Co-founders Amri Kibbler and Katya Libin are lucky — lucky to have found each other and to have joined forces on Hey Mama, a site where mamas can collaborate and support each other in their work. Together, they get to scale this inspiring community as best friends and business partners.
Amri, a former fashion editor for Glamour and Cosmopolitan, and Katya, a former senior tech sales and marketing director, met on a play-date with their then three-month-old daughters in Brooklyn and instantly hit it off. As the story goes, they quit their jobs, started Hey Mama, and here we are. It wasn’t easy, of course — but we know that there is true strength in numbers. And Amri and Katya certainly know how meaningful and rewarding it is to pursue your creative passions when you’ve got a “tribe” of moms behind you. Here, this power duo shares their quick takes on juggling Hey Mama with kids, life, and everything in between. Keep reading.
Hey Mama has kept you both very busy since 2014. What has been the most rewarding part?
All the incredible women in our community!
You guys are in the business of connecting mamas. What does it mean — for you — to be a mom at this moment in time?
It means being able to wear all the hats all the time! Our tagline is the “juggle is real” and it certainly is!
Speaking of juggling, what keeps you motivated and balanced?
Sleep. Yoga every morning. And massages anytime we can get ‘em.
DRESS: TANYA TAYLOR
What’s your tried-and-true working-mom hack?
Wear a zip-up sweatshirt over your outfit until right before leaving the house to avoid spit up on your shirt.
How has motherhood influenced your personal style, if at all?
Everything has to be easy. Heels are not a part of my life anymore! I still love fashion, but I don’t put much thought into what I wear. I just go with what I like by instinct.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a new mom?
Appreciate every minute — even when you are so tired! You’ll soon long for those late-night cuddles while feeding.
Follow Katya, Amri and their company Hey Mama on Instagram for more inspiration.
We believe in women supporting other women and in this series, we focus on the exceptional women who represent innovation, risk-taking, leadership, and style. These women raise the bar for themselves and others, redefining motherhood for the better as they pursue their professional careers and personal projects. They are the Women of the Future.