Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Houston?
I was born in Michigan but raised all over, we moved often growing up due to my dad’s job. While I’ve called many places home, New Orleans is where I spent most of my years and where so much of my heart still lives. In July 2019, my son and I started a new chapter in Houston, and it’s here that we’ve planted roots, grown community, and built something special together.
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
I have one son named Parker. He is 7 years old.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I was a competitive gymnast for 12 years and because we lived in England during my middle school years, I had the pleasure of competing there as well.
Favorite local activities to do in Houston?
I absolutely love exploring Houston — especially the food scene. Dining out is one of my favorite things to do here. There are so many amazing restaurants (with new ones opening all the time), and my son and I are always up for trying something new. He has a super sophisticated palate — his favorite food is sushi! We’re also huge fans of the Houston Zoo. No matter how many times we go, it never gets old — we always seem to discover something new. It’s one of our favorite ways to spend a weekend.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
I’m the co-founder of ParkerJoe, a boutique for boys sizes 0–16 — and I’m lucky enough to run it alongside my mom, who’s also my business partner. ParkerJoe was born out of pure frustration. When shopping for my son, I was constantly disappointed by the lack of options and quality available for boys — especially compared to what was out there for girls. The styles were boring, the quality wasn’t great, and we always felt like we were settling. So, we decided to change that.
At ParkerJoe, we specialize in everything a boy could ever need — from everyday essentials like underwear and pajamas to schoolwear, streetwear, and even formalwear. Whether you’re shopping for your little guy or your growing tween, we’ve curated pieces that are both stylish and practical, with quality that lasts. Our flagship store is located in the heart of the Rice Village Shopping District in Houston, and we’re thrilled to share that we’ve just opened our second location at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Expanding to Vegas has been an exciting new chapter for us.
I’m a member of the Junior League of Houston, and I really love being part of a group that’s so focused on giving back. It’s been such a great way to connect with other women in the city and get involved in causes that truly matter — especially anything supporting families and kids. Giving back has always been important to me, and the League has given me so many opportunities to do that in a hands-on, meaningful way.
How has the Houston community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
This is an emotional one for me — because if I hadn’t come to Houston, I truly don’t believe I’d be where I am today.
Houston has been such an amazing community for me. It welcomed me when I needed it most, supported me when I was starting over, and surrounded me with people who genuinely cared. When my son Parker was just 15 months old, we moved here together — just the two of us. A family friend generously let us stay in a house she owned, right across the street from her daughter, who also happened to be my oldest childhood friend. From day one, we had support around us, and that meant everything.
I got a bartending job at The Annie Café & Bar, where I started to build real connections. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned about Houston, it’s this: the people here are warm, loyal, and incredibly relationship-driven. I felt embraced — not just for what I did, but for who I was. Over time, I worked at a few other restaurants, and Parker and I eventually joined a local country club. That’s where I met some of my closest friends — friends who have walked alongside me
through every step of building ParkerJoe. Their encouragement and belief in us helped turn a big idea into a real business.
Later, I joined the Junior League of Houston, which opened even more doors. We did pop-up shops with them, and the response — especially from fellow “boy moms” — was incredible. Their enthusiasm and support gave us even more confidence in what we were building.
Today, with our flagship store in Rice Village, I still feel that same energy from the Houston community. From parents to grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, and friends — people show up, and it means the world to me. Houston didn’t just give me a place to live — it gave me a place to grow, to rebuild, and to create something I’m truly proud of.
What is the best advice for juggling mommyhood and running a business (or volunteering,
working, etc)?
The biggest piece of advice I can give is: don’t be afraid to accept help when it’s offered. As moms and business owners, we often feel like we have to do it all ourselves—pack the lunches, send the emails, fold the laundry, meet with clients. But the truth is, trying to carry everything alone only leads to burnout.
Help can look different depending on your season of life: maybe it’s a family member offering to babysit so you can get through your inbox, a friend bringing over dinner, or even outsourcing small parts of your business when you’re able. Saying “yes” to that help doesn’t make you less of a mom or less of an entrepreneur—it makes you stronger in both roles.
And just as important: find time for yourself. It doesn’t have to be big—sometimes it’s a quiet cup of coffee before the house wakes up, a short walk, or an hour to read something just for you. You can’t pour into your family or your business from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself ensures you have the energy and presence to give to the people and passions that matter most.
At the end of the day, your kids don’t need you to be perfect, and your business doesn’t either. They both need you to be present—and that’s only possible when you give yourself permission to lean on others and to care for yourself.
What would you tell the old “You” before you had kids?
If I could tell old me one thing before kids: sleep. Sleep like it’s your side hustle. Because one day, uninterrupted sleep will feel like winning the lottery.
Funniest shortcut/routine for helping you through parenthood?
What I think is my funniest parenting shortcut is turning everything into a race. Getting ready in the morning isn’t chaos—it’s the Olympics. Which one of us can get dressed the fastest? Which one of us can finish breakfast the fastest? Which one of us can get shoes on the fastest? Suddenly, what used to be a 30-minute negotiation is a 5-minute sprint with a lot of laughter. This is entertaining and has cut time off of the house.
