1. What inspired you to start The Baby Box Co.?

Becoming a mother – the sleepless nights, the worries, but also the joy – is what inspired me to find a way to dedicate my days to helping other moms. Beyond that, my partner Jennifer Clary and I were inspired by the 75-year-old Finnish “Baby Box” tradition that is credited with saving thousands of Finnish babies from SIDS and other sleep-related deaths over the years. Each box is filled with new mom must-haves (burp cloths, onesies, bibs, etc.), and the box itself is lined with a fitted mattress, making it the perfect safe spot for babies to safely sleep or relax. To me, this tradition is such a beautiful way to welcome new babies to the world and keep them safe.

2. What are the main goals The Baby Box Co. hopes to achieve?

Our primary goal is to get our Baby Boxes to as many mothers as possible, providing infants with the safest start possible. We work with hospitals, governments, non-profits, and insurance agencies across the US and abroad to help extend our reach to make this happen.  

3. How has being a mother influenced your goals for the Baby Box?

Well, becoming a mother was what compelled me to start The Baby Box Co. in the first place! Becoming a parent opened my eyes to what a vulnerable time period this transition to parenthood is — your entire world changes! It's magical, but at the same time, it's hard not to feel overwhelmed. I love how Baby Boxes provide new parents with support and help simplify the whole process.   

4. What was your process like for starting the company?

When Jennifer and I first started talking about bringing the Finnish Baby Box concept to the rest of the world, there was no looking back. It was a passion project from the start. I remembered how vulnerable and overwhelmed I felt after the birth of my first daughter, and how desperate I was to do the right thing and keep her safe. I feel so lucky to wake up every day knowing that I am helping new parents keep their babies safe, healthy, and happy.

5. Can you explain the Baby Box University program and how it got started?

Parent education is a huge part of our mission and, to that end, we have developed an online educational program for all Baby Box users called Baby Box University. Members can view hundreds of short, easy-to-digest videos from experts covering topics ranging from fertility all the way through the first few years of their child's life. Experts to date include pediatricians, lactation experts, nutritionists, research scientists, and more. Our goal is to make Baby Box University a comprehensive learning community for parents to learn about fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and early childhood development.

6. What is the best part of founding your own company?

I've had plenty of “meh” jobs over the years where I didn't feel a real connection to the company or feel very inspired by the work. But by founding my own company, I get to spend my days working to impact the world in a way that is deeply meaningful to me.

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