MOMSPIRED MOMPRENEUR

Mommy Chesca is an artist and Mom Boss of Studio Maria

We’re starting a new feature in the MOMspired Tribe!

We want to celebrate mompreneurs and their businesses -- to learn about the challenges, successes, and everything in between.

We first discovered STUDIO MARIA (@studiomaria.formamas) on Instagram. The brand is all about SELF LOVE, BODY POSITIVITY and CELEBRATING MOTHERHOOD. We immediately knew we wanted to share this business with all the mamas out there.

So we reached out to Mama Chesca Susmerano, and she happily shared her story with us....

Can you tell me a little bit about your background? I'm a development worker by profession. But when I started to really reflect about who I was and what I wanted to do in life, I realized that ever since I was a kid I was passionate about arts and crafts. I was that kid who loved craft projects and now I'm that mom who'd DIY stuff for my daughter. It took a long while before I finally acted on my itch to go back to art. In 2014, I started joining short watercolor workshops and just continued making time for art even for just once a month.

How did you start Studio Maria? Just before the pandemic, I resigned from my very stable job because I was tired of the long travel time (5-6 hours a day) and I wanted more time for my daughter. I did not know that a week later, we'll be on a long-time quarantine. In a way, I felt like the world stopped with me. With the pandemic and without a job, I joined some online art and illustration classes. My only idea was to be able to earn even little bit from this ipad that I have. I started @studiomaria.bychesca and made portrait illustrations for people. My sister-in-law, who is also my entrepreneurship mentor @rizzalana gave me very useful advice for branching out – “who is that community you want to serve?”

Immediately, I thought I want to serve MOMS like me. So I started conceptualizing what value I can give to moms through my art and it became Studio Maria for Mamas! What made you decide to go into this kind of business? My ultimate dream is to become an artpreneur because then I'd be able to provide for my family but also have the flexibility to be a somewhat "stay at home" mom while being able to do what I love - ART. Studio Maria is my art and design on shirts, totes, caps and more. Eventually, I’d also love to release painting collections.

How did it grow to what it is now? We're still a very very small business! I do everything from design, marketing, packing, social media, talking to suppliers, accounting, etc. I also get help from my sister who is also an ecommerce whiz. But even if it's very challenging to do everything, I experience great joy seeing other moms appreciate what I have created for them. I think we are growing because we keep it authentic and moms can really relate from their own motherhood journey. I enjoy finding humor in motherhood.

Beautiful jewelry piece showcasing motherhood pride

How do you manage your business, mommy duties, etc? At first I was always frustrated! I wanted to be the super available mom, but I also wanted to work on the start-up business. But with a toddler who will not always agree with your schedule, it was really frustrating. Plus the mom guilt when you want to work rather than play. But I am able to manage with a very supportive husband (who helps me out and cheers me on) and by getting reliable help, plus the help of extended family in child care. I used to think that when I started a family, we'd be super independent. But now, I've realized that it's not meant to be that way. Motherhood should not be done alone. We need help and it's okay to ask for help.

What are the greatest fulfillments and challenges with your business? I am really really happy when a fellow mom tells me how happy they are with what I've created for them. I want to bring joy to moms, because motherhood is hard and we need to appreciate ourselves. The greatest challenge to me is not knowing everything. When you're an employee, you can ask your boss or your colleagues when you don't know something. Being a microentrepreneur, you have to seek people out and ask if you need help. As an introvert and an enneagram 5, reaching out and letting other people know about my raw ideas is very nerve-wracking! Up to now, I am still so shy even to relatives when I need to ask for business advice. And even if I get advice, it's up to me to decide and create that "path" for my own business.

All smiles for the dynamic duo, Mommy Chesca and her mini-me ❤

How has the pandemic affected your business? I guess the uncertainty brought about by the pandemic makes it difficult to decide whether it's the right time to expand and take more business risks. The business was borne out of the pandemic but it’s hard to weigh how much the pandemic will affect my family and my community.

Looking forward, what are your hopes and dreams for Studio Maria? I look forward for Studio Maria to become every mom's go to place to find fun stuff for moms that make them happy being a mom. I also want it to become a community of supportive and kind moms who help each other out to become the best version of themselves. When you become a mom, you can celebrate this newfound identity without losing your own identity.

The super super big dream is also to be able to employ moms (with childcare services on the job, and mom-centric benefits) and set-up an organization that helps moms in need.

How about a pair of earrings to show-off your super power -- lactating!

Do you have any message to moms out there who are also interested in starting their own business? Start small, fail small but learn lots. But the best thing you can do before actually starting anything is to dig deep and get to know yourself better. Don't go into a baking business if you’re not passionate about baking. It's your love for what you offer that will set you apart from others.

There are also so many free online resources to be able to start an online business. Lazada and Shopee is free with free resources! You just have to try and learn along the way. A slow start is still a start.

Mommy Chesca is truly an inspiration to us.

If you’re interested in learning more about her brand, her products (statement tees, caps, and even her newly launched jewelry pieces), please follow her accounts on Instagram!

• Studio Maria for Mamas - @studiomaria.formamas

• Art and Illustrations - @studiomaria.bychesca

Shop Studio Maria merchandise here:

• Website - studiomaria.art

• Lazada - Studio Maria

• Shopee - studiomaria.bychesca

Note: This is not sponsored content. The MOMspired Tribe intends to provide FREE features and extended online exposure to small businesses of fellow moms without any sponsorship fees or x-deals.