Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Houston?
Piya: I am originally from New York. I was born in New York City and then bounced around the suburbs during childhood. I went to College in Atlanta (at Emory) and ended up back in New York for dental school. I ended up marrying a Texan which is what brought me to Houston almost 8 years ago.
Child(ren) and Age(s)
I have two little girls, Cyrah (5) who will be starting Kindergarten this fall at West U Elementary, and Ayana (2) who will attend West U Methodist for preschool.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I love to cook! I try to replicate restaurant recipes at home and make them healthier. I actually applied to culinary school when I applied to dental school. I ended up deciding to go the dental route, but ran a catering business out of my apartment during dental school to help pay rent.
.Favorite local things to do in Houston?
One of my favorite parts of living in Houston are the sporting events. I love how close we are to all the major arenas. We are big Rockets and Texans fans!
Do you have a favorite family friendly restaurant in the area?
Although not super close, we are big fans of Cottonwood! It is a really fun and relaxed place to go with the family. They usually have live music on the weekends (my kids and I love to dance). There is lots of space for the kids to run around as well. My favorite thing on the menu is the fish tacos!
What is your go-to activity for yourself for pampering or for fun?
I am a work out junkie so when I have free time I usually am checking out a new work out studio. I have been doing yoga at BIG yoga for many years, but recently got into pilates. My new favorite spot is Boost Pilates.
Funniest shortcut/routine for helping you through parenthood?
Letting your kids eat in the shopping cart at the grocery store! Not exactly the ideal place to have a meal of a snack but it keeps them busy while I shop!
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
Yes! I am the owner of West U Pediatric Dentistry. I opened about 8 months ago and love it! My style of practice combines both the expertise of pediatric dentistry with the nurturing care of a mother. My goal is to provide the care that I would want for my two girls. Check out our website www.westupediatricdentistry.com
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now? (this means the Houston neighborhood community).
This community has made Houston home for me and my family. I left all my family and friends to move to Houston with my husband. I can honestly say it has been a wonderful experience making new friends here and building memories with my family. The community is very welcoming and I have met so many other parents at the neighborhood parks and activities. I really see myself growing old here!
What is the best advice for juggling mommyhood and running a business (or volunteering, working, etc)?
Planning is key! Every Sunday, my husband and I have a weekly meeting. We go over our schedules, the kids schedules and meal plan for the week. This eliminates last minute scrambling during the week and allows us to enjoy our down time with the kids. I highly recommend trying it out!
What would you tell the old “You” before you had kids?
Sleep more! I have early risers in my house and although I am generally a morning person, I miss my sleep!