This week’s Meet a Mom interview is with Kaylen Maduka of South Houston Moms! Mom to Ava (6), and Austin & Sophia (3), she joined The Local Moms Network (TLMN) team in April of this year. “We moved to the Pearland/South Houston area from the Rice Village/Medical Center area about three years ago when our family grew from three to five (literally overnight, when I found out I was pregnant with twins). I wanted to be in a more family-friendly neighborhood, but still in close proximity to the city and surrounding areas,” explains Kaylen. Here is some more about Kaylen, her experience joining our team, and her local area (including her favorite small businesses!).
Why did you join The Local Moms Network?
Funny Story: In the middle of the Houston freeze (2021), we were all bundled up, out in the driveway, running the heater in the car trying to keep warm. Without power, the inside of our house was in the 40’s! I was scrolling through my phone and came across TLMN and the need for a mom to run the site in South Houston. After looking into it, it fit my lifestyle so perfectly it was almost unbelievable. So to this day, I feel like the opportunity fell into my lap for a reason, and ever since about April 2021, I’ve been loving everything about it—especially the flexibility it allows and the platform to run my own business (again).
That’s awesome. What is your background and how will that help you in your role with TLMN?
Before kids, I spent a long while working in a non-profit helping families of organ donors meet and communicate with their loved ones recipients. It was an honor to work so closely with the most selfless people who chose to give during the most difficult day of their life. While I worked for that non-profit, I simultaneously ran an international travel business where I organized group trips to Trinidad & Tobago for the greatest show on earth, Carnival! My tours sold out every year and the memories are endless. So my role with TLMN is like the perfect combo of my background, it allows me to help local families and feed my entrepreneurial spirit all while being home with my family.
What is your best “working mom” tip?
To schedule family time, just like you would schedule a call or a meeting. Also, to get the family involved. For example, I published a popular Splash Pad Guide last summer and the kids got to try them all out and help me decide which ones made it into the guide!
What’s one thing most people don’t realize about your area?
The amount of family friendly things to do! Our local park and recreation centers always have really fun community events, activities and sports going on. The Brazoria County and Fort Bend County Library Systems are SO active and have excellent programming for all ages. We also have several outstanding farmers markets!
Anything else you’d like people in your area to know about your site?
Yes! I really want moms to know my site is an all-inclusive, come as you are safe place for all things local. I’m very real, not perfect and live in the chaos of motherhood, too. Also, every recommendation, service, event or product is curated before I even mention it! My ultimate hope and goal is to continue building a one-stop shop platform for moms in our area. I envision that every parent in our area thinks to pull out their phones and head to www.southhoustonmoms.com or to one of my social media pages when they have a question or are in need of some good mama content.
We love supporting local businesses. Can you please share your fave places in your area to:
Go to dinner as a family – Pappasitos Cantina – quesadillas for the kids, margs for mama and sizzling steak fajitas for my husband!
Go to brunch – Black Walnut Cafe
Have date night – Star Cinema Grill or Wine on the couch after bedtime
Have fun as a family outdoors – Sugar Land Town Square or any local park.
Workout (at least precovid!) – Anywhere I can ZUMBA or Socacize
Get your hair done – Planet Curls
Get your nails done – Legendary Nails & Spa
Go shopping (for kids, yourself and gifts) – I’m your typical Target and Old Navy mom, but I shop with various local vendors as often as I can.
Photos Courtesy: www.brandialiphotography.com