Today we’d like to introduce you to Marichelle Oliva.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am married to my high school sweetheart and I am a mommy to Matthew (8), Madison (3) and Michael (8 months). I work full time and I am also a full-time MBA student at Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business. Mommy Cares would not exist without my beautiful children and my loving husband. He inspired and encouraged me to follow my passion and create Mommy Cares. My family helped my dreams come true.
I have an active lifestyle and I often struggled with finding affordable and trendy clothes that makes it easy to breastfeed. I purchased expensive nursing clothing that fell apart and did not fit well. I want to encourage and empower mommies to breastfeed anytime, anywhere. I have become a breastfeeding advocate and a part of breastfeeding organizations.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I definitely experienced struggles along the way. In fact, being a mother of 3 is never a dull moment. I did not think it was possible to do anything while working and going to school full time. My parents, uncle and sisters helped me by watching my children while I worked or go to school. I never in a million years thought I can run my own business. I was overwhelmed with my three kids. I had my first son in 2009. I breastfed him for the first time in public. I was a first-time mom so I felt ashamed.
After breastfeeding my daughter five years later, people continued to make me feel uncomfortable breastfeeding in public. My third child was born 2017 and I still stumble across people giving me looks to cover up. Except for this time, I no longer feel ashamed or worry what other people think. I want to normalize breastfeeding. My husband continues to remind me that breastfeeding is beautiful and it is one of the best things I’ve done for our children.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I utilized eight years of being a mommy, with four years of active and current breastfeeding experience to put together everyday nursing clothes, comfortable undergarments and other nursing products to encourage and empower mommies to breastfeed. My goal is to make it easy for mommies to gather the essentials needed before and after the baby is born. From nursing tops to nursing covers, I want to make sure mommies don’t feel afraid or uncomfortable to breastfeed in public.
The great thing about Mommy Cares is the love and support behind the name. I recently decided to open a kiosk at Ontario Mills Shopping Center to promote Mommy Cares. The reaction I received from management was very encouraging. When I was told Mommy Cares is a great and unique product that would produce tremendous results, I knew all my hard work will pay off. There are not many stores who offer nursing clothes.
What were you like growing up?
I am the youngest of three girls. I was very shy. My parents are very strict so I rarely went to parties or school dances. I was afraid to do anything because of the thought of failing. I did not grow up learning how to take a risks. My parents tried to keep me safe at all times, emotionally and physically.
As an adult, I became afraid to take chances. I was afraid of the world. This led me to drop out of college and work 2-3 jobs before I had children. I had no identity and I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. My husband was always a risk taker. He taught me to take a risk of everything I do. I took a risk going back to school with two children while my husband worked overseas.
I graduated from Azusa Pacific University and took a big risk by applying at Pepperdine University when I was 20 weeks pregnant. I was accepted into the MBA program and attended my first 3-day residency workshop when I was 35 weeks pregnant. It was my first time away from my children. I was so thankful I had my family there to help keep my household under control.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mommycares.org
- Phone: 6265322932
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymommycares/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mymomcares/
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