AM/PM: A day in the life of Jen from BRIKA (and a giveaway!)

AM/PM chronicles a day in the life of busy mothers to explore how all different types of moms juggle their responsibilities–from stay-at-home moms to moms who work full time outside of the home. If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “I don’t know how she does it” about another mom, read on!

Today we’re talking about balancing work and motherhood with Jen Lee Koss, Co-founder and Builder of Business of BRIKA. BRIKA is a new online shopping destination that offers a curated selection of heirloom-quality crafts while celebrating the makers behind them. (It also happens to be a Bunny & Dolly sponsor, although this is not a sponsored post!) I was inspired by Jen’s short presentation on storytelling and passion at Alt NYC and couldn’t wait to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her day-to-day life.

Q. How many children do you have?

A. I have two kids – Aksel who is 2.5 and Annabelle who turned 1 on June 8th!

Q. Have you always been a working mom?

A. Yes, I have always been a working mom. I moved to Canada five years ago, so I was really blessed to have been able to spend an entire year at home on maternity leave before going back to my private equity job.

BRIKA was a little side-project before I left on my second maternity leave! My co-founder Kena and I brainstormed this little idea that eventually took shape and formed over the following months. I decided to leave my job in finance to pursue it full time!

Q. Walk us through a typical work day… What time do you and your kids wake up?

A. WAY TOO EARLY!!! Typically between 5:30 and 6:00am.

Q. What does your morning look like?

A. Aksel usually wakes up first and we get downstairs to prepare breakfast (a bowl of oatmeal with yogurt and fruit). While he’s eating, Annabelle usually gets up and she is eating a bowlful of the same! Meanwhile, I’m usually drinking a latte and eating a big piece of toast with almond butter and honey. We’re creatures of habit!

Q. What time do you eat lunch?

A. It’s typically close to noon.

Q. What does your afternoon look like?

A. It’s filled with meetings, emails, more meetings, more emails and couple of phone calls thrown in there. My days have never been more jam-packed since starting BRIKA.

Q. What time do you eat dinner?

A. Sometimes it’s with the kids–super early, around 5:30pm or sometimes it’s after the kids go to bed so around 8:00pm. It depends on how hectic my day has been!

Q. What does your evening look like?

A. Once the kids are in bed, I am the most productive! I am right back on my computer and working like a mad woman!

Q. What time do you go to bed?

A. Typically around midnight. TOO LATE!

Q. What do you most look forward to doing on the weekends?

A. Going to our favorite French bakery with my husband and kids, pizza nights where my husband and I make a big pizza from scratch and drink some wine, and catching up with great friends!

Q. What’s your most effective way to de-stress when you’re feeling overwhelmed?

A. Exercise! There is nothing like a runners high!

I love to browse the children’s products on BRIKA and absolutely adore these stuffed animals from Hazel Village. One lucky Bunny & Dolly reader will win the Hazel Village stuffed animal of her choice courtesy of Jen and BRIKA!

To enter, visit Hazel Village on BRIKA and note which stuffed animal you’d like to win. Then fill out the Rafflecopter prompts below! There are six different ways to enter, so please read the directions carefully. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway is now CLOSED. Congratulations to the winner, and thanks to everyone who played!

P.S. — In addition to growing their community of makers and expanding their inventory of beautiful, well-crafted objects, BRIKA is teaming up with Madewell to present the Storyteller Series contest. Sign up here to win a trip to two to Austin, plus a Madewell gift card.