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

September 3, 2013

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.

AM/PM with Jen Lee Koss from BRIKA

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.

AM/PM with Jen Lee Koss from 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!

Hazel Village stuffed animals on BRIKAI 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.

 

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26COMMENTS | Family

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Let’s Discuss

  1. Julia

    September 3, 2013 at 9:12 am

    I would love to win Nicholas Raccoon! So cute.

    Reply
  2. Laura

    September 3, 2013 at 9:22 am

    I love the striped shirt on Nicholas Bear!

    Reply
  3. Laura B.

    September 3, 2013 at 10:11 am

    What a cute giveaway! I love Lewis Toad!

    Reply
  4. Christa

    September 3, 2013 at 10:17 am

    I love Nicholas Raccoon – and the frog is a close second!

    Reply
  5. Kelly @ Studio DIY

    September 3, 2013 at 11:43 am

    I love Max Raccoon and Lewis Toad! These are too adorable.

    Reply
  6. Kerri from Happy Tuesday

    September 3, 2013 at 12:52 pm

    Oh my gosh, so cute! I also loved hearing Jen speak at Alt! And I would love to give my infant cousin Gwendolyn Raccoon–so precious!

    Reply
  7. Mari

    September 3, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    I cant decide between Owen. And Flora Fox!

    Reply
  8. jo rein

    September 3, 2013 at 2:21 pm

    Emma rabbit would make my little niece smile! So sweet!

    Reply
  9. Kara

    September 3, 2013 at 2:27 pm

    Love Max Raccoon!

    I also wanted to say that I think this is a great series and I would love to see more!

    Reply
  10. sara kristen

    September 3, 2013 at 5:56 pm

    i absolutely adore Owen Fox and Nicholas Bear. they’re all SO sweet.

    such a wonderful interview and thanks for the lovely giveaway. xo

    Reply
  11. erin

    September 3, 2013 at 8:10 pm

    max raccoon stole my heart at first glance…always a believer in love at first sight, gotta go with my heart <3

    Reply
  12. Allison

    September 3, 2013 at 8:18 pm

    I love Max Raccoon! I have two boys – Max and Reid – we get everything Raccoon for Reid so it’s like a combo of my two kids!

    Reply
  13. kim @ DESIGN + LIFE + KIDS

    September 3, 2013 at 8:23 pm

    Great Q + A!
    Love Gracie Cat or Flora Fox!

    Reply
    • kim @ DESIGN + LIFE + KIDS

      September 3, 2013 at 8:24 pm

      email correction 🙂

      Reply
  14. sarah kerridge

    September 4, 2013 at 5:01 am

    Love the raccoon. We don’t ahve those here in the UK so very exotic for the nursery!

    Reply
  15. Rachna

    September 4, 2013 at 6:23 am

    Hi! It was a tough choice – but I think I like Max Racoon as well! He seems to have a lot of character 😉 !

    Reply
  16. April

    September 4, 2013 at 7:05 am

    I would love to have Lewis Toad for my little one. 🙂

    A toad in striped leggings and a red scarf – pure win.

    Reply
  17. rachel

    September 4, 2013 at 8:37 am

    Awww, so cute. I’d love Owen Fox or Gracie Cat.

    Reply
  18. Emily M

    September 4, 2013 at 8:23 pm

    Owen Fox is super cute!

    Reply
  19. Hanna

    September 7, 2013 at 9:32 am

    Are you kidding me with how cute these are?! I love Owen Fox. They are all pretty stylin’ though.

    Reply
  20. Brittany Myers

    September 7, 2013 at 10:36 pm

    I love Juliette rabbit, Flora and Gracie cat 🙂

    Reply
    • Brittany Myers

      September 7, 2013 at 10:56 pm

      Oops! I didn’t post the whole twitter URL here it is:
      https://twitter.com/Britti_Myers/status/376553238839169024

      Reply
  21. Katie

    September 8, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    The Lewis Toad is just so charming–those striped pants just kill me!

    Reply
  22. Rachel

    September 8, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    How can I not choose Max raccoon for my baby Max!!

    Reply
  23. Brittany Myers

    September 9, 2013 at 10:43 am

    Even though I didn’t win… loved the giveaway!! 🙂 ♥ thanks Brika and Bunny and Dolly!! Oh and congrats Laura!!! 😀

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. What rhymes with hug me? (and Friday links) | Bunny and Dolly says:
    September 6, 2013 at 6:01 am

    […] Don’t forget to enter our BRIKA giveaway to win a Hazel Village stuffed animal of your […]

    Reply

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