• Spend $200+ and receive $50 OFF The Eyelet Oxford 2.0 Shop Now
  • Free shipping over $200. Easy returns, always.
  • Earn, redeem, and save with Poppy Perks Rewards. Join Now
 CAD
 

How Becoming a Mom Changed Me—and My Company

5-minute read

At the end of 2016 I’ve arrived at the same place as Kendall—focusing again on the long-term vision for Poppy Barley—but had a different journey to get there.
Last January, ten very long days overdue, I had my first baby, a beautiful boy we named Jude. In the weeks leading up to his birth I wondered how much like Sheryl Sandberg I would be; would I be checking my work email in the hospital, hours after giving birth? Or would having a baby make Poppy Barley seem unimportant and insignificant and make me not want to go back to work at all? I have always wanted to be a mother. So, when starting Poppy Barley, the implications for motherhood was something I thought about a lot. (In fact, you can read all about it in our series, "Moms Who Run Businesses".) The biggest thing you lose as an entrepreneur is the fabulous "year-off" we Canadians get to just focus on the baby. (This isn’t just entrepreneurs—most women in client-based businesses, like hairdressers and chiropractors, are in the same boat, as are single mothers and women who are the primary breadwinner in their household.) As entrepreneurs go, I was luckier than most because I have a co-founder (who can make decisions without me) and a great core Poppy Barley team. They gave me the gift of having weeks rather than days off. I was aware of, and am still grateful, for this gift. In the end, I checked my email a few days after I got home from the hospital and in the first 6 weeks rarely worked. What worked well during this time was Kendall coming over weekly to update me on the company and get my input on important decisions. She could cuddle Jude while I worked furiously on my laptop. (Babies are indiscriminate cuddle-monsters in the early days.) What did not work well is committing to attending anything. For example, for some reason, pre-baby, I thought it was a good idea to commit to modeling some of our shoes and outfits for a blogger five weeks postpartum. This was a bad idea on many fronts, but one mainly in that young babies have no schedule and many, like Jude, are bad sleepers. Every time I had to leave, I had just gotten him to sleep. I ended up cancelling a lot and came across (or maybe just was) flaky. When Jude was eight weeks I came back to work two afternoons a week. The first week back I was skipping to work I was so excited to have a place to go, people to talk to, and a reason to put on real pants. I missed the team and the business and it was an easy transition because I was still with Jude 95% of the week. (I also did another 10 hours per week during nap time once I was able to get Jude to sleep solo—before that I walked or held him for naps and watched a lot of HGTV and Hockey Wives.) When Jude was 3.5 months I started sharing a part-time nanny with Claire, power force behind Flatter:Me Belts, and her baby Pen. Our schedule was Monday to Thursday 9 am to 2 pm—good for breastfeeding and for spending some summer afternoons in the park. I kept working during most naps (instead of working out, sleeping or cleaning) and did start to feel that common working mom feeling of feeling stretched and thus somewhat inadequate in every area. I couldn’t devote myself to Poppy Barley like I used to, but I also missed a lot of time with Jude. And working out and seeing friends took a backseat to both. In September, at 7.5 months, Jude started daycare and I went back to work full-time, though I work 9 am to 3 pm and again most evenings so I can be with him for the long afternoon stretch. (An upside to owning your own business is the ability to create your schedule—for life.) For the most part, this works well and when I start to feel out of balance I adjust. img_3935 For me, the upside of this year has been two fold. First of all, I am really happy—happier than before Jude, albeit busier. I love being a mom and I love being a mother who works outside of the home. It was also a great year for Poppy Barley and I think we learned some good lessons. Sometimes when you can’t work harder, you have to work smarter. This means figuring out what you need to do and what is a great development opportunity for an employee. It means asking yourself "What would this look like if it was easy?", focusing on what matters the most, and then nailing the execution. At the close of 2016 I am grateful for my Jude baby and my Poppy Barley baby (and our team has many things they're grateful for, too) and I'm excited to see how 2017 unfolds for both.

Older Post Newer Post

All Day Comfort

Feel-good footwear in medium and wide widths.

Reformed Pricing

We skip the luxury markups to offer fair prices on high-quality products.

Responsibly Made

Ethically made in audited factories with planet-conscious materials.

Subscribe for early access to new releases and $25 off your first purchase.

The Harley Heeled Sandal Ankle Size Guide

How To Measure:
The Harley Heeled Sandal: Take a tape measure and wrap it around your foot, right below your ankle bone as that is where the strap will sit (see product imagery and fit video for a visual demonstration). This measurement is based on the last adjustment point on the strap.

Size Strap length will accommodate an ankle measurement up to the size below
5 26 cm
5.5 26.5 cm
6 27 cm
6.5 27 cm
7 27.5 cm
7.5 27.5 cm
8 28 cm
8.5 28 cm
9 28 cm
9.5 28.5 cm
10 28.5 cm
10.5 29 cm
11 29 cm
11.5 30 cm
12 30 cm

The Esther Heeled Sandal Ankle Size Guide

How to Measure:
The Esther Heeled Sandal: take a tape measure and wrap it around your ankle, above the ankle bone, as that is where the strap will sit (see product imagery and fit video for a visual demonstration). This measurement is based on the last adjustment point on the strap.

Size Strap length will accommodate an ankle measurement up to the size below
5 23 cm
5.5 23 cm
6 23 cm
6.5 23 cm
7 24 cm
7.5 24 cm
8 24.5 cm
8.5 24.5 cm
9 24.5 cm
9.5 25 cm
10 25 cm
10.5 25.5 cm
11 26 cm
11.5 26 cm
12 26 cm

Belt Sizes

Natural Waist Measurement Typical Jean Size Belt Size for High‑rise Pant Belt Size for Mid‑rise Pant Infinite Belt Size
23-25" 23/24 26" 28" 1
25-26" 25 28" 30" 1
26-27" 26 30" 32" 1
27-28" 27 30" 32" 1
28-29" 28 32" 34" 2
29-30" 29 32" 34" 2
30-31" 30 34" 36" 2
31-32" 31 34" 36" 2
32-33" 32 36" 38" 3
33-34" 33 36" 38" 3
34-35" 34 38” 40" 3
36-37" 36 38" 40" 3
38-39" 38 40" 42" 4
40-41" 40 40" 42" 4
42-43" 42 44" 46" 4
43-44" 43 44" 46" 5
44-45" 44 46" - 5

Sizing Note: For the most accurate fit, measure around your body where you plan to wear the belt. Choose the closest belt size to that measurement.

Belt Diagram Accent Belt and Complement BeltThe Accent Belt, The Polished Belt and The Complement Belt size measurements start from the beginning of the leather to the middle hole.

Belt Diagram Infinite BeltThe Infinite Belt size measurements cover the entire length of the leather.



Belt Measuring Guide

Belt Measuring Guide

A - High-rise style:

If you plan to wear your belt around your natural waistline, wrap a measuring tape around the narrowest part of your midsection. Then, add 3” to determine your high-rise belt size.

B - Mid-rise style:

If you plan to wear your belt lower than your natural waistline, you will require a dierent size. If you have a particular pair of bottoms you intend to wear your belt with, wrap a measuring tape through the belt loops while in a relaxed position.

When wearing your belt in your preferred style, it should fasten in the middle hole. The belt will relax with wear allowing you to cinch it tighter, as needed.

If you plan to wear the belt in both the high and mid-rise styles, you have two options:

  1. Select your high-rise style and fasten it more loosely when worn in the mid-rise style.
  2. Select your mid-rise style and fasten it more tightly when worn in the high-rise style.