I recently had a chance to interview savvy mompreneur Michaela Cotter Santen, founder and owner of the BumpStyle brand of amazingly sexy, comfy and awesomely versatile maternity tops.  (By the way, did you get a chance to read my review of BumpStyle yet?)

Learn more about this marvelous mama:

Tell me a little about yourself!

I grew up in California. Moved to Oregon for college where I majored in Journalism. I moved to Paris for nearly three years after graduating where among other things I ended up working for CBS/60 Minutes. I moved back to the States in 1997 and worked as a news producer/reporter for television and radio stations in Portland, OR. I married my husband Dave in 2003 and we now have two kids together, Scout age 3 and Dashiell, 17 months.

What city and state do you and your family call home?

Portland, OR

What are your favorite things to do with your children?

I love taking my kids to OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). They have the most incredible activities for children of all ages. We also love going to the Zoo and to the many parks in our neighborhood.

When you’re in need of some relaxation, what’s your escape?

Ideally, the spa for a massage and facial. But sometimes just taking an hour to go to the coffee shop and read is enough to recharge my battery.

On to business! What was your driving force behind creating the bumpstyle brand?

When I was pregnant with Scout I was so frustrated with maternity clothes. All the tops were either too short or too wide. And the patterns!!!! UGH! Why designers think that all pregnant women want to walk in a tent blouse with enormous flowers on it was beyond me. So I worked with a local designer and had a shirt pattern made up. I found a beautiful fabric and started getting custom tops made. I got so many compliments that I decided to turn it into a business.

What personal or professional obstacles did you run into when first building bumpstyle?

I am a television producer, not a clothing designer so it was hard for me to feel like I had the right to start a clothing business without a clothing background.

As a mompreneur, do you have advice for moms regarding juggling work and family?

Set aside clear cut times each week for your children, your business and yourself. I find whenever I try to work when my children are around I end up cheating both my kids and my business. When I am with my kids, I am with them 100% and the same goes for my business. Also, if you can, make sure to take a little time each week for you, just you. Get out of the house, away from your computer, kids, husband, etc. and recharge. It will make you a better mom and a better business owner.

Michaela is an amazing lady, and she’s super friendly, too!  She’s a great example of a mom who found something she loved.  Deciding to share her wonderful product with others turned that love into a thriving business turning Michaela into a mompreneur to look up to.  If you’re expecting or need to get a gift for a mama to be, definitely check out BumpStyle for hip, sexy and chic maternity tops that’ll get you a million and one compliments, wherever you go.

Technorati Tags: mompreneur interview, mom entrepreneur, mom business owner, woman business owner, interview, BumpStyle, maternity, t-shirts, tops, sexy maternity, chic maternity, hip maternity, stylish maternity

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