Building a Life, Not Just a Brand: Motherhood, Business and Holding It All Together

Tell us about your family. How many Kids?

Hubby Jez. Daughter Bowie Lotus, Son Ryder Taf and Daughter Tavi Green (dog Oakie)

Adjusting to motherhood..

In the beginning, when we first had Bowie, it was definitely the sleep deprivation.

The juggle… managing life, business, and a newborn on minimal sleep .. was unlike anything I had ever experienced.

It pushed me in ways I wasn’t prepared for and taught me a whole new level of resilience.

How do you manage the juggle?

I don’t do it all. But I do hold a lot. I stay organised. My calendar is everything. Some weeks the laundry backs up. Like today. Some days the house gets little mini power cleans instead of deep resets. I protect focus time for work and write a lot of lists. I take small breaks in the day when I need to recalibrate. I work 6–7 days most weeks. I also work from home, so I’m juggling the household and the kids things in between calls and meetings. My husband’s a plumber, his hours are flexible and he’s incredible. We make it work together.

The best thing about motherhood?

The unconditional love I have for them feels like the greatest gift I’ve ever been given. A love that’s deeper than words and bigger than me. The pure joy that comes from the smallest moments… the everyday stuff. And as they grow, watching them blossom into their own unique selves feels like witnessing little souls unfold… exactly as they were always meant to.

The biggest challenge?

My husband and I came from very different households, not better or worse, just different.

We’ve always wanted to create our own way of doing things, and that has been both beautiful and challenging. It’s required a lot of unlearning of patterns, roles, and beliefs we didn’t even realise we were carrying.

For me personally, it’s also been about unlearning the “peacekeeper” role and learning how to hold boundaries without feeling responsible for everyone else’s emotions.

The biggest surprise?

How differently I saw my Mum. I remember having Bowie and looking at Mumma with completely new eyes. I suddenly understood her in a deeper way, and she honestly felt like a sunshine warrior to me.

What do you wish you knew before becoming a mum?

I wish I had known about the grief that can come with motherhood. Maybe because I was so young, I didn’t even realise that could be part of the experience. Becoming a mother isn’t just adding a baby into your life, it’s becoming a completely new version of yourself. And I wish I had prepared myself for that transformation.

I can see now there was so much joy in that time, but there was also a quiet grief. Grief for who I was, and for who I thought I might be.

I grieved the freedom, the simplicity, and the identity I had built before motherhood. I grieved the ease of moving through life without being needed so constantly. No one really talked about how you can be deeply grateful and deeply overwhelmed at the same time. How you can love your baby more than anything in the world, and still miss parts of who you were.

Any advice to a new mum or soon-to-be-mum?

That it’s all seasons. Every tough chapter is a season. Every sleepless night is a season. The hard moments pass, even when they feel endless at the time. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Fill up your own cup so you can be there for your baby. Stay connected. Catch up with friends who are in the same season as you, who truly get it. And hold onto the friends who aren’t, because they remind you of other parts of yourself too.

Any advice to manage the day-to-day juggle?

Being organised, but also learning to go with the flow! I’m a calendar woman. My work and home life are intertwined, so if it’s not in the diary, it doesn’t exist. Having that structure takes so much mental load off and helps everything feel more manageable.

At the same time, I’ve learned to recognise when I need to go inward and pull back. I’m much more aware of my energy now, and I honour that.

Not every season requires pushing, sometimes the best thing you can do is soften and simplify. And as the kids have gotten older, we’ve been really intentional about teaching them independence. That shift has been huge. It not only prepares them for life, but it also eases the daily weight that can sit on me as the mother of the house.

How do you manage your time?

I work 7 days a week, which might sound intense, but it’s not a strict 9–5. It’s more like little pockets of production throughout the week. Super early weekend mornings, when the house is still asleep, are my best time to create. That way, Monday to Friday can feel more spacious and present for my wellbeing, the kids schedules and time with Jez.

Who is in your village?

You can’t leave home without:

1. An apple
2. Shemana Heart Spray
3. Maurie and Eve scrunchie
4. My phone
5. Haléau Highlighter

Your favourite holiday spot?

I’ve been lucky to travel to lots of overseas locations for work, but not as many purely for holidays. Honestly, my favourite holidays are still in Australia. There are so many incredible beach towns both north and south of where we live, and they always feel like the perfect reset.

Why do you love this place?

It’s close enough to feel easy, but different enough to feel like you’ve stepped away. Sun, salt water, slow mornings, and being in nature.

Your favourite brand and why?

Other than Maurie and Eve hehe!

Ones that feel intentional, not just aesthetic. Where you can feel the story behind it the heart behind it and the values woven through every touchpoint.

For me, it’s never just about the product. It’s about the energy, the integrity, and the deeper reason it exists.

The trend you’re loving right now

Relaxed tailoring. I love how fashion has shifted toward ease. It still feels elevated, but wearable. It’s like power dressing, but softened.

The trend you can’t get on board with

Any micro trends, in today out tomorrow … just doesn’t feel aligned.

What’s your latest brand discovery?

Deloris Studio

Where do you do most of your fashion shopping?

I’m very intentional about what I add to my wardrobe and tend to wear my pieces on repeat. Most of my wardrobe is Maurie and Eve, Nagnata, Innes Lauren swim, St Agni and Agolde denim.

A healthy lifestyle means…

Everything. Health has been such a big part of my life since I became a mother, so for the past 17 years it’s really been a lifestyle, not a phase. And it’s layered. It’s not just physical health. It’s energetic, mental, spiritual.

It’s how I nourish myself, how I think, how I move, how I rest, how I show up.

It’s embodying everything I’ve learned through each season of my life. The lessons, the challenges, the wisdom I’ve gained along the way. I’m always learning. Always refining. Health, for me, is an ongoing relationship with myself.

How do you keep your body moving?

I really do love being outdoors. Our dog, Oakie, gets me out walking most days!

The ocean has always been something I come back to, so swimming, beach walks, and yoga keep me connected and balanced.

And this past year, I’ve really been focusing on strength training. Building muscle, feeling strong in my body, and supporting myself long term. It’s less about aesthetics now and more about longevity and resilience.

Your top tips for living a healthy lifestyle?

• Consistency is everything.. small daily habits add up
• Prioritise mental and emotional health … therapy, self-awareness, and nervous system care
• Move your body daily … however that looks for you
• Get outside… fresh air, sunshine, and nature are medicine
• Get your bloods done.. don’t guess supplements, know what you actually need
• Boundaries are health … protect your energy with kindness and clarity

Do you have any non-negotiables?

Self-awareness. Being open to admitting my mistakes. Owning them. Learning from them. Growing through them. Because health and wellness aren’t about being perfect. They’re about being honest with yourself and continually choosing what truly supports you.. physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally.”

What does “balance” mean to you?

I don’t really believe in it, haha.

I’ve given up trying to find this perfect, equal version of balance. For me, it’s more about ebbs and flows. Some seasons are work-heavy. Some are family-focused. Some are about rest and going inward.

I’ve learned to move with those shifts instead of fighting them. And that, to me, feels much more natural … and something I actually love.

What led or inspired you to start Maurie and Eve?

I never planned to start a brand.

It began in a season of grief, where creativity became my outlet and curiosity led the way.

I started sewing pieces, simply creating what felt right, and people began to connect with what I was doing.

Can you share anything about what’s next for Maurie and Eve?

Maurie and Eve is always evolving, just like I am. What’s next feels deeply rooted in the spirit of the brand as it stands today … creativity, community and connection. And as we approach Spring, I’ll be hosting an intentional gathering to celebrate 25 years of Maurie and Eve.

What is the most challenging thing about having your own business?

Being the one who holds it all. The decisions. The finances. The moments of hesitation. Knowing when to push. Knowing when to let something pass.

There’s no one else to absorb it. At the end of the day, it leads back to me.

And some days that’s the challenge. It feels huge. All mine to carry.

What is the best thing about having your own business?

I truly love the creativity that Maurie and Eve is for me. I love the story that got me here. The legacy behind it. I get to carry that forward in my own way. I get to decide the pace. The direction. The standard. It’s mine to shape. Mine to grow.
Mine to rise to.And that feels like a privilege.

Click here to discover Maurie and Eve