Mom Next Door – Sili and Momspirational KRISTIN AHMER
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Posted
June 3, 2012 by @fittingintime in
Mom Next Door
I’ve been friends with Kristin for several years….we actually worked together in our former life within the apparel industry. Before having kids, we would meet monthly for our inspirational lunches at Naked Cafe. It was the best….since then we’ve changed careers, had a few kids and the rest is history. Since then Kristin has pursued her own venture in developing the “Sili Squeeze”, and I had the opportunity to sit down with her to get up to speed on what’s been going on with her new company AND also get some really great mommy tips on how to balance motherhood, career and life.
Kristin’s Bio:
I am a daughter, sister, friend, wife and mother living in beautiful San Clemente, California. As the CEO and founder of The Sili Company, my team and I develop products for parents and caretakers that allow children to enjoy wholesome, nutrient-rich foods. Our dedicated team works hard to make the adventures of parenthood a little easier, with an environmentally conscious mind.
The Sili Squeeze™ is the first-born product of The Sili Company, inspired by my first-born, Will Reef. The Sili Squeeze™ is a reusable squeeze that lets your little one enjoy delicious blends of freshly pureed food, in addition to ready-made favorites like yogurt and applesauce, while on-the-go!
‘Squeezing the goodness out of what we are given®’ is our company trademark; It is a statement that flowed right off my tongue when envisioning my little one squeezing organic, vitamin rich, fruit and veggie blends from his Sili Squeeze™. As I continued to develop the Sili Squeeze™, I realized there is more depth to that statement—it is both factual andmetaphorical. Life itself is a crazy adventure with so many twists and turns, peaks and valleys. In my mind, to live life to the fullest we truly have to squeeze the goodness out of each obstacle or opportunity that is presented to us.
In 2011, our second-born product the Sili Squeeze with Eeeze was developed so that older children could continue to squeeze the goodness. During production, a wonderful discovery was made – special needs children and adults with eating challenges could rediscover the joy of eating with this new product. And over the holiday season of 2011, our extended Sili family (that’s you!) warmed my heart and fulfilled one of my dreams through the success of Project Sili Soul – allowing The Sili Company to donate over 300 Sili Squeezes to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County.
As The Sili Company enters its second year, I continue to count my blessings and practice gratitude daily. My second-born child, Sage Everly, is the newest addition to my growing family, giving my husband and I the privilege of raising two healthy, flourishing little ones. I continue to discover my children’s ever changing needs and desires which inspire me everyday as a parent and product developer.
A little tid bit from our mommy time together….
Q. What inspired you to create Sili Squeeze?
A. The birth of my first-born child and brain surgery later in the week…Worried, saddened and miffed by the news of a lethal brain bleed the day after giving birth to my first-born child were just some of the feelings I felt as I laid in the hospital bed with my baby boy in my arms and husband by my side. After months of nesting and anticipating the tender first days of my son’s life, I would be unable to bond with my child as I underwent emergency surgery and a grueling recovery process in the ICU.
I patiently recovered at home once released from the hospital and began developing a relationship with my first-born child. I was enamored – this precious son, this second chance in life! Suddenly I never felt happier in my whole life. With a devoted husband and healthy baby boy, I took full advantage of this second chance to live and breathe; I moved full-speed ahead with plans to enjoy the rest of my life with enthusiasm and gratitude. The Sili Company was born out of this higher understanding and rejuvenated sense of life.
It was the summer following my successful brain surgery that I felt compelled to design the world’s first patent-pending reusable squeeze pouch intended for babies and toddlers who were ready for soft-food nutrition, after discovering nothing like this existed…in the world. Researching other parents frustrations and concerns with the disposable fruit and veggie pouches , I looked forward to saving them money and extra messes by designing a spill-proof squeeze pouch – perfect for car rides, play dates and running errands.
Q.How do you balance your work/life schedule with (2) kids and growing business?
A. Balance is ALWAYS a work in progress! I try to really live in the moment or day as much as possible. I make sure to “unplug” when I get home from the office and seperate work and home as much as possible, even though it can be very tough since most days my children are with me at the office!
Q. Your advice to moms that are trying to start a small business?
A. Write your goals down! Both personal and professional goals and stick them in a place you see daily and routinely…the fridge, your bathroom mirror, dash board of your car, where ever is best for you! I’m a big believer in visualizing your dreams, so for me, seeing my goals in writing helps me work towards them. And patience.
Q. 5 daily items you just can’t live without….and help you get through your day?
A. Coffee. My babies. My hubby. My iphone. My amazing Sili staff!
Q. 3 areas that you still struggle with that make you a real mom?
1. Balance for my personal needs- I need more me time, but I am working on that!
2. The notion that I can’t be perfect at everything on the domestic front and that it’s ok.
3. That I am not as strong as I come off at times, and I need to be able to surrender to the tears if needed rather then bottling them up.
Q. What is your most inspiring or motivating quote that you try to live by?
