each other for over a decade now. Professionally he is a designer but he is also the person who is helping me with everything that Soul requires. We have similar interests, ideology and aspirations in life, which keeps us happy together. I have 2 kids. My daughter, Alaru, is 5 years old and is being homeschooled. My son Aadhya is 8 months. My kids have changed me as a person forever and I am sure I couldn’t have been this productive if not for them. They keep me happy, full of love and hope.
Your favourite on-the-go recipe for kids?
I am a passionate cook so I am always cooking stuff for my daughter. My son doesn’t eat much yet but I am sure he will grow up to be a foodie like the rest of the family.
Something you want your readers to know about you?
I LOVE coffee and chocolates.
What is the one piece of advice that you would give aspiring mompreneurs?
Do what you love. It’s important to feel satisfied and content after a long day of being a mother and an entrepreneur.
Your current favourite beauty product?
I don’t use any!
The most common colour in your closet?
Black
Finish the sentence: Happiness to me is….Life.
Thank you Chinmayie. Alright people go check her out at Love Food Eat and her versatile collection of Soul Ring slings.
Cheers!
Sasha says
I really enjoyed reading this and learning all about this amazing momma!! Going to go check out her blog now! 🙂
Haajra says
Thanks Sasha. I’m happy you liked it!