Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Houston?
I am originally from Los Angeles. I lived there until I was about 20 and then moved to San Francisco. I moved to NYC when I was 30. I came to Houston in 2015 and was delighted by what a sophisticated and diverse city it is! I never would have imagined I would end up in Texas and now you couldn’t pay me to leave.
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
Mattias is 7 and Emilio is 4.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I tried my hand at acting as a kid and was on one episode of Dallas. Please don’t google it, haha. 😛
Favorite local activities to do in Houston?
We love exploring museums, parks, green spaces. Also with the quarantine, we have been going on little day trips to destinations like Navasota.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
I started West U Moms three years ago and I have been obsessed with it ever since. When I moved to Houston my oldest son was only 2.5 and I became pregnant with my second son shortly after we moved. I was already creating lists of schools and activities when I was approached by a friend who had started her site in Greenwich, CT. She asked me if I wanted to be a part of the team and if I wanted to create a similar site in Houston; I jumped at the opportunity! The quarantine has slowed me down a little because I am now home all day with my kiddos but sometimes I would stay up at night with excitement brainstorming all the resources and ideas I could bring to moms and families in Houston.
I also recently co-founded Coffee Talk Moms with another Houston mom to talk about important topics facing our community and interview local thought leaders.
How has the Houston community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
I don’t think I would have the confidence to start a community-based platform in a different city because Houston is so welcoming and helpful. I have lived in other cities where it felt like cut-throat competition for jobs and positions. Ever one here wants the other to thrive and it really feels like a solid community.
What is the best advice for juggling mommyhood and running a business (or volunteering, working, etc)?
Patience and asking for help. I have always been an independent person and asking for help or even delegating help is something I need to work on.
What would you tell the old “You” before you had kids?
All of the crazy phases of infancy and sleepless nights are temporary.. enjoy them and embrace that time.