I met Marlynn when Little Urbanites first opened back in 2007. She wrote the nicest yelp review for the store and I could tell then that she “got” what I was trying to do. I’ve followed her career ever since and I’ve always felt I “got” and admired the work she dedicates her time and passion to.
A bit about Marlynn:
After leaving the corporate world to launch Urban Bliss, her custom stationery and design studio, Marlynn searched for resources and support organizations that would help her connect with other women on business and family issues. Inspired by that search, Marlynn founded The Power MOB on Mother’s Day, 2006. The organization now has more than 200 members around the country. Marlynn currently has two children: Ethan, age six, and Cate, age three.
I had the chance to ask Marlynn a few questions about modern motherhood. I learn from everyone around me, and I think Marlynn has lot of knowledge to share!
What do you look forward to everyday?
Everything! I love waking up with an outline of the day in my head but knowing that it will take its own course, and every single day is just so lovely and interesting and FUN in its own crazy way!
What physical or personality traits do you see in your children that remind you of yourself?
My daughter is very much a go-against-the-grain kind of girl, which was and is still definitely me. When someone tells us we can’t or shouldn’t do something, it just makes us want to do it more, and all with a devilish grin. My son is very detail-driven, very visual, and very into creating food & art. I can relate to him a lot on those levels.
What’s one ecologically or socially responsible thing you do that can change the world?
Try. That’s the best I can do. Try to grow as much as I can in my own garden, try to buy local as much as possible, try to take my kids to the nearby farms once a week, try to recycle & reuse everything, try to only buy eco-friendly products. I try very hard, and I hope that even though I don’t do any of it 100%, just trying makes a little tiny difference.
What’s one way you find to spoil yourself?
I spoil myself by creating a lot of writing outlets that may not pay the bills but allow me to indulge in something that feeds my soul. Writing has always been my main passion since I was six years old, and something I would rather cherish and enjoy as a treat rather than make the focal point of business. It feels very rich & indulgent to give myself time to write.
What advice do you have for new parents?
Go with the flow. Embrace the chaos. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the messiness of parenting and laugh as much as possible. And never, ever think that you are a bad parent: you are the best parent in the world for your child.
One Comment
I love how, with a simple introduction and five questions, you’ve so accurately captured Marlynn’s joyful, creative and energetic spirit. What a remarkable woman!