A little about the mission statement from the thoughtful women behind the retreat, our good friends Paige and Kelly of BP Events, along with the ladies behind Hey Mama and Modern Nomad:

“Being a Great Jane is an all encompassing idea for the modern mother. It’s a big movement internally and externally. It fosters intentional parenting, satisfying careers, self-care concerns, and connection with other women facing the bold questions of life balance. As entrepreneurs who are also moms, we wrestle with these important ambitions on a daily basis. We created The Great Jane retreat as a place for all mothers seeking mentorship and space to rejuvenate and prepare for their next act in holistic identity. We have built a thoughtful team of advisors to guide us through a weekend of energizing thought, movement, and relaxation.”

It’s going to be an amazing weekend full of really interesting and inspiring workshops, discussions, good food, lots of wine, great company, and a beautiful location. You can see all of the talented women who are coming together to host workshops and discussions here.

If you’d like to come, it would be so amazing to see you there!

To purchase tickets and receive 20% OFF, use the code TGJ_Speaker when you check out. Click here to reserve your spot.

Have a lovely weekend!

The post The Great Jane: A modern mother’s retreat in Ojai appeared first on 100 Layer Cakelet.

Karina is a painter and also the creative force behind Cluster Art, a neat art and decor concept that allows you to personalize art for your home. She has both a studio and office at home, which mixes her professional life so beautifully with her home life, as you can see from the photos here.

Business name:

I am currently the lucky owner of two businesses. I am an artist and I just launched a new personalized art shop called Cluster Art.

Date/year started:

I have been painting on and off since childhood and it’s been about nine years that I’ve been a working artist. Although the Cluster Art website just launched, years of work behind the scenes have gone into conceptualizing, designing, and building the site.

Where do you work? 

I have an art studio and an office in my home. Working from home has been the best way for me to balance work and motherhood. I consider myself both a working mom and a stay-at-home mom, since I operate in both worlds everyday. So much of creative life is thinking, imagining and planning, before the actual production begins. Working from home allows me to step in and out of the studio in free moments, when the girls are playing well together, and in the evenings.

What was the inspiration or impetus to start your business?

Selling artwork came about naturally. Many years ago when my friends started having babies, I painted pieces for their nurseries, which evolved into a line of artwork for children’s rooms. Soon, I was selling my work in boutiques and licensed out some of my images. After having children of my own, I felt a surge of creativity, which is something I hear from many mothers. I came up with the idea for Cluster Art and began painting and selling original work, doing shows, and building my business over time.

How does your business inspire your family, or your family inspire your business?

 Family life is constant source of inspiration. After the birth of my daughter, I wanted to find a way to display some of our favorite family photos. As an art lover, my walls are covered in paintings and wall space is not something that I easily give up. I came up with an idea for combining artwork and personal photographs in a new, modern way. From that Cluster Art was born. The girls continue to inspire my artwork in so many ways. The repetitive addition signs, numbers and letters from schoolwork, animal figurines, childhood scribbling, colors and shapes all find their way into my paintings. The way children approach things, their fearlessness and freedom feed my own creativity daily.

[Spotted that piece above for sale in Karina's shop! Someone should jump on it.]

How has it changed or evolved as your children have grown?

My girls are now 4 & 6. As they have grown and become more independent, I have naturally focused more on work and they are more interested and curious about what I do. They see me stretching canvases, go through the process of painting, and then watch as I sell the pieces. They help a lot, come to my shows and see people buying art. For kids, making money by selling artwork is something they can totally relate to. Almost like a lemonade stand, the girls set up their own art stands and collect art from their friends for shows. We have many playdates in the studio and I’m in the classrooms doing art projects frequently. The girl’s artwork is proudly displayed among our collection and my oldest daughter has painted a few of the large canvases that hang in our home.

Do you find it challenging or refreshing to work for yourself, as a mom? And are there particular places or people that you rely on for support as a creative business owner and a mom?

I love working for myself and I also really enjoy working alone. I am most creative when I have quiet blocks of time to think and hear the inspiration that’s beneath the bustle. When I am alone in the studio I am connecting with myself, not me in the role of mother, wife, co-worker, but just my creative self, which feels essential. I have an incredible network of creative women and mothers in my life that I meet up with frequently. Over coffee, meetings, or walking museums we discuss our latest pursuits, goals, and parenting highs and lows. I think if you work alone, having people that you share your goals with helps you stay accountable and on track.

How do you figure out the balance of time with your children and time to work?

Creativity doesn’t always fall into schedule but raising children requires one. Everyday I strive to get things done but keep the balance of being present to hang out, talk and play with the girls. My husband and I rely heavily on Google Calendar to keep our schedules in balance and I live by to-do lists so nothing gets forgotten and I know what I’m working towards.

My oldest daughter is in first grade and my little one is in preschool three days a week and at home with me the other two. Each week I have three days to devote to working while the girls are in school. I try and use that time only for work. I generally do laundry, grocery shopping, running errands, etc., on the days that my little one is with me or in the afternoons or on weekends. My husband is incredibly involved and I also have help from my mom, who has been ever present in our lives since the girls were born. We are also lucky to have close family friends with two girls in the same schools, so we share a lot of the daily logistics. My afternoons are filled with carpools and after-school activities. My oldest daughter is in a Mandarin/Spanish immersion school, which means quite a bit of my time is dedicated to helping with homework. Most nights I after the kids go to bed, I continue to work. If I have a deadline or a project I am working on, I will often function on very little sleep, playing catch up when things calm down. 

I believe that we can do anything we want, but certainly not everything all at once. A fulfilling family life and career is best built upon balance. I remind myself that life is not a race and that everything evolves when it’s ready. With my children, I clearly see how growth comes over time. I try and give that same patience and understanding to myself too. Slow down, savor, and appreciate. 

So incredibly lovely, thoughtful, and inspiring. Thank you for sharing your talents and your family with us, Karina!

All photos by Jamie Street.

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That’s Tait, Stacy, and Karen. Don’t they look like they love their job? Their offices aren’t bad either.

Business name: CRAFTING COMMUNITY

Date/year started: 2009

Where do you work? 

I ended up moving to Atwater Crossing with a couple of my artist friends because we had all lost our leases in the Seeley Building, and when I moved in it was still very raw. My studio was in a dye house and all of the other studios that now form the complex hadn’t been built out yet. I completely fell in love with the place and I’ve been here ever since – the community in Atwater just gets richer every year. Being part of an art community and watching it grow is super satisfying because it makes me believe in the worth of taking chances and building something from the ground up. It also doesn’t hurt to work around the corner from Proof Bakery!

-Karen Kimmel

What was the inspiration or impetus to start your business?

Crafting Community was established as a unique way to spend quality time with family and friends while cultivating the creative spirit through art, curated design, fitness and plain old fun. As three very liked-minded mothers and entrepreneurs, we strongly believe that creativity is an essential tool for life. Crafting Community is the vehicle to actualize immersive design experiences where families can play, grow and be together. Whether manifesting as a family weekend getaway, a one-day event, a campaign for a partner brand, or social media initiative, Crafting Community is driven by an enduring commitment to design, community and partnership.

-Tait Chatmon

How does your business inspire your family, or your family inspire your business?

So much of what we do in business is based on the life skills we’ve acquired as moms. From the brands we partner with to the type of programming we offer at our family events. Our priority is to create experiences that enrich family life as a whole. It is important for us to work with companies that adhere to sustainable and ethical business practices as well as support products that we as moms use in our daily life. We feel that if you can run a household you have the tools to run a successful business.

-Tait Chatmon

How has it changed or evolved as your child/ren have grown? (I know each lady has children of different ages, but it would be interesting to hear from all of them since they’re all in different positions and every family is different.)

Absolutely. For me personally, my own son’s interests have definitely influenced certain aspects of the activities we create on-site. Each year, as he grows, I have watched his interest grow in the more advanced programming. It’s so wonderful to see him fall in love with something new and watch his creativity expand right before my eyes. Because the three of us have children in various age groups, we’ve got quite a unique perspective when it comes time to concept our programs. It’s so important to us that all of the attendees, young and old, are engaged throughout our weekend retreats and bonding with the people they love most.

-Tait Chatmon

For me the family highlights have been watching Jersey go from a learner to a teacher now helping other parents and kids make things. For Ace, he is one of the reasons we developed the recreational component of the weekend, he doesn’t really hit the craft tables, but he sure does work the obstacle courses, skate lessons, and pool.

-Karen Kimmel

One of the things that I am most proud of is that I get to bring my family to work!  Our first Crafting Community Stella (my oldest) was just 6 months old (now 4). Every event she literally has a different experience because she becomes more and more engaged in the programming.  She also makes REAL connections with other kids (so cute) that she now looks forward to seeing.  In fact our CC family booklet is often her favorite bedtime story to go through all the family pictures!

-Stacy Bernstein

You three are partners and also moms. That must be nice! How do you support each other as business partners, friends, and fellow moms?

Before anything, we’re friends. Our families play together and our children have grown up together. This creates a unique foundation and a level of understanding that is not often found in a traditional business partnership. Also as fellow moms, there is a definite connection that helps us to support each other during the everyday challenges that arise in running a successful business and family.

-Tait Chatmon

How do you figure out the balance of time with your child/ren and time to work?

How much time do you have? This is a question we continually grapple with! The balance of family and business is an ongoing challenge for any working parent. Some of the success of balancing the two comes with experience, and some just comes down to feeling comfortable with knowing what to let go. The three of us are perfectionists and to say we’re obsessed with the details is an understatement. That being said, we are lucky to have each other as confidants and sounding boards when we are feeling pulled in every direction. Our common thread as parents allows us to truly relate to one another when we face the ever existing work-life challenge. Bottom line, we always remember that we can have everything, but maybe not all at once.

-Tait Chatmon

Aww, look at that crew. These ladies and their adorable brood will be at The Ace Hotel with the rest of us to celebrate family, creativity, and fun. Want to join? You totally should! We’d love to meet some of you too. And there are still a few rooms available so if you’re thinking about it, you should book yours now!

Thanks so much for sharing with us, Stacy, Karen, and Tait! We can’t wait to see what you’ve planned for all of us.

The post Inspiring Moms: Karen Kimmel, Stacy Bernstein, and Tait Chatmon of Crafting Community appeared first on 100 Layer Cakelet.

Her story is so sweet and so thoughtful and so earnest that it *might* even make you tear up a bit. Love how she’s managed to blend her life as a mother and her relationship with her children into such a beautiful business. And what a magical and different childhood her kiddos have had.

Let’s hear why she’s such a creative and inspiring mom…

Business name: Floret

Date/year started:
I started growing flowers in earnest about 6 years ago but dabbled for a few seasons before that in my home garden.

Where do you work?
My farm is located about an hour north of Seattle, WA. We are nestled in the most incredible little valley, known for its mild climate and superior soils.

What was the inspiration or impetus to start your business?
A few things came into play that helped me realize I was meant to grow and share flowers with the world. First, my great grandmother who nicknamed me her “little flower girl” when I was small passed away. In her memory I planted a tunnel of sweet peas because she always grew them up her patio posts. They were the first blooms that I sold and it was in sharing them that I saw what a profound impact flowers, fragrance and nostalgia can have on a person. The recipient of the bouquet started crying as I handed it to her, remembering her own grandmother and happy childhood summers. In that moment I knew that flowers were my calling!

So, out went the vegetable patch, in went rows of flowers and here we are today!

How does you business inspire your family, or your family inspire your business?
My life revolves around two things, family and flowers. The kids have grown up in the garden and the garden has grown up around the kids. We all spend a great deal of time together harvesting, packing and delivering our blooms. Even though running a bustling business is quite intense, I am so very lucky that I’m able to have my kiddos at work with me everyday!

How has it changed or evolved as your children have grown?
In the beginning I wanted very much to focus on the design end of flowers but with the kids being small, taking meetings, being gone at weddings and the high stress level involved with event work didn’t create the lifestyle we were after. So instead I channeled my passion for flowers into the growing end of things, where I could be home nearly all of the time and the kids could come and go from the garden as they pleased. As they get older I am moving back in the direction of my true love, design!

How do you figure out the balance of time with your children and time to work?
I knew before I had children that I wanted to be home with them as they grew. I spent quite a few years trying everything under the sun to create a business that I could do at home. In the early years when they were smaller, I had sweet young college girls come 2-3 days a week during the season to help entertain them while I hustled and made deliveries. My Mom has also been very, very present in our lives from the start! Once “flower season” hits in the spring, she takes the kids each weekend so I can do weddings and get caught up on the flower madness. She also swoops in when I’m melting down and does the mountain of laundry in my basement, shops for groceries, takes the kids to lessons, mops the kitchen floor and anything else that has fallen through the cracks. Without her fierce and loving support we would all be surely lost!

I am asked all of the time, how on earth we manage all that we do and with children in the mix too! To add icing on the cake, our kids are homeschooled as well! It’s crazy and intense and beautifully rewarding all at the same time. First off, I am really, really relaxed when it comes to structure and parenting. I think much more so than most ; ) Being flexible and having a high tolerance for chaos has helped immensely but running a successful business and being a good Mom is really, really tough!

Day to day, the kids go to bed late because we work late, they spend afternoons helping pack flowers because we have orders to get out, they know how to answer the phone politely, make flower labels, write an invoice and carefully set out centerpieces at a wedding.  Their lives are unrecognizable from their friends but they both have gotten a serious amount of drive and follow through from growing up on a farm.  My daughter Elora says she is going to write the most hysterical book about her childhood, because it’s all so unbelievable and crazy!

While raising children and growing a successful business at the same time is super intense, it has been the most magical and rewarding experience of my life!

So incredibly inspiring and amazing, Erin. And thank you so much for the gorgeous photography, Michèle. All of it just beyond beautiful.

We would be all over her Seattle flower subscription if we lived up that way! And her wedding work is really exceptional.

All photos by Michèle M. Waite.

The post Inspiring Mom: Erin Benzakein of Floret appeared first on 100 Layer Cakelet.

We stopped in to their new studio space in West LA a few weeks ago (with our favorite photographer – Scott Clark, of course) to see where Jamie and Chelsea work… and then be super jelly of their gorgeous space.

The lovely Jamie, mom to Kate.

And pretty Chelsea, mom to Owen and baby #2 arriving this summer.

Business Name: Sugar Paper LA

Year started: August 2003

Where do you work?
We work in a studio space in West Los Angeles.  We also have a retail location in The Brentwood Country Mart and ship worldwide via sugarpaper.com

What was the inspiration or impetus to start your business? 

We were both taught by our mothers to write thank you notes from a young age so paper was always a part of our lives. We fell in love with the nostalgia of letterpress printing and Sugar Paper grew organically from there. We began making invitations and announcements for family and friends and soon our “side” job became more demanding than our actual jobs. We took a leap of faith and ten years later we continue to make high quality paper goods for high quality people.

How does your business inspire your family, or your family inspire your business?

We’re surrounded by art all day so naturally art is a big part of our children’s lives. Chelsea’s son thinks the vintage letterpress machines are pure magic and Jamie’s daughter can’t get over how much ribbon we have around here. But mostly, we feel inspired that our children see their moms as capable, strong women. It’s tough to leave them each day, but we also feel good about the example it sets. It feels great to be accomplished in our own right.

How has it changed or evolved as your children have grown?

Our children are relatively young (2 and 3 respectively), but work changed dramatically when they arrived. We used to work very long hours and now we scoot out of here to be home for dinner. Our priorities shifted. We’re much more efficient during the day so we can turn off our computers at night and give them our undivided attention. Neither of us work on Fridays anymore. Fridays are the days that we are simply mom – that day is all about the kiddos.

You two are partners and both moms. That must be nice! How do you support each other as business partners, friends, and fellow moms?

We are so very lucky. Both of us having small children helps us relate to the balancing act that each of us are living, as we try to “have it all.” We often begin our workdays talking about parenting and child development… and laughing about the antics (err, tantrums) that happened at home the night before. Parenting is challenging and having a business partner who is also a friend – and also a parent of a small child – is truly a gift.

How do you figure out the balance of time with your children and time to work?

A novel could be written on this topic! Yes! We have help. It would be impossible to do all of this without help. We both have nannies Monday through Thursday and Fridays we are home with the kids. We talk often about the coordination, the scheduling, and the guilt that comes along with this choice, but at the end of the day we feel good about it. We love our children and we love what we do. We feel lucky… and busy.

Finally, a bit of advice from Chelsea on running your own business and being a mom.

“Having a business partner is critical these days. It’s so nice to be able to rely on someone you trust when your family needs come first. I’m having a baby in July and I know that stepping away for a couple months won’t be an issue because Jamie cares about the business as much as I do. That said, our business partnership works. We often hear nightmare stories about business partnerships going South and we are so thankful that we’re not in a situation like those. A successful partnership relies on an incredible amount of trust and having a similar work ethic. We are both very hard workers and can rely on one another to get down to business when the going gets tough. Owning an operating a business can look glamourous in shiny PR pictures, but at the end of the day it’s a TON of work…  and a job you can’t quit. The passion has to be there in spades for it to work out.”

If you’re in LA, we so recommend stopping by Sugar Paper’s retail store in Brentwood. It’s adorable and the shelves are just bursting with gorgeous paper and stationery. Or snoop around their online store! Love their thank you notes, coasters, note pads, and of course their custom letterpress stationery.

And especially cute? Their limited edition collection for goop!

Photos of Jamie, Chelsea and their kiddos by Jennifer Gregori.
All other photos by Scott Clark.

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