Describe yourself in 3 words...
Competitive, sweet, funny
What has been your biggest inspiration in business?
My kids and my husband, my business partner. They remind me every day why I do this and why I keep going.
How did you execute your vision and manage motherhood and a career?
Ha! I’m still figuring it out but for sure having a different understanding of balance and time has helped immensely. For me, it is a failing game to try and fit everything in over a short period of time, in a day for example. There is no balance that lies there, but looking at life as a whole and the phases I have and hope to go through allows me to devote time to my kids, time to my career, to myself and my husband. I can’t do it all in a week but I very much hope to do it all in a lifetime.
What was your biggest challenge in raising four children?
I am actually that business woman that would rather stay at home. I often joke that I am an accidental entrepreneur, but I think so many women in business are, out of necessity to provide for their families as well as those that choose to do it for other reasons. My biggest challenge has been to not be the stay-at-home mom that I wanted and figure out how to balance an immense career while making my kids have the experience of a stay-at-home mom. It’s an impossible dance but I am hopeful that what I do achieve on both the Home at the Work front will all work together as great parenting. They are, after all, not always going to want me to wipe their noses, but might actually appreciate an internship too!
How do you carve out time for yourself and how do you like to spend this time?
At home! I find peace and safety in playing with my kids, only yesterday to watch their joy trick or treating can be very exciting. I also love to decorate and bake (I know I sound like Susie homemaker) but I do it with a cocktail!
What classes did you find most beneficial for your children?
Depends on which of my children you are talking about. We have 4 and their loves and needs are all very different. I would say it took trying lots of different things before we found out (and are still finding out) what they love to do and find helpful.
For my 9 year old, it’s competitive sports, my 7 year old it’s science or chess workshops, my 6 year old art, and my 3 year old is still finding what she loves but anything with some girlfriends to socialize with and she is happy. Honestly, at the end of the day though, classes are no substitute to the adventures we have always had together around the city.
What was your favorite family vacation?
We go to Charleston, SC every summer and it is our second home. There are beachs, culture, golf, southern charm...something for everyone and it is a true escape from the hoi Paloi in nyc.
What is your best advice for a new mama?
Accept that your worrying is part of why you are already a fabulous mom, but also embrace that many of the things that keep you up at night now are not going to be the things you worry about in the future. Don’t destroy yourself over concerns that in your heart you know you will get through (ahem potty training) but instead concern yourself with the things that are needed not through phases but through all of them (love).
What lesson or values do you hope to instill in your children?
Confidence, work ethic, honesty, compassion, humor, adventure and empathy
What are your goals for 2018? Anything new in the pipeline we should know about?
Ah 2018 is a big year. We will continue to grow our Maternity, nursing and baby business. As wells as nurture our sleep collaboration with Naturepedic and denim with DL1961. We will also be expanding the categories we offer moving into more gear related items and mom focused products. Stay tuned and visit www.rosiepope.com
What is your favorite secret spot in NYC that you can share with our audience?
Well now it is Sotheby’s, looking at the collections and having a little treat in saint Ambrose! It’s like going to the Met except you actually get to try on the treasures!