I had the wonderful opportunity to not only meet and hang with Tubby Todd founderAndrea at an event awhile back but also get a one on one convo in all about motherhood, work and life. I still dont know how she does it all – with FOUR little ones – but she has so many wise things to say. It was an honor to have this convo with the amazing creator of the well known and successful line of family bath products and I am so excited to share the good stuff with you!
Tell us a bit about yourself! Where do you live, how many kids, etc?
I’m a mom of four little ones Jo (10), Walker (7), James (5) Andy (2) and co-founder of Tubby Todd Bath Co. I live in Carlsbad Ca, with my kids, husband BTW, and dog Pepper.
What inspired you to create Tubby Todd?
My husband and I have always wanted to work together, and we knew we wanted to make products for our little ones. We wanted to have safe skin care that really worked! We felt like all natural products were watery and not enjoyable to use.
How did you know it was time to take this side hustle into a (now very successful!) business?
When we were almost three years into the business we realized we could finally support our family on the income and decided to bring on a round of friends and family investors. It was a really scary jump but it was what ultimately led us to be able to continue to grow.
How do you “balance” work with mom life?
Hmmmmmmm I have some hard and fast rules I follow to try and maintain sanity in my life. I try to exercise 4x a week and try to read something spiritual every morning and every night. I also spend 1 night a week doing family council with our family and then I pretty much let everything else go. I eat candy and drink caffeine and take lots of naps. I go to bed with dishes in my sink a lot and I hardly ever make my bed. I KNOW… Might sound awful to some, but I feel like the fewer “little things” I can sweat helps me focus on the big stuff.
Do you have mom guilt? How do you manage it?
Yes! I am so good at worrying about all of the things I am not supposed to. I think having a baseline of things you will and won’t do as a mom helps guilt a lot. Both lists should be very short so it is clear when you have crossed the lines. Guilt has a lot to do with being curious about your thoughts. “Why do I feel guilty for going on a trip from my kids? Are they ok? Is this harming them? Do I like my reasons for the trip?” Asking yourself a lot of questions about guilt has helped me and usually leaves me not regretting my choices and feeling proud of how I show up as a mom.
When we were almost three years into the business we realized we could finally support our family on the income and decided to bring on a round of friends and family investors. It was a really scary jump but it was what ultimately led us to be able to continue to grow.
How do you “balance” work with mom life?
Hmmmmmmm I have some hard and fast rules I follow to try and maintain sanity in my life. I try to exercise 4x a week and try to read something spiritual every morning and every night. I also spend 1 night a week doing family council with our family and then I pretty much let everything else go. I eat candy and drink caffeine and take lots of naps. I go to bed with dishes in my sink a lot and I hardly ever make my bed. I KNOW… Might sound awful to some, but I feel like the fewer “little things” I can sweat helps me focus on the big stuff.
Do you have mom guilt? How do you manage it?
Yes! I am so good at worrying about all of the things I am not supposed to. I think having a baseline of things you will and won’t do as a mom helps guilt a lot. Both lists should be very short so it is clear when you have crossed the lines. Guilt has a lot to do with being curious about your thoughts. “Why do I feel guilty for going on a trip from my kids? Are they ok? Is this harming them? Do I like my reasons for the trip?” Asking yourself a lot of questions about guilt has helped me and usually leaves me not regretting my choices and feeling proud of how I show up as a mom.
Is it hard to ask for or accept support?
I am really very good at asking for help. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m the fourth child, or just bossy by nature, but I love to delegate.
How do you create boundaries for your family? How do you create boundaries for yourself?
How do you create boundaries for your family? How do you create boundaries for yourself?
Hmmm this is a hard one because my husband and I run a business together. One of the ways I don’t have to work 40+ hours during the weekdays is because he and I talk business at 2 am on a Wednesday or 3 pm on a Saturday. We are never not talking about our work and kids. Sometimes I need a break and I tell him but I think it is naive to think some boundaries of your personal life are going to be broken when starting and running your own business.
How have you adjusted to pandemic life and whats one silver lining you will take with you from this experience
I have loved being at home with my fourth baby this last year. It is something I will never forget and I think a lot of working parents have felt the same way.
Youre a busy mama to 4 kiddos! Whats your favorite way to fill up your cup?
Sometimes I let myself get realllllly into a show or a book or music and I will just binge on it for a few days. I will listen to it while I am driving and doing dishes and while I’m getting ready for the day. This happens every 4-5 months. It’s like a mini vacation from my family even though I never left. I used to feel guilty about this but then I decided I would just lean in for a few days and relax and I come out feeling SO happy on the other end.
How have you adjusted to pandemic life and whats one silver lining you will take with you from this experience
I have loved being at home with my fourth baby this last year. It is something I will never forget and I think a lot of working parents have felt the same way.
Youre a busy mama to 4 kiddos! Whats your favorite way to fill up your cup?
Sometimes I let myself get realllllly into a show or a book or music and I will just binge on it for a few days. I will listen to it while I am driving and doing dishes and while I’m getting ready for the day. This happens every 4-5 months. It’s like a mini vacation from my family even though I never left. I used to feel guilty about this but then I decided I would just lean in for a few days and relax and I come out feeling SO happy on the other end.
Your passion for creating safe and reliable products for us, while also mothering multiple children is such an inspo to us. You can feel the love behind every little detail, and even photo you share on the Gram. Whats your number one why for what you do?
We believe in family! And that every family deserves good, clean fun bodycare basics for their little ones.
Finally what is the best lesson you have learned or the best advice you have ever received as a mama?
Don’t wait for other people (your spouse, parents, friends, boss, etc) to help you create the life you want to have as a mom. Live everyday how you want! This has led me to really enjoy my kids and not be angry at everyone else around me for not helping me enjoy them.
Finally what is the best lesson you have learned or the best advice you have ever received as a mama?
Don’t wait for other people (your spouse, parents, friends, boss, etc) to help you create the life you want to have as a mom. Live everyday how you want! This has led me to really enjoy my kids and not be angry at everyone else around me for not helping me enjoy them.
Thank you for all your insight and mama love Andrea! We so appreciate you!
xx, Carly
