3 things I learned about motherhood by launching a mom-centric brand
I wake up every morning with some new form of alarm. Sometimes it’s the loud ring of “Mom, I have to pee!” or the sounds of a child making barking noises. Today it was the melody of Queen’s “We Will Rock You.”
I knew all too well what I was getting into when I signed up for the full-time job of being a parent because I worked in childcare for five years. I knew how to react to a meltdown over serving the wrong cereal for breakfast and how not to panic when your baby inevitably poops in the bathtub. Nevertheless, becoming a mother did come with its many surprises, failures, and rewards.
I’ve also worked for wineries for the past eight years, and launching a new wine brand was a welcomed challenge. Throughout my experience, I’ve encountered unexpected similarities and revelations between being a mother and launching a wine brand centered around motherhood. I started drawing a few parallels that remind me that all of my failures teach me something new. For all my effort, once I release a child, or in this case a brand, into the world, people still have to like it.
1.) Not all of my best efforts will make a difference
Being pregnant for nine long months gives a person plenty of time to build a picture of what their child will become someday. I researched the best products, tested all the parenting tactics, and of course only fed him organic food while classical music played in the background. Much to my dismay, my son didn’t like the BPA-free pacifier, he spit out organic plain yogurt, and Beyoncé triggered more wiggles and smiles than Beethoven.
The same attention and preparation went into launching To the Moon and Back. I looked for competitors, found communities to align myself with, and made sure I had the best of everything to offer my customer. We sourced our product from Sonoma County, where we knew we could produce quality sparkling wine and Chardonnay from the bright, delicious fruit nurtured by the marine environment of the Pacific Coast.
We tirelessly searched for a name that would resonate with parents and children while tugging at their heartstrings. We searched for quite some time, ultimately landing on the name “To the Moon and Back” which would span across two labels as a set in tasteful packaging with hints of rose gold.
I honestly hope someone out there wants to convey to their mom all the love that we put into this one gift and I’ll hope organic food and Bethoveen yields an Olympian or a Juilliard prodigy.
2.) What really matters is the impact I’ll make on others
I now have a small person and a fledgling brand to launch into the world. While I want both to be considered “the best kid” and “the best wine,” what I’m really looking for is a lasting positive impact on others.
With my own child I want him to make good choices and generally be regarded as a good person. Introducing a brand to the world requires different aspirations. I want people to feel a sense of appreciation towards their mothers or nurturers who have played an important role in their lives. I want this wine to become part of someone’s tradition when they want to surprise their mother or mother figure unexpectedly. Wine inhabits all the little celebratory and memorable moments in our lives; I don’t want you grabbing just anything for your mom at the grocery store.
3.) Celebrating motherhood is a year-round endeavor
With Mother’s Day just around the corner I challenged myself to think about how I want motherhood to be celebrated year round. At home, I want to be thanked for putting dinner on the table and hugged and kissed after reading the third bedtime story my son asked for. Each and every mother deserves recognition each and every day, for all of the hard work and sacrifices they make.
We intentionally named our wine, hoping that it would remind people that while there is no right time or place to celebrate our mothers, we should make great efforts to do so. Twenty-twenty was the year that reminded us of how important it is to show appreciation to those we love, and 2021 is the year we show we didn’t forget.
Visit celebratemom.com to learn more or follow on Instagram at @celebratemom.
