Australian born Raegan founded cult baby brand Aden + Anais, the swaddling blanket and baby goods company Moya-Jones founded is a global, multi-million dollar business. What woman hasn’t swaddled their baby in the ultra soft muslin blankets popularised by this mum of 4 girls. Raegan has told her story in her new book (including all the highs and lows) What it Takes and we cannot wait to have a sleep in on Mothers Day (please!) and begin devouring this inspiring book!
In this modern world what are the qualities you would most like to instil in your children?
That one is easy, kindness and manners, not enough of either in so many kids these days.
Top piece of advice for mums juggling working and raising children?
There is way too much “perfection” shoved down our throats, endless pictures and stories on instagram and podcasts about how idyllic life is for so many mothers, with their perfect husband, children and career. I call bullshit, and believe if these women who perpetrate the notion that being married, raising kids and having a career is easy, often portrayed using images of them wearing designer dresses with flawless make-up and hair in picturesque gardens and immaculate homes, were just a little bit more honest about what life is really like when the camera crew is gone, I think we would all be much better off. So my advice would be that you need to just accept there is only one of you and only 24 hours in the day and the truth is that most of us are hanging on by a thread, so just give yourself a break and be content with doing the best that you can despite the fact that it often doesn’t look pretty while you are doing it.
In your successful career so far, is there something that you would have done differently?
The biggest and probably only regret I have was selling the majority share of aden + anais to a private equity firm. I often speak to entrepreneurs who reach out to me for guidance and the one piece of advice I give all of them is "never sell the controlling interest in your business if you are still passionate about, and want to continue to run it". When you are ready to sell the majority share of your business you need to be ready to walk away, staying in without the ability to continue to lead the company or even have a meaningful say on the way forward doesn’t work, well at least not for me anyway.
Tell us about an inspiring mother you know?
I don’t know that I could pick just one. During my time at aden + anais I met many inspirational mums, sadly primarily due to their babies and children being seriously, and in some cases, terminally ill. I know how hard it is to mother and raise healthy children, I can’t even image what it would be like to have a sick or terminally ill baby or child. I was in awe of these women, who often reached out to me to thank me for the comfort that the aden + anais blankets brought their children during treatment. Which in itself is mind blowing to me that they would bother to do that given what they were going through. Their strength and grace during what could only be described as the worst possible scenario for a mother, never ceased to amaze me.
What is a female focussed charity close to your heart?
There are two, the first is Hopeland a charity that I proudly sit on the board of. Its mission is to find ways to prevent parent-child separation and reunify families.
The second is (RED), specifically, aden + anais raised money to pay for medicine that prevents a HIV positive pregnant woman passing on the virus to her unborn child in utero.
https://www.adenandanais.com/blog/red-campaign
Although not just female focused, these two charities are incredibly meaningful to me and are doing great work for women and children everywhere.
Launching her cult jewellery line in 1998 in California, Maya’s signature style is to inject a sense of fun and whimsy into timeless 14k gold and sterling silver bijou. This mum of 3 started out in social work and made jewellery as a way to de-stress before her designs were recognised by major retailers like Anthropologie and celebrities like Meghan Markle and Katy Perry where the business grew exponentially while remaining self-funded.
Photo credit: Leah Lee Photography
In this modern world what are the qualities you would most like to instil in your children?
I know it sounds corny, but I want them to enjoy what they do in life and to love passionately and be loved back. I just want them to experience true happiness.
Top piece of advice for mums juggling working and raising children?
Don’t put too much pressure on either aspect of your life. Both work and kids will be just fine!
In your successful career so far, is there something that you would have done differently?
I’m an overnight success after 20 years in business. Haha. My business has sometimes grown slower than I would have liked because I didn’t have investors or partners. And I’ve made a lot of mistakes over all those years but each one has gotten me to where I am now so I wouldn’t change it.
Tell us about an inspiring mother you know?
One of my best friends is doing a Foster-to-Adopt program in Los Angeles and she is caring for two little girls. They aren’t biologically hers but watching her raise them and love them fiercely has been so inspiring to me. She is a true mama!
What is a female focussed charity close to your heart?
58% of young women in foster care experience at least one pregnancy by age 19. Alliance of Moms is a program whose mission is to help break the cycle of foster care by helping young mothers build a solid foundation for themselves and their children.
Simone founded Louvelle showerwear in 2014 creating the original chic shower cap, after deciding women shouldn’t have to feel ugly while in the bathroom. She has grown the business into a line of beauty/bath accessories and has grown to be stocked in hundreds of major retailers in North America and Australia. She is also a mum of two little girls.
In this modern world what are the qualities you would most like to instil in your daughters?
Resilience and high self esteem are so important in the fast paced and often brutal world we live in. Being able to thrive when facing rejection, disappointment, failure and getting back on the horse!
Having high self esteem I believe to be the cornerstone of having a happy life and making good choices. Knowing and honouring one’s value and not accepting mis-treatment, whether it be at school, with boyfriends or from bosses in the workplace. I think is so important for this to be fostered in teenage girls growing into young women.
Top piece of advice for mums juggling working and raising children?
I would say that mother’s guilt seems to be a common theme and the truth is that you have to accept you can’t be giving 100% to all people at all times, there are times when you will be kicking goals in your career and there are times when you need to step back and focus more on your family. Really, do what makes you happy and the rest will fall into place.
In your successful career so far, is there something that you would have done differently?
I am very goal oriented and sometimes I may be guilty of pushing things too quickly and growing fast leads to growing pains. I have learned to slow down and this has resulted in better outcomes and also increased enjoyment in my work.
Tell us about an inspiring mother you know?
The most inspiring woman to me was my late Nanna Josephine. While she was a brilliant writer, she didn’t have the opportunities that women are so lucky to have today and devoted her life to her family and church community. Espousing kindness, classic elegance and grace, she embodies all the qualities I hope my daughters to have.
What is a female focussed charity close to your heart?
I recently signed up to be a mentor with My Road, a service through the Beacon Foundation offering mentoring to young women in remote communities who have limited exposure to industry role models by the time they leave school. I believe guidance on what career to choose and finding inspiration for your future is such pivotal time for teens transitioning to young women. Who really knows at 17 what they want to do? The more exposure people get to real women who have been there, done that is so important.
Founder of Beauty and Wellness site Beauticate a fantastic resource for women who want to discover insider tips and techniques to look and feel incredible. Sigourney is a mum of two and started Beauticate after working as a beauty journalist for over 16 years and was most recently Beauty & Health Director at Vogue Australia for nearly six years.
In this modern world what are the qualities you would most like to instil in your children?
Kindness towards others and respect for themselves. Also being thoughtful and mindful - learning the art of sitting by themselves, without needing to be plugged in and attached to a screen all the time. Learning that it’s okay to be a bit bored sometimes.
Top piece of advice for mums juggling working and raising children?
Accept the help! Use all the assistance you can get - daycare, nannies, after school care, playdates... And when you do have downtime, spend it with the kids and outsource the boring housework. Meal delivery services like The Dinner Ladies and Eat Fit Food are game changers.
In your successful career so far, is there something that you would have done differently?
Learning to trust my intuition sooner. And not hanging around in toxic work environments because I was too afraid to leave. Life’s too short to work with awful people!
Tell us about an inspiring mother you know?
I know it’s corny but all three mothers in my life are all so precious to me and with their different strength have inspired me in so many ways. My mum has had an incredible career in TV and has been a huge inspiration when it comes to gaining that elusive work/life balance. She’s still kicking incredible goals in her career as an Executive Producer but even when she’s flat out is always there for advice. My step mum Libby is also an inspiration both career-wise (she’s a very clever PR guru and Journo) and also when it comes to raising beautiful boys - my half brothers are such polite, smart young men. Finally, my mother in law Lynne is such a thoughtful and caring force in our lives. She has always put family firmly first and her children are testament to how important that is.
What is a female focused charity close to your heart?
I’ve done some work with Look Good Feel Better in the past which was wonderful and heart warming. I’m also really interested in Fitted For Work - it’s a great organisation that helps women get back into the workforce.
