While “dumpster fire” might be the first thing to come to mind when describing 2020, we know we’re not the only ones who prefer to see the silver lining in an otherwise tumultuous year. That’s why we’re taking a glass-half-full approach and asking the stylish members of Fashion Mamas what they’ve been looking forward to most in this new year and beyond. (Full disclosure: The Cool Mom founder Lizzy Mathis is also a member!)
Here, creative mothers from the members-only group’s chapters around the world share their most-anticipated personal and professional projects, the getaways they’re planning to take, the everyday habits they’re adding to their self-care routines, and more of their 2021 resolutions. Read on to get inspired — we’ll be taking our own positivity-inducing notes, too!
Natalie Alcala, Fashion Mamas Founder & CEO
“I’m looking forward to working hard but playing harder. 2021 will be the year of FUN for Fashion Mamas, and I can’t wait to share more. 2020 made us all realize that life is too short to tip-toe around the world, so we’re ready to make BIG noise.” — Natalie Alcala, Fashion Mamas founder & CEO
Joey Ng, Vice President of Marketing at Output
“After a significant round of funding, I’m finally able to grow my team at Output two- to three-fold this year! I’m so excited to hire more unsung talent into the music tech industry especially womxn, BIPOC, and other folx who are traditionally underrepresented in the startup world.
On a personal note, I’d love to be able to bring my son back to Hong Kong once travel restrictions are lifted and it’s safe to fly long haul again. As a parent of a bi-racial child, I truly hope that my son feels grounded in his multi-cultural identity and rooted in his Chinese side as much as he is an American.” — Joey Ng, vice president of marketing at Output, Inc.
Naibe Reynoso-Hodsden, Con Todo Press CEO
“I am looking forward to a more firm commitment to my fitness goals. As a multi-tasking mama that has her own business, a teen daughter, and an 8-year-old son, time is not something I can easily find. The pandemic opened my eyes to the importance of taking care of my health. I heard so many stories in the news and have had family members in their 40s who were healthy but experienced scary days at the hospital after contracting COVID-19. You’d think, ‘They are healthy, relatively young, and they do moderate exercise, they’ll be fine.’
Fortunately, they all made it through, but it was a true wake-up call. It made me realize that fitness is not something to take lightly, but something we should prioritize. Fitness has always helped my mental focus and my ‘happiness’ level, but now more than ever I am also seeing it as a way to live a longer, healthier life. In our ‘old’ fast-paced world we were living in, we often ignored the few things that are truly important and that make us human, like just MOVING OUR BODIES.
Because of these reasons, I’ve started to and will continue to make a daily ‘appointment’ for my exercise time — whether it be a fun live Zoom class, a free at-home workout I find on YouTube, or just a good ol’ run around the neighborhood. This new commitment makes me happy, and regardless of fancy equipment, it’s something you can always do for free. As a mom, it also gives me extra ‘happy points’ knowing that I am being a better role model for my kids as well.” — Naibe Reynoso-Hodsden, Con Todo Press CEO
Julia Jovone, Emmy-Winning Makeup Artist & Reiki Master
“In 2021 I’m most looking forward to more love, more growth and creating more memorable moments with my family and close friends who feel like family. And building a stronger tribe with friends as well.” — Julia Jovone, Emmy award-winning makeup artist, Reiki master, and intuitive healer
Natalie Woo, Learning & Development Strategist and Illustrator
“I’m looking forward to my new career change at Google as a learning and development strategist while also celebrating cultural heritage through my personal passion for illustrating. I feel fortunate to have worked across different departments and roles at Google, including Staffing, Engineering, Marketing, and now in Learning and Development.
I also look forward to creating more artwork that celebrates diversity and the beauty of tradition and heritage, ranging from French cuisine to Chinese festivities. I live in a blended family of four (French, Chinese, African American) who inspire me to live with empathy and appreciate various perspectives.” — Natalie Woo, Learning and Development Strategist at Google and illustrator
Marissa Rascon, Video Director & Producer
“I have a fresh feeling of gratitude for 2021! I’m looking forward to making memories mask-free, vacation, and the production of my film about motherhood.” — Marissa Rascon, video director and producer
Heather Roma, the Westside Collective Founder
“What I’m looking forward to: Watching my baby girl grow (she’s 3 months now), moving back to Topanga Canyon, taking riding lessons, starting a small ranch in the desert (hopefully; we are in escrow on our first home purchase now) and learning about home renovations for both of our homes. It’s going to be another year of lots of changes for me and I’m so excited for it!” — Heather Roma, The Westside Collective founder
Sylvie Esmundo, Wellness Influencer & Facebook Site Merchandiser
“In 2021, I’m looking forward to lots of meaningful moments, less waste, more peace and hugs, and (eventually) all the physical community experiences with the people I love.” — Sylvie Esmundo, Site Merchandising at Facebook and wellness influencer
Sarah Foelske, Fine Artist & Illustrator
“Travel! I am hoping by next fall we can go somewhere far away from our home in Los Angeles (safely). We have been to Japan several times and lived there for three months and can’t wait until we can plan a trip back.” — Sarah Foelske, fine artist and illustrator of Make Nice
Tanya Thomas-Thorpe, Voice Actor
“I am most looking forward to showing up everyday in 2021 with vulnerability and leadership embedded in the rhythm of everything I do — starting off with putting myself out there by live-streaming my one-woman play, “Naturally Tan,” from The Whitefire Theatre as part of Solo Fest 2021.
The show is based on my cross cultural struggles with beauty and identity, while encountering a myriad of transformative experiences along the way. I hope in sharing my truth through story, the audience will be encouraged to share theirs however scary it is, and we’ll constantly be reminded that we are not navigating life alone.
I’m also looking forward to traveling to Singapore where I grew up! I haven’t been back in seven years and you have no idea how much I am craving Singapore foods like Poh Piah and Mee Siam!” — Tanya Thomas-Thorpe, voice actor
Ruby S. Nichols, The Almanaq Co-Founder
“Though 2020 was full of hardships, I’m encouraged by the shifts and progress I’ve seen in individuals waking up, stepping up, and taking real action to make true and necessary change in the world – whether it’s fighting for more justice, more peace, or more accountability from both the government and individuals. I look forward to seeing this continue and seeing what a difference we can make together.” — Ruby S. Nichols, The Almanaq co-founder
Chrystina Woody Train, Buckshot Marketing Founder
“I am most looking forward to brands putting performative diversity, equality, and inclusion programming to bed and actually going all in with Black communities, and using their resources, access, and influence for good.
Personally and professionally, I’m looking forward to continuing to grow Buckshot Marketing as we stay true to connecting brands with culture. And of course, raising my three sons!” — Chrystina Woody Train, Buckshot Marketing founder
Whitney Bickers, Myrtle Boutique Owner Designer
“I’m really looking forward to 2021 being a year of discovery! I don’t think I am meant to go back to the ‘normal’ of 2019 and don’t want to! — so this feels like a time to be open to possibility, whether it’s new work opportunities or a chance to finally explore somewhere
new again.” — Whitney Bickers, Myrtle boutique owner and designer
Trisha Vuong, Juicebox Media Founder
“In 2021, I’m looking forward to creating new video content with our amazing mom clients and sharing more of our homeschool journey on my new account @juiceboxhomeschool. Being a seven-year homeschooler, I’ve been asked so many questions, so I decided to share as much as I can in one place. I’m also looking forward to our kids diving into their newfound hobbies – Chess, tie-dying, and Chinese language classes!” — Trisha Vuong, Juicebox Media founder and video content creator
Lauren Urband, The Consultancy PR Founder
“2020 certainly tested all of us in ways that we never imagined. Although there was some good that came out of it and positive lessons learned, overall, 2020 was a year where I definitely formed a new appreciation for the little things — office chit-chat with my colleagues, casual meals with friends, travel (regardless of where) and, perhaps most of all, my son’s ability to see his friends at school and in social settings with no restrictions.
In 2021, once it is responsible and safe to do so, I’m looking forward to resuming some semblance of ‘normal’ life, although I think I will have a renewed appreciation for balancing family and social obligations in a way that perhaps I didn’t before. This past year has taught me to not take either for granted and to live life to the fullest!” — Lauren Urband, THE CONSULTANCY PR founder
Renée Loiz, Celebrity Makeup Artist and Color May Vary Founder
“I’m looking forward to growing my new business, Color May Vary and fingers crossed my fam and I will be able to travel back to Europe this year!” — Renée Loiz, celebrity makeup artist and Color May Vary founder