Chic Mom Spotlight: Mandy Moise

August is upon us and we’re shining our sassy spotlight on Mandy Moise, Designer and Founder of vfish designs. I recently met Mandy and after a marathon phone conversation, I was blown away by her accomplishments as an mom entrepreneur. I fell in lust over her chic dresses that she designs, imports and sells in over 500 boutiques nationwide. When we finally met in person, I knew immediately Mandy was a Sassy Mom! (She is chic, intelligent and in-the-know. The kind of woman who embraces, admires, respects and opens her heart to other moms. But above all, she is surviving motherhood with sophistication and style – occasionally in stilettos!)

Name: Mandy Moise

Children:Ellie (2) & Sloane (6mos)

Occupation: Owner/Designer  of vfish designs – a women’s contemporary clothing and accessory company. Founder various children’s accessories brands such as Milly and Max, Cutie Pie Kids and Kid Creations.

A little about Mandy:
Mandy started her career as a physical education and health teacher in the NYC public school system. When she teamed up with her husband Tal, an entrepreneur, she caught the “bug” and decided she wanted to create a business for herself. Over the past 4 years, she launched vfish- a brand that is now sold in over 500 boutiques nationwide. She invented and developed a maternity product called “Razor Reach” – which she sold on QVC, and was also sold in Bed Bath and Beyond.  After the kids arrived, she decided to get into the children’s business – and now sells her children’s collections on Zulily, Totsy, Hautelook and Ideeli.com. Her newest venture, Milly and Max- an in home party based sales company- will launch in September.

SMITC Interview with Mandy:

1. What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
I am a craft-a-holic.  I stalk pinterest.com and try and knock off other people’s fabulous craft projects in my spare time.

2. What is your secret to staying Sassy?
I do NOT take myself seriously at all. I work in fashion, but i do not get wrapped up in it at all. Also,  I try and dress up in one of my dresses with a pair of fab heels at least once a week and go out and do something swanky.

3. What would we be surprised to find in your purse?
I’m surprised at most of the things I find in my OWN purse! (Fruit snacks attached to quarters and such…)

4. What’s your favorite place to shop in the city?
I love shopping all the local shops on Armitage Avenue.

5. What’s the most exotic destination you have traveled with your children?
I have traveled extensively through China, India, Sri Lanka, Columbia, Spain, and Malaysia with my girls.  Its crazy , because in most of those places, my girls were the first western babies the people had ever seen in person. They are celebs when they travel!!  In India we had groups of 40-50 people following us around, taking pictures. Maybe they thought I was Angelina??? Ha!

6. What is your guilty pleasure when you get a little coveted ‘me’ time?
I love exercising at the Charlaine Harris.

7. What are your 3 tips for mompreneurs trying to balance their business and family?

• Your kids are always your #1 priority, so dont be afraid to put a hold on anything you’re doing- at any time.
• Don’t let the stress get the best of you, or compromise your ability to enjoy your family. If you’re too stressed to enjoy them fully, re-evaluate what you’re doing.
• Make friends with other moms like you. They will be a great support to you and you will take comfort in the fact that someone else has as crazy and as fantastic of a life as you!

Don’t miss Mandy on August 17th as our special guest at the RSVP today!