Rosie Pope recently launched her new book A Pea in the Pod in Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue. We had a chance to chat with her about the new book, motherhood, business and future projects (like new stores, more books and a new maternity collection). She’s as nice as she appears on TV and so down to earth it felt like I was chatting with my best girlfriend.
Name: Rosie Pope
Kids: James, Wellington and Vivienne
About Rosie: Rosie is a mom, wife, designer, educator, TV personality and all-around resource for women during their pregnancy and beyond. Her goal is to bring together the highest quality products, information and expert services to make each woman’s journey through pregnancy and motherhood the best it can be.
SMITC Interview with Rosie Pope:
What should women know about Mommy IQ and how is it different from other pregnancy guides?
Before Mommy IQ, pregnancy guides were divided into two parts. They were either pretty dry and scientifically based, or they were slapstick girlfriend guides. For me, you don’t have a lot to time to read so I wanted to write a book that was both. A book that was full of all the scientific facts you need as well as being a companion without being too slapstick about it. So moms get the 360 of pregnancy – support and guidance.
Don’t let Rosie fool you – Mommy IQ is really humorous, which makes it so fun to read. If you’re a fan of Pregnancy in Heels, you’ll love this book.
It can be difficult to get through an entire book but’s that’s important so they get all the information. It’s better to pack all that science with a little humor so you can actually get through it.
How long have you been working on the book? It includes almost everything an expectant mom needs to know and more.
In my mind I started working on it when I was first pregnant, but officially began at the beginning of my 3rd pregnancy about a year and half ago. It’s all up there and comes naturally.
You mention in the book that expectant moms should include an all-star “event planner” to the Who’s in Your tribe. Who’s the best candidate for this?
An all star event planner is a friend or family member that’s really good at planning and wants to help out. I think every pregnant mom deserves to have a baby shower but it’s very stressful to try and organize. We all have that friend that loves to plan and no one should ever have to plan their own baby shower.
Was there anything you wanted to include in the book but had to leave out?
I just started writing the second book about what you need to know the first year and it was hard not to include these topics. Part of pregnancy education should also include what to know once you have your baby. But I had to separate them into two books. It was hard not to include information on food, breastfeeding, sleep training, etc but that had to wait for book number two.
In your second book will you include information about pelvic floor health and tips on what to do after pregnancy? My never doctor discussed with me and now 3 years later I’m experiencing complications.
I think that’s an excellent idea. I had the same experience. I think there’s so many things that doctors don’t really mention and surprisingly neither do friends or family members.
Tell me more about the forward contributed by Dr Amos Grünebaum,Why have your doctor contribute to Mommy IQ?
I’m not a doctor and people will ask well, why are you an expert? I’m really honest about the fact that my expertise comes from being a mom and corralling who I consider to be the experts. I didn’t want to write a book pretending that I know all about the tests because I don’t. I like everyone else, need to get this information too. I wanted to be authentic about it and the information that wasn’t my own, I wanted people to know where I got it. I also feel really privileged to have access to these amazing doctors, nurses and doulas and not everyone has access to that. Even for me, I get embarrassed asking my doctor questions and wanted Dr. Grünebaum to be there and get all those questions out and provide the answers that moms really want to hear.
I just started reading Mommy IQ but so far my favorite has been Daron’s baby gender algorithm. How did he come up with this?
He really believes that he knows what he’s doing and that’s what I find fascinating. Ever since our first pregnancy he’s said I can totally tell and I think it’s totally impossible. Every time we have a friend get pregnant so far he’s been right. And he does this really annoying thing where he won’t weigh in until later on in the pregnancy. You’ll ask and he’ll say I can’t comment, I need more time.
How does this make the algorithm work and is Daron generally more passive or aggressive?
I’ve had three, he did get our daughter right but that’s a good point, I think he’s more passive so we should have 3 girls. It’s funny because he’s really passionate about it and came up with it during my first pregnancy after announcing he could tell the sex.
So did you eat spicy food with your boys? I did actually, buffalo spiced chicken. (Read Mommy IQ for more deets on Daron’s full proof baby gender algorithm).
What or who inspired you to open a maternity store and how did it evolve into providing pregnancy advice to moms? (Was I the only person that noticed the world of Maternity Concierge explode after Rosie appeared on Bethenny Getting Married?)
For us it all started together. I wanted it to be a one stop shop for pregnant women and that always meant providing the education as well. In our first store we would have small little classes with experts in the community and it was about me not knowing either and wanting to obtain answers. Very quickly people started asking more of us like – who’s a really good fitness trainer, who does baby food, etc and it started to snowball from there.
Do you have plans to open a Chicago store in the near future?
Yes – next year. I think in the city. I’m kind of obsessed with Chicago, I gotta tell ya. It’s awesome and I can’t figure out a good reason to move there per say at this moment but I would do it. It has every advantage of New York, but much more relaxed and more space.
What has been the biggest challenge balancing a business and motherhood?
I think giving enough time to both. You become a mother because that’s what you want to do and it’s really important to you. You have a business because you need to support your family. It becomes difficult to feel like you’re doing the best of both but one often needs the other.
photo credit: Bentley Waters
Do you think having your husband come on board helps balance work and family a little better or does it make things more complicated?
No, I think now he’s not at the whim of someone else’s schedule, he and I can work together to create a schedule that works for our family.
What do you love most about being an entrepreneur?
It’s exciting and I think everyday you have to learn a new skill so it certainly never gets boring.
What is your guilty pleasure when you get a little coveted ‘me’ time?
We were just talking about this recently. Ya know what, I ‘m really bad at it because it rarely happens but I go a little crazy when it does happen and I always end of ruining it. For example, I can order in and order whatever I want and it’s going to be crazy and then I have performance anxiety and end up eating really random stuff out of the cupboard. Then I end up sick from eating a thousand Goldfish. I don’t’ know, I’m not good at it at all.
What about the spa? You have to make time for yourself!( Is it obvious I am shocked Rosie doesn’t enjoy me time??)
You know what happens at the spa? I lie there if I ever get a massage, I freak out and get very anxious thinking of all the things I need to do as they come flooding into my head. It’s a terrible experience.
This is how I feel about yoga! Exactly, it’s the same problem.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you? Mmm, that’s a great question. I’m the world’s worst singer and I will never release an album.
It seems like you’ve done it all – motherhood, business, TV show, book! What future projects can we expect from you?
I would really like to reach as many people as possible so the next step for me is doing a maternity line at a more affordable price with most likely a major retailer.
We can’t wait to see the collection!
Sassy Facts about Rosie….
I never leave home without….. a kid
My biggest fashion influence is… That’s tricky because there’s so many! But i ‘d have to say Audrey Hepburn
My favorite place to shop in Chicago is… Macy’s on State Street (it’s amazing!)
My guilty pleasure is…… Large quantities of Diet Coke – addicted to it. I try to hide if from my kids.
My Must-Have beauty product is…. Dr Dennis Gross Daily Chemical Peel Pads – these are miracles!
Connect with Rosie on Mommy IQ, it’s makes a great shower gift.
