MADE Maven Special Women's Issue April 2018 | Page 26

MADEFEATURES AC: Homemade has actually been a couple of years in the mak- ing. We launched last April or May so we’re approaching a year, we’re going to be a year old soon. At the time, there was a void in the mar- ketplace, there was a gap. There was nothing for larger families and truthfully a lot of these services out there lack flavor so for me I wanted something affordable for families, the ingredients were fresh and sustainably sourced and responsi- bly sourced because a lot of these services out there are throwing God knows what into these boxes. And third, that it was packed full of flavor. I really wanted people to experience that home cooked meal without all of the work. So Home- made kits don’t lack spice, they don’t lack flavor and they don’t lack creativity. So making sure I had that was really important. Having two small children, I know how hard it is on a regular night. So the thought was to have something in the box that could occupy your child while you’re cooking, but still get them involved in the meal. So I had my brother create these char- acters based on my daughter, who basically talk about food, whether it’s what’s for dinner or why they need to drink water and we made it fun and creative with these cute coloring books. Every box comes with a coloring book and the kids are learning about their meal while you’re cooking it and sitting right in front of you coloring. We took it one step further and created a kid’s box so we were the first company to actually have solely a kid’s box filled with children’s favorites that we did healthy alternatives for. It really gives the parents options and it’s so affordable. It’s $24.99 and it contains 2-3 meals in each box so that feeds 3 children plus leftovers. We have a mac and cheese meal that has edamame so kids are getting their veggies in and the sauce has butternut squash in the cheese sauce. It’s really making sure it’s delicious and also making sure the kids are getting the nutrition that they need. We pretty much have options for everyone. And looking forward, we’re working on bigger and better things for the service. I’m pregnant, so we’re trying to come up with baby food options and options for pregnant and nursing moms. There’s a lot of fun things on the way for the meal kit, but I think being innovative sets us apart. MADE: Sounds great! Now in addi- tion to Homemade, you have your hands in so many other projects on top of being a wife and mom with another one on the way. What’s your productivity secret? AC: A lot of people ask about balance and I always say there’s no such thing as balance! It’s just so hard with Instagram and the image that people put on the internet—and even I’m a victim of that. I’ll look at somebody’s profile and think, “Man, they’ve got it all together.” I have to remember that it’s just a moment in time. It’s about putting things into perspec- tive. Every mom on the face of the planet is exhausted and has a to do list as long as the ocean and we never check off all the boxes. I think learning that you’re not alone and forming this mom tribe and realiz- ing that we’re all in this together is what helps me. I know that if I only get through half of my to-do list, it’s ok. I know at some point it’s going to get done. It’s about spending quality time with my children— that’s what’s in the forefront and is what’s most important to me. Productivity is making sure that my kids are fed, clothed, happy and learning how to be good human beings. If the rest falls after that, then that’s ok. MADE: You’ve really came in the cooking industry and have made an impact and you’re starting to make waves in the beauty industry as well. How do you decide when to pivot and what projects to take on next? made-magazine.com | 26