Meet Sarah, Founder & CEO of Lotus Box
Happy Meet A Mom Monday, Mamas! Today we’re excited to introduce you to Sarah! She’s a true inspiration- single mama to three boys and Founder and CEO of Lotus Box, a monthly subscription box for PMS.
We got our first box last month and we’re hooked! We’re on the same cycle and timed it perfectly to arrive on the first day of our period, which for most of us is always the worst, and it was such a treat! Anything a woman could want when she’s got a visit from Aunt Flow was in the box and made our day!
We all have our go-to methods to help us through that time of the month and for us, Lotus Box, has to be added to the list. You can tailor the box to fit your needs and your box arrives with luxurious, all natural products for the ultimate self-care experience.
Each month the items in the box chance, so you can be surprised with a variety of items like chocolate, bath bombs, candles, fuzzy socks, nail polish, heating pads, yummy smelling soaps, pretty panties, art, and more!
Recently featured in Women.com and Everyday Health, this mamapreneur isn’t slowing down! We got to chat with Sarah about the inspiration behind her business, how she balances running a company and being a single parent, and all her favorite things about the Katy community.
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Katy?
This one’s tough to answer. I’ve moved A LOT. I grew up in Houston, but I went to junior high and part of high school here. So in a way, I’m from Katy, but I’ve been living in Austin, San Antonio, and all over California for the last 20 years. I just moved back to Katy almost two years ago.
You’ve got 3 kiddos, all boys! What are their names and how old are they?
My 3 sons are Noah-10, Jude-8, and River-2
Greatest gift about having a big family and is 3 kids that much harder than 2?
Three is a lot but I’m the oldest of 8, so our family is small in comparison. I honestly have no idea how my parents survived. I think kids are a lot of work even if you just have one. I do feel outnumbered and a little spread thin time-wise with three, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I just love them all so much, I just wish there was more of me to go around.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I was a Theatre Major. I used to be an actor and now I’m a startup founder. I never imagined I would find myself on this path, but here I am!
Favorite local things to do in Katy?
My favorite local things to do in Katy are taking the kids over to La Centerra to eat Torchy’s and run around the green area, and when I don’t have the kids with me, I like to go get dinner and drinks at Whiskey Cake.
What’s your favorite thing about raising a family in Katy?
My entire family lives here, and it’s been really sweet to watch my kids get close to all of them.
What is your go-to activity for yourself for pampering or for fun?
My go-to activity for fun is to go out dancing, whether it’s a Zumba class at the Y or a night out with friends. Dancing is my favorite way to decompress!
Funniest shortcut/routine for helping you through parenthood?
I’m naturally a very spontaneous person, but the only way I’ve survived motherhood, especially single motherhood, is by establishing routines for everything. Whether it’s getting everyone ready and out the door in the morning or getting in and out of the car or getting work done while entertaining a toddler, I have a system for everything. Although, I think if you took a glimpse at my life you might not think so. I’m always in a hurry and trying to fit too much into a day. My lists and my routines keep me sane.
Best mom hack that makes life easier?
I have a lot, but one of the most important ones I’ll mention is this. Teach your kids how to pour their own cereal and turn on Netflix as soon as you can. It’s the only way I get to stay in bed past 7am on Saturdays.
But seriously, I’ve had 3 kids, one epidural, one water birth, and one c-section. I breastfed each of them for two years, and I feed them all organic food on a pretty tight budget. I’ve moved with them, I’ve traveled with them, and I’ve started a business while raising them. I have a mom hacks for everything!
Tell us about your business, Lotus Box, and how you came up with the concept!
My company is called Lotus Box. It’s a subscription Box for PMS. I started this company because my friends and I were sitting around one day drinking wine and talking about how much worse our PMS symptoms had gotten with babies and age. I was explaining that I learned I just needed to slow down and be more gentle with my body during that time. Their husbands were all saying they just stay away from their wife when she’s PMSing, and I suggested the bring her chocolate and wine and flowers instead. Then I thought, what if a box of goodies just showed up at your doorstep every month when you’re PMSing? The idea kept floating, and two years later after my third son was born, I launched Lotus Box!
Best advice for working moms who experience the inevitable and dreaded MOM GUILT?
Best advice I have to working mom’s experiencing mom-guilt is… You’re teaching your kids about work ethic and work/life balance, which is such an important life skill. My kids love to ask about Lotus Box, and I can tell they’re listening and learning each time we talk about it.
Who has most influenced you to be the mom you are today?
I am the mom I am today because I watched my mom work hard as a single mom to support her kids, I watched my dad start multiple businesses while I was growing up, and I watched my stepmom raise a huge family with patience and compassion.
When parenting gets hard, what’s something you tell yourself that gets you through?
I remind myself I only get a short time with them. We should cherish it and slow down to take in the precious moments, lock in the memories of those cute faces and sweet voices, to appreciate the privilege it is to get to raise them.
Name one thing you hope your kids look back and remember about their childhood and you as their mama?
I hope my kids look back and remember my resilience, my passion for activism, and my commitment to family and community
What would you tell the old “You” before you had kids?
I would tell pre-kids Sarah to get your career established before you have kids. It was a struggle for me for a long time trying to balance both.
