Lauren Kutting | Tote Savvy Founder On Working Family Into Entrepreneurship
by Neha Ruch
Somewhere in the rabbit hole of Pinterest in Bodie’s first year, I discovered ToteSavvy. It was among the moments when I realized that motherhood spawned genius entrepreneurs. More recently, I’ve gotten to know Lauren Kutting, ToteSavvy’s founder, and her choices along the way to build a company that was a clear solve for a community she understands, and build it on her own terms, so she had the room to be present with her three kids. Lauren shares her perspective on her growth in the last four years, how her self-care is hand in hand with her family and letting go of perfection.
How did you change after becoming a mother?
Motherhood taught me to roll with the punches instead of stressing over what I can’t control. Prior to becoming a parent, it was difficult for me to adapt when something I planned went awry. After I had my first child I was forced to go with the flow or be in a perpetual state of stress.
It was really a blessing in disguise because I’ve learned how to prioritize what really matters, in both my personal and professional life, as well as, expect deviation from the plan. Now with 6 years of practice under my belt, I’m quick to find a solution rather than dwell on what’s going wrong. It’s so interesting how becoming a mother has actually changed me for the better.
What choices did you make to accommodate motherhood?
I found a way to work motherhood into the life I had already built.
I knew it wouldn’t be easy to start a business with a 4-month old but building a company from the ground up was something I had always dreamed of and worked towards. The timing wasn’t ideal with a small infant but I knew if I somehow found a way to make it work, it would be a decision I’d never regret.
Describe yourself as a mother in 3 words. What kind of mother would you like to be?
Passionate. Creative. Loving.
This was a hard question to answer. Most mothers are their own worst critic and I’m no exception. The words I thought of first were mainly negative. I think it goes to show just how much pressure we put on ourselves to be perfect. I would love to be the kind of mother who recognizes just how wonderful she really is and doesn’t question it. Of course, I’ll make mistakes, but I don’t want to dwell on them. I want to always look forward.
How do you take care of yourself outside of motherhood?
To me self care is about doing things that make you happy, which often does involve being a mother. I regularly plan time with family and close friends. I’m very lucky to live close to my family and a community of moms who share similar interests. We plan regular playdates, mom’s nights, and other fun activities on a weekly basis. It’s very therapeutic to share stories and commiserate with each other as we all face similar challenges. Whether it’s a personal or professional challenge, having that sounding board comprised of close friends is priceless.
What does your village look like?
My husband and I share our parenting responsibilities equally which is a tremendous help when juggling so much on a daily basis. We split school drop-offs, pick-ups, and sick days. When my workload gets too heavy, he’s always there to pick up the extra slack and vice versa.
I also live close to my family which has played a crucial role in helping me build a business while raising my kids. My mom watches my youngest two twice a week and then fills in when needed. She’s been one of my biggest supporters from the start, always jumping in to help when she can see I’ve overcommitted myself.
What are you working on improving about yourself as a mother & a woman?
I’d love to be more patient with myself and my kids. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget just how little and new to the world they actually are. I tend to expect a lot from my kids (and myself) so recognizing that we’re all doing the best we can is something I’m continuously working towards.
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