Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Houston?
I was born in Ukraine and moved to Houston when I was nine.
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
I have a son, Ayden is nine. Wow, almost a decade of being a mom.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
that I am super silly, I act like a kid at playgrounds – Ayden loves it!
Favorite local activities to do in Houston?
I am into the outdoors and museums, so the Buffalo Bayou Park, MFA and the Menil Park.
Do you have a favorite family-friendly restaurant in the area?
Does the Whole Foods buffet count? We love that place.
What local places do you go to for pampering and/or mom’s night out?
My mommy time is going to yoga – I always leave feeling like I got a full body and soul massage.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of becoming an inventor, I loved creating solutions to the problems I faced. So when I became a mom and had to deal with applying messy diaper cream, while trying to keep Ayden from rolling off the diaper
changing table – I seriously needed a solution. I went on Amazon to find a one hand diaper cream applicator – and there was nothing! So… I decided to invent one myself – I named it SwipenSnap because you can swipe the cream on in a snap! I am super excited to say that it is now available on Amazon Prime amzn.to/2P7btAm and our website https://www.swipensnap.com/
How has the Houston community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
It started with a google search that lead me to the Houston Inventors Association which lead me to TXRX labs, where I came in literally like “I am an inventor and looking for an engineer to bring my ideas to life”. I met an awesome engineer that day, who is now a close friend. Then I entered a Pitch Presentation at Station Houston where I not only won first place but gained a mentor and investor that helped me launch SwipenSnap! Houston is filled with innovators.
What is the best advice for juggling mommyhood and running a business (or volunteering, working, etc)?
1. Don’t take on more than you can handle.
2. It is okay to say no – my son taught me that one because he is so good at it!
3. Asking for help is a form of strength, not weakness.
4. And after a long day make time for yourself to decompress – for me it is a simple 10-30 min after my shower where I relax.
What would you tell the old “You” before you had kids?
Go give your mom a hug!
Funniest shortcut/routine for helping you through parenthood?
Leggings, dry shampoo and uber eats!
