Photo Credit: ABC Television

I am honored to introduce to you Trista Sutter for my next Family Interview. From what I know, she is a wonderful person inside and out: a truly dedicated wife and fantastic mother. She married the love of her life, Ryan, more than 7 years ago and they have a beautiful family.

Briefly tell us about yourself, your family, where you live, and what you do?
Trista: My name is Trista Sutter.  I live near Vail, Colorado with Ryan Sutter, the man I met and married on ABC’s The Bachelorette. We have 2 beautiful kids named Max (3) and Blakesley (1). I call myself a stay-at-home-and-work mom, as I work from home on any projects I have at the time, so that I can personally raise my children.

ON FAMILY:
What do you love the most about your family?
Trista: I love that our family is grateful & loyal, fun-loving and happy.

Do you have any fun family traditions (birthdays, holidays, vacations, etc)?
Trista: My favorite tradition is during Christmas. Ryan’s mother’s favorite book when she was a kindergarten teacher was “Alfie, the Christmas Tree”. Every Christmas, we create our own Alfie by hiking up to a tree in our area and decorating it with homemade peanut butter and birdseed pinecones.

What are your dreams/goals for your family?
Trista: I dream of long lives filled with love, health, and happiness.

One piece of advice to other families/parents/soon-to-be-parents?
Trista: Know that there will be days that are all about laughter and days that tax your patience and happiness.  You are not alone.  Reach out for help when you need it and don’t be ashamed.  Then, when you find yourself in a day of abundant laughter, cherish it (and take good pictures!).

Photo by: Melissa Darst Photography

ON MOTHERHOOD/SELF:
What was your childhood/upbringing like and what effect has it had on your adult life?
Trista: I grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis…Chesterfield, Missouri to be exact.  My parents were extremely supportive of my interests and did everything and anything they could to ensure I had a happy childhood, even though they were not meant to stay married.  Even though I was devastated as a child, I now know that their divorce was for the best and that staying together for my sake would not have been beneficial for everyone.  Going through that, I took my time and did not settle in trying to find Ryan. I wanted to be sure I would not be faced with the decision my parents had to make…even though I know they made the right one.

As a modern mom, what are three things that you couldn’t live without?
Trista: I couldn’t live without my Toyota Sienna minivan, Jack’s Big Music Show on Nick Jr, and my husband.

ON BUSINESS:
When it comes to work and business, what are you involved with and what is your role?
Trista: I am involved with a few different projects right now, but my main focus is on my clothing collection with My Vintage Baby.  They invited me to join their company as a designer this year. I work with the owners of the company to design fun, unique, stylish clothes for both boys and girls, and they take care of the rest.  :)  Please visit www.myvintagebaby.com to find a rep in your area and either order online or book a home party.

Do you support any charities that we could mention?
Trista: We proudly support many charities, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation that receives a portion of the profits from my collection with My Vintage Baby.  This year, though, we have focused much of our attention on trying to raise awareness and money for an organization called First Descents.  They provide free outdoor adventure therapy to young adults, aged 18-39 with cancer.  Ryan has raised nearly $100,000 for them this year through a string of challenges he competed in.  Please go to:  http://101010.firstdescents.org to learn more.

Thank you so much, Trista, for taking the time to share your family insights with us. You and Ryan are excellent examples of true love, commitment in marriage, and devoted parents. I found the very sweet proposal scene and just had to share it!

For more information about Trista, follow her on Twitter or go to www.ryansutter.com.

Let me introduce to you Kasey Buick, stylish mom and one of the funniest bloggers I know. I first came across her blog when Grace from Design Sponge tweeted about Amy Atlas blog who did a feature on an Alice in Wonderland party for Kasey’s daughter. Of course, I checked out her blog and immediately thought we were long lost sisters for our love with all things French, Anthropologie, and fun parties. I just adore her and her lifestyle!

1. Tell us about yourself and what you do?

*Hello there. My name is Kasey and I drink skinny vanilla latte’s….but on the day’s I’m not drinking latte’s..I am a full time mother to three who likes to write…take the occasional photograph and dream of parties. Not necessarily in that order.

2. Where do you live (city/state) and where do you work?

*I live outside of Chicago in a quaint town called St. Charles. I work on whatever is handed to me first thing in the morning..whether it be making peanut butter sandwiches for lunch or writing about my day.

ON FAMILY:

1. Introduce us to your family. What do you love about your family?
*There are five of us in my family….my oldest son Mason will be 10 this year. Lola is my middle girl and she is 8..and last but never least is Fin who’s 5.
I love that my family doesn’t have issues like most. We don’t argue…we rarely yell…we always get along. We are that family.
Okay…that was a total lie. I will admit..we really are normal and that is the one thing I love. My kids get lost in Target….child protective services knows me….and I get turtles for Mothers Day. My family Rocks.
We are normal.
Oh..don’t want to forget the hubs. He’s awesome. He even lets me take his photo on occasion..and I don’t have to pay him.

2. Do you have any fun family traditions? (birthdays, holidays, vacations, etc)
*We really don’t believe in traditions…because really…who wants to do the same thing year after year.
Totally kidding. Every Christmas we drive to the local tree lot and point out which tree we want. We even tie it to the top of the car ourselves. Honest.

3. What is your favorite family meal or a typical family meal?

*Oh boy…you totally opened a can of worms here. You might not know this but..we happen to eat a whole lot of mac n cheese around here….but I will admit…I can and do cook real food on occasion. Not that it’s Fall…I have a crush on my crock pot….and will throw a pork tenderloin with a vat of rasperry chipolte sauce in for an easy but delicious dinner that even the kids will eat.

5. When it comes to clothes, where do you shop for your kids? Favorite boutique store? Favorite online store?

*I admit…I tend to spend the least amount on the boys..and mostly just shop for them at Target or Old Navy. Lola on the other hand..even though she is not a girly girl…I can’t help but LOVE the shop Edens Bouquet {www.edensbouquet.com} and Mathilda Jane {home parties only}.

6. Describe your ideal family vacation.

*We actually spent our ideal family vacation this last summer when we spent three weeks in Hawaii there. It was amazing….. Mason learned to surf and we spent every day lounging and relaxed..

7. What are your dreams/goals for your family?

*I really just want a happy..stable family. I never thought I would love living in the Midwest..but it’s sort of growing on me. I’ll just see what life throws us next.

8. What do you dream about personally?

*I’ve had a pretty amazing life so far….and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

9. Any advice to other families/parents/soon-to-be-parents?

*My only advice would be to have fun. Enjoy life…you only get one chance.

ON MOTHERHOOD/SELF:

1) What was your childhood/upbringing like?
*I grew up right outside LA….but some of you might refer to me as a valley girl;-) I grew up with a working mom who owned a toy shop and a father who spent the majority of his time going undercover for the LAPD.
I have oodles of stories to tell…but I have a feeling this might not be the place to do so.

2. How do you balance motherhood and work?

*Luckily…motherhood always comes first and because I spend so much time blogging about my life….there is perfect balance in the two. I would like to say that it’s five o’clock somewhere.

3. What is your average day like as a mom?
*no comment.
Just kidding. It’s so average because I wake up to a small body normally snuggled in next to me. We are pretty busy…one child has chess club and plays the cello…the other child has girl scouts and tennis.
Running is my middle name.

4. Describe your personal style when it comes to fashion?

*I like to think I have some style….and I have a deep love for stores like Anthroplogie and J. Crew. I have been known to find cute things at T.J. Maxx and I do NOT have a shoe problem..contrary to popular belief.

5. Where do you like to shop for yourself? Favorite boutique store?

*Like I mentioned…Antrhopologie is a fav…as is J.Crew. I find my favorite ruffled knee socks at Target of all places…and I will spend oodles of time perusing the isles of T.J. Maxx.

6. What are three must-have items for the modern mom?

*A glass of wine….a really cute purse…..and a darling pair of ruffled ballet flats.

7. What is next for you and your blog?
*I really don’t have any big next step….so I just keep rolling along and shall something present itself to me..then I’ll go from there. As of right now though…I am pretty content.

Thanks so much Kasey! I look forward to reading more of your soulful and adorable posts on your blog and even after we tried to find a time in Chicago to meet, we will one of these days!!

For more information on Kasey Buick, visit:
http://www.kaseybuick.com

Photo credits and permission: Kasey Buick

Photo by Karen Mordechai: www.karenmordechai.com

I am so excited to introduce to you Amy Atlas, a highly sought after NYC event planner, celebrated among other things, for her signature dessert tables. Many of us have seen her work in countless magazines such as Better Homes and Gardens, InStyle, Real Simple, Martha Stewart Weddings, and blogs such as Design Sponge, Style Me Pretty, Apartment Therapy, decor 8, and more. You are in for a real treat with this interview about her lifestyle and wonderful family!

1. Tell us about yourself and what you do?

I’m an event stylist with a specialty in creating stylized dessert tables.

2. Where do you live (city/state) and where do you work?

NYC

ON FAMILY:

1. Introduce us to your family. What do you love about your family?

What don’t I love?!  My husband is my best friend and rock.  We have two boys and they have their distinct personalities.  Our older son is like my husband and I – very intense and type A.  Our younger son is the comedian in the family and lightens everything up.  It never ceases to amaze us that we actually created them.

2. Do you have any fun family traditions? (birthdays, holidays, vacations, etc)

We have lots of family traditions.  We have a tradition every Sunday called Atlas Cultural Sunday Funday (if I have a party on Sunday, then it becomes Saturday or a weekday Funday).  We pick a different region of the world and visit a restaurant with that region’s food so the kids (and we) can be exposed to different types of food.  We’ve visited Argentinian restaurants in Rego Park, Greek restaurants in Astoria, and Italian restaurants on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx.  It exposes our children to different types of food and teaches them about different cultures in the world. We love that they are developing a good palette at a young age.  Our boys get really excited about it and have a chart to check off all of the places we have been to.

We also try to have Shabbat dinner every Friday night to celebrate our own culture.  Our kids really look forward to Shabbat dinners because they sing songs and they know that it is the start of the weekend.

3. What is your favorite family meal or a typical family meal?

In addition to the meals above, we really enjoy making brunch in our home.  My older son loves to set the table (starting young!) and both kids love filling carafes with juice, setting out granola and fresh muffins.  We usually have tons of options on the table so it is eye candy for them.

5. When it comes to clothes, where do you shop for your kids? Favorite boutique store? Favorite online store?

I love Lester’s on the Upper East Side.  They have a great variety of everyday clothing.  My boys are active and I like them to be comfortable.  Lesters also has lots of rocker style shirts (like the Kingsley brand) which I love. I’m also a Ralph Lauren fan and love his clothing for special occasions.

6. Describe your ideal family vacation.

A place that has a nice balance lots of activities for the kids, culture for the whole family, and a pool/beach for a little r & r (if at all possible!)

7. What are your dreams/goals for your family?

Our biggest hope is that our kids will grow up with a strong sense of values and good ethics.  We just want them to be good kids.  Growing up in Manhattan can be hard on kids and it is easy to live in a vacuum/get caught up with your own sub-culture.  My husband and I made a promise to each other that we’d never get caught up in that.

9. Any advice to other families/parents/soon-to-be-parents?

Enjoy every moment because it goes by fast!  Everyone says it, but I am starting to see it now myself.

ON MOTHERHOOD/SELF:

2. How do you balance motherhood and work?

It is a constant balancing act.  And it is hard.  My best advice to moms who are running a business is to give up on the notion of being perfect at everything.  Unless you have unlimited help, you just can’t do everything.  Once I accepted that, I felt more comfortable with how I balanced work and motherhood.

3. What is your average day like as a mom?

It really depends on the day, but everyday starts with getting the kids ready for school/camp.  My husband is great and helps out in the mornings with drop off while I’m doing my blog post for the day. After school is when I try to “turn off my work hat” so I am completely there for them.  We go for bike rides, have playdates, they put on shows before dinner, we cook dinner together, etc.  After dinner, I snuggle up with both boys in their beds and it is story time until they doze off.  I often doze off with them for a quick power nap and then wake up soon thereafter to spend time with my husband and then resume work.

4. Describe your personal style when it comes to fashion?

There are times I like to dress traditional, yet other times when I like to dress a bit funkier.  It depends on my mood.

5. Where do you like to shop for yourself? Favorite boutique store?

I love Intermix and have been shopping there for years.  I also love DVF, Tory Burch, Nanette Lepore, Calypso St. Barths and Trina Turk.  Those are my faves!

Photo by Gemma Coma: www.gemmacomas.com

Thank you Amy! You continue to inspire me and so many others by being true to yourself, your family values, your fabulous sense of style and stunning creative work. Readers, stay tuned for Amy’s Business Interview tomorrow!

For more information on Amy Atlas, visit:

http://www.amyatlas.com (website)

http://blog.amyatlas.com (Sweet Designs Blog)

ON BUSINESS:

How and when did Paloma’s Nest start?

Paloma’s Nest started in October of 2007, on a whim.

While I was pregnant with my daughter Paloma (now 3 1/2), I had pushed aside my aspirations to sell my art work after many frustrating experiences trying to sell in the wholesale world. I had planned to be a full-time mom, but during the early months with a newborn, I discovered this world of handcraft and online shops and blogs that began to grow and expand…

I thought “if these designers are finding an audience for their work online, maybe I can, too?”

I had a studio full of pieces that needed a home, so I set up shop just for kicks, to see what would happen. I chose a name for the shop “Paloma’s Nest,” out of thin air, and within a week I sold out of everything I had tucked away in the studio. Suddenly my products were being featured on blogs around the world, and I figured it was now or never! I got some fresh clay, dusted off my tools and got back to work, designing and producing the products that are now the heart of the Paloma’s Nest collection. I seized the opportunity and have never looked back.

What is your average day like at Paloma’s Nest?

My mornings are dedicated to working in the studio. It is during these hours that I craft all of our orders by hand- custom pieces and our original designs that we keep in stock ready to ship. I have an amazing studio manager who oversees our ordering and shipping process, and a production manager who keeps us on track in the studio. Together we run a well-oiled machine, serving about 200 clients a week on average.

What is your favorite part about your work?

Creating pieces that I envision will be shared with future generations. I want to make things that people will save, not just for the beauty of the piece, but because of the memory and meaning attached to it. My favorite part of my day is when I am hand stamping custom orders and I have a moment to imagine where this piece will be someday: in the hands of this couples’ grandchildren?

Three things that are must-haves as a business person?

-Employees or partners you can trust, who believe in your brand as much as you do. Bonus points if they are smarter than you.

-Drive and determination to get you through the ups and downs of self-employed life. It is incredibly gratifying to be your own boss, but also the most difficult job you will ever have.

-Lunch. Don’t forget to feed yourself and take care of the machine that is your body.

What/who inspires you? Where do you get your creative vision?

I am inspired by the past; by tradition and history, architecture and culture. I am constantly learning, and refining my aesthetic to make modern handcrafted products with timeless appeal.

What is your best piece of business advice to other creative small business owners?

Create longevity in your business by offering a product or service that transcends trends and fads.

What is next for Paloma’s Nest?

We have plans to dramatically increase our wholesale offerings over the next few years, which would include participating in the major gift and handcraft shows each season. We also hope to debut a line of home furnishings and home accessories, and to expand our current line to include collectible dinnerware.

Do you have any favorite blogs that you’d like to mention?

I may be a bit late to the game on this, but I just recently discovered Babble.com – a great source for modern families, covering topics from kids health to mom’s fashion. A breath of fresh air and a great daily journal of news and information.

Do you support any charities that we could mention?

Paloma’s Nest is a proud supporter of Kiva. We commit a portion of our proceeds  from every sale each month to an entrepreneur who is in need of a loan in order to grow their own business. We love that through Kiva we can help others help themselves and create successful companies in economies throughout the world.

For more information and to see her fabulous work, visit her website http://www.palomasnest.com

and blog, http://www.palomasnest.com/blog. And to see her Family Interview, click here.

Photos are behind the scenes of Paloma’s Nest studio and were submitted by Caroline Colom Vasquez.

Note from Joy: I hope this feature has inspired you tremendously, especially if you’re in the struggle of balancing family and business. I can relate so much on what Caroline is talking about with motherhood and business. I am touched at how humble she is and I applaud her for all her accomplishments. I also absolutely LOVE her art studio! Doesn’t it make you want to spend the day with her and watch behind the scenes? Thank you so much Caroline for taking part in this very inspiring interview!

If you would like to nominate a mom/dad entrepreneur for a similar interview please let us know! Also let Caroline know your thoughts! And please tell us what you think about the interview, ( questions you’d like to see asked, do you like the two topics split up, etc.). We thrive on FEEDBACK!

More inspiring interviews coming soon!

A Family Interview with Caroline Colom Vasquez. This is truly an inspiring interview.

1.  Tell us about yourself and what do you do?

I am owner and designer of Paloma’s Nest, a line of handcrafted modern heirlooms and home furnishings. We are the creator of the original Ring Bearer Bowl™, having conceived of the concept of employing a ceramic piece, instead of the traditional pillow; in the process, we also created a new take on a wedding tradition that swept the bridal industry over the past years.

In addition to our Wedding Collection, Paloma’s Nest also offers ornaments, tabletop products, stationery, and the newest Little Bird Collection, for Baby &Family.

2. Where do you live and where do you work?

We live and work in Austin, TX. Some call it the “Live Music Capital of the World,” and it is known for its vibrant culture and art scene.

ON FAMILY:

1.  Introduce us to your family. What do you love about your family?

I am married to a wonderful, handsome man from Buenos Aires, Argentina. We have a daughter, Paloma, who is 3 1/2. We have a busy, fun, bilingual and bicultural household full of creative energy and love.

2. Do you have any fun family traditions? (birthdays, holidays, vacations, etc)

I grew up in a house steeped with traditions, and my brand Paloma’s Nest is based on my love of those traditions.  For example, our “YOU ARE SPECIAL TODAY” plate is a throwback to my own childhood. The plate makes appearances in our home on birthdays, or other special days of celebration (like yesterday, when Paloma tied her shoes for the first time!).

2.  What is your favorite family meal or a typical family meal?

Pancake breakfasts are big in our house on the weekends. Holidays are based around food, including a yearly paella at Christmastime. We also make traditional Argentine dishes  such as empanadas and steak milanese throughout the year. My husband built a traditional Argentine parilla (grill) in our backyard for asados.

4. What is your family’s favorite place to eat out?

We are so fortunate in Austin to have one of the highest number of restaurants per capita in the country. And, Austin is hometown to the Wholefoods empire. We are a city full of “foodies.” It is impossible to name just one favorite place to eat out- it is certainly part of the lifestyle here. We do have several favorite local family-run taquerias that serve both traditional Mexican food and/or TexMex. We also love Enoteca, a cozy authentic Italian bistro, and The East Side Cafe, where they harvest their own vegetables from the garden behind the restaurant. On a rare date-night, we head downtown to sample some of the trendier bars and tapas places, or to the Highball- a 1950’s style cocktail lounge with a bowling alley in the middle.

5.  When it comes to clothes, where do you shop for Paloma? Favorite boutique store? Favorite online store?

My favorite brands for Paloma include Tea Collection, Room Seven, and Matilda Jane…but I make a game out of finding them all on Ebay, so I don’t break the bank! I also thrift-shop and seek out handmade pieces for her, both online and at craft shows- one of my favorites is Little Citizen Clothing http://www.littlecitizenclothing.com.

6.  Describe your ideal family vacation.

The ocean. A cool breeze. A great view. Sleeping in.

7.  What are your dreams/goals for your family?

My goal for my family is to find balance and to continue to find joy in what we do. Being an “entrepreneurial family” (together we are running two businesses), sometimes it is easy to feel like all we do is work. I hope someday we can learn to incorporate much of our business into our lifestyle in a way that is fun and productive for everyone in our family.

8. Any advice to other families/parents/soon-to-be-parents?

Soon after Paloma was born, I started my business. I didn’t plan it that way, but destiny happens and opportunity knocks when you least expect it.

I thought for sure that I would need to hire childcare help, and I tried it for a few months. It was only in retrospect that I decided instead to delegate office work by hiring a studio manager for my company.  Instead of hiring someone to be with my child, I found someone to help me grow my company, thus leaving me with time to be a mom.  This was a huge realization for me and one of the best decisions I ever made.

ON MOTHERHOOD/SELF:

1.  What was your childhood/upbringing like?

I grew up in the small historic New England town of Mystic, Connecticut.  I learned to appreciate antique treasures early in life. I grew up in a house that had been built in 1863, full of art and history. Education was a priority in my family; my grandparents are shining examples of hard work and dedication. My hometown taught me that items holding special meanings and stories are meant to be cherished so that they can be shared with future generations – a philosophy that I carry on today at Paloma’s Nest.

2.  How do you balance motherhood and work? / What is your average day like as a mom?

I try to keep a strict schedule on weekdays, working in the studio in the mornings while Paloma is at pre-school, and then dedicate a few hours to emails/office work in the afternoon or late evening.

Like most moms, I feel like I am in constant motion, always with 14 different things happening in my head at one time. Always juggling to write a business deal, wipe a tear, serve a meal, or prepare for whatever is next! But I am living my dream as a designer, and also as a mother- so I wouldn’t have it any other way.

4.  Describe your personal style when it comes to fashion?

I find that my personal style evolves over time as I study different periods of art history and design as it relates to my own work for my product lines. I pick up little ideas and inspiration from each decade I study and translate it into my modern closet and current look. My daily uniform may consist of an easy slip-on dress in a great pattern,  a pair of boots or ballerina flats, a favorite pair of “statement “earrings, and a hand crafted leather bag.

5.  Where do you like to shop for yourself? Favorite boutique store?

I do a lot of thrift store shopping (I find it relaxing- the thrill of the hunt!)

When I see something that works for me/ my body type/ my lifestyle, I buy it, as I don’t give myself much free time for shopping excursions just for me. I’m not one to buy a whole outfit from one place- I’m more of a gatherer. TJ Maxx has always been good to me for filling in the empty spots in my closet.

6.  What are the three must-have items for the modern mom?

An iPhone, some great shoes, and a day off.

7.  List three things you love

-Sparkling water. Currently La Croix with lime or grapefruit.

-Figure painting from a live model.

-Motown.

Don’t you just love her?! Stay tuned for Part II where she’ll discuss her business, tomorrow.

Photos provided by: Caroline Colom Vasquez