Meet the Moms behind Moxy & Main
This Mother’s Day weekend we’re shutting off our computers, turning off our phones (well, at least for a little bit…) and taking out the camera and enjoying our families. As we are a 24/7 365 company, we wanted to stop and introduce you to our team of fiercely fabulous moms who work their butts off to get you deals, information and events around your town.
We’re so excited to continue to expand across the nation and onto your Main Streets. Interested in joining the team? Reach out to us at hello@moxyandmain and let us know why your town needs to be on our map.
JAIME MOLINARO - CO-FOUNDER
Favorite Family Activity - Friday family movie/pizza night. It’s Friday, and we love to order our favorite pizza and then cuddle up and watch a movie. It’s the official start to our weekend and we love to start it off right!
Best Part About Being a Mom - There are many amazing parts about being a Mom. My favorite is bedtime, for obvious reasons… But watching my girls expand their interests and finding things that they love (like reading about space and traveling together) is really very cool.
Advice for Expectant or New Moms - Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. Try to soak in all of the sweet little moments you can. No one is pulling your leg when they say how fast it goes by. So leave the dishes in the sink, and inhale that baby all day long.
MARNIE - CO-FOUNDER & WESTFIELD, NJ
Favorite Family Activity - Weekends are precious. Undivided family time - wherever it may be and whatever we are doing. Our daughter just turned a year and a half, so each week is a new adventure for all of us. The discoveries, the milestones - it’s all fun as long as we’re together.
Best Part About Being a Mom - The first thing each morning and the last thing each night is a kiss from our daughter. It could be our best day, it could be our toughest. It doesn’t matter. The kiss is the greatest equalizer that makes all hardships disappear and my heart swell. Being a mom is the most powerful thing in the entire world. In addition to everything my daughter brings into my life, the best part about being a mom is finding out how strong your bond is with your partner. I loved my husband as his wife, but I love him more as the mother to his child.
Advice for Expectant or New Moms - Buy a journal. Write it all down. Cravings, weight gain, first kicks, birth, milestones, awesome days, hard days, everything. In the moment you experience it and swear you’ll never forget it, and then days turn into weeks turn into months turn into years and you wish you had something to look back on. And also, print your pictures. Don’t rely on technology.
HEATHER - Summit, NJ
Favorite Family Activity - Spending quality family time is the most important times in a child’s life. Taking a few days off to make memories is my favorite way of spending time with my husband and daughter. With our lives being so busy, I love just detaching from the daily routine and getting away with the ones that I love. Just us.
Best Part About Being a Mom - My daughter brings out the best in me. Learning to be the best version of myself is both challenging and rewarding. I realized after having her that everyday I need to be more patient, kinder, gentler, sweeter and I do my best to live more in the moment.
Advice for Expectant or New Moms - Laugh. Laugh at yourself, laugh with your spouse, laugh with your child or children because when it comes down to it all…..Life is funny.
MANDI - West Essex, NJ
Favorite Family Activity - We love Summertime and having pool & outdoor time. Walking around town & shopping in our favorite stores in nice weather, playing in the park…It’s so much fun watching the new discoveries that Ava makes over time.
Best Part About Being a Mom - Having my little baby grab my face & hug me & say “I Love you Mommy.” Can never get “mommy” too many times in a day. I love it.
Advice for Expectant or New Moms - It’s not cliche… truly enjoy every single moment - good & bad. It goes fast. Expectant moms - sing to your bellies! And new moms, just take each day to stare into your baby’s eyes and be proud of your accomplishment. Cherish your child & their innocence.
JESS - Minneapolis, MN
Favorite Family Activity - We love cooking together. Ben loves waiting for my husband to come home so they cook something together for dinner. My husband is an amazing chef and it’s sparking such an interest in my son! Not only does it make my son feel like he’s helping with meals, but it also gets him more interested in eating the foods he makes!
Best Part About Being a Mom - The best part about being a mom is watching how much my son grows and the joy in his eyes while watching the world around him and all the possibilities he has!
Advice for Expectant or New Moms - My advice for new moms is to keep telling yourself it’s just a phase when things get tough. Just like us, babies and toddlers go through rough patches and just remember to be patient and know that the tantrum won’t last forever (even if you’ve already pulled out half your hair)
HELEN - Montclair, NJ
Favorite Family Activity - Spending time down the shore as a family! Now that we are gearing up for awesome weather, we can’t wait to bring our little guy down to our favorite beach spots on Long Beach Island and introduce him to all the Jersey shore has to offer!
Best Part About Being a Mom - The cuddles… and the little voice that says “I love you, mama.”
Advice for Expectant or New Moms - It’s easy to get consumed with taking care of your family - don’t forget to carve out some time for yourself, whether it be for a mani/pedi, drinks with the girls, or a long walk to unwind. You deserve it!
COLBY - Orange County, CA
Favorite Family Activity - Our favorite family activity is grabbing a bite to eat and then enjoying ourselves outside, either at the beach, park, or outdoor mall. We love to walk around and experience new things with Levi. He’s at such an enjoyable age where he loves to be out- seeing other kids and animals. It really is true that having kids allows you to see things as they do…as if you’re seeing it for the first time. My heart just bursts seeing how excited he gets over the silliest things. Nothing in the world makes me happier.
Best Part About Being a Mom - The best part about being a mom, by far, is the constant love and affection from my favorite little person. The way he squeezes me and nuzzles his neck into my shoulder melts my heart. His hugs never get old and I love when he runs in for one! Hearing his giggle is a close second because we make each other laugh and he thinks I’m just the funniest!
Advice for Expectant or New Moms - My advice for expectant or new moms is balance…balance…balance. First and foremost, keep your child in mind when establishing a daily plan. (That does not mean, however, that you can’t try to have them on a 9pm to 9am schedule if that works better for you than the typical 6pm to 6am.) Every child is different and it’s easier to figure out their momentum and help naturally schedule their days instead of dictating for them. Some kids only need cat naps throughout the day while others do better with 2 or 3 longer naps. It’s important to establish a routine but don’t make yourself crazy. For the most part, everything will fall into place naturally…even when you think that may never happen.
SARA - Monmouth County, NJ
Favorite Family Activity - Dance Party and Singing in the Car
Best Part About Being a Mom - If you think my hands are full, you should see my heart. I work hard and play hard. My favorite part of everyday is coming home after work to two shrieking girls who are excited to see me.
Advice for Expectant or New Moms - Enjoy holding your baby. Eventually they wiggle their way out of your arms. Make sure to ask for “me” time when you need it!
CATHERINE - Hoboken, NJ
Favorite Family Activity - Cooking! Sharing in home cooked meals together is very important to my husband and I. After a long day of being apart we really look forward to sitting down together as a family.
Best Part About Being a Mom - The best part about being a mom is getting to witness the successes of your kids. There is no way to explain the joy this brings to your heart.
Advice for Expectant or New Moms - My advice for new moms is that the best advice comes from other moms around you. Lean on them and they will surprise you with both endless knowledge and unwavering kindness.
** some staff not pictured here **
