Our new Stick Of The Week! is Rebecca Lazaroff and belle&beanzer. Rebecca is in the NOW as founder, designer and CEO of belle&beanzer, a line of baby clothes that strengthen the connection between parent and child through smart design. belle&beanzer invites parents the opportunity to embrace the moment with their baby.
"My business, like my life, values Integrity. Intention. Inspiration…in all we do. From the consultants and vendors that I partner with, the color and artwork selection, to the relationship with our customers. There isn't a single part of the business that isn't guided by these values."
Rebecca Lazaroff
Rebecca Lazaroff is a mom, a wife, an artist and an entrepreneur. She loves laughing, playing, dreaming, adventuring, creating, art, cooking and learning.
Jonah
Tell us about your NOW (Noodle On the Wall)
My dish begins after I had my second baby, Jonah. I was rushing through his diaper change, thinking about what I had to do next, half listening to my daughter, Ava and just trying to get through it. As a friend recently shared of his experience as a father, it had become transactional.
I looked at my son as he looked straight back at me and thought, "Look at this little guy just literally putting himself into my hands." Then I realized how I was holding his body. In that moment, I understood that this shouldn't be a transaction, but instead, a time of connection. In this simple interaction, I was teaching care, I was nurturing and I was connecting with touch. It was a profound moment for me and became the backbone of the whole belle&beanzer line and business. I believe that dressing your child is an intimate and nurturing time of connection. The belle&beanzer line supports and reflects that point-of-view.
My dish begins after I had my second baby, Jonah. I was rushing through his diaper change, thinking about what I had to do next, half listening to my daughter, Ava and just trying to get through it. As a friend recently shared of his experience as a father, it had become transactional.
I looked at my son as he looked straight back at me and thought, "Look at this little guy just literally putting himself into my hands." Then I realized how I was holding his body. In that moment, I understood that this shouldn't be a transaction, but instead, a time of connection. In this simple interaction, I was teaching care, I was nurturing and I was connecting with touch. It was a profound moment for me and became the backbone of the whole belle&beanzer line and business. I believe that dressing your child is an intimate and nurturing time of connection. The belle&beanzer line supports and reflects that point-of-view.
prototyping
I've been an artist and designer in childrenswear for a long time now. So, I started sketching. Each essential garment has been modified for ease, and designed to enhance touch, connection and encourage you to embrace the moment with your child.
Color Combos
Our clothing is made of the softest cotton, attention to quality construction, thoughtful design details, inspiring color palette and all the artwork is hand-done by me.
For parents, you will see right away how each piece is thought out to make every day care taking easier. It will encourage you to make eye contact, touch and be in the moment with your baby. It's also great for grandparents! With our attention to smart design and streamlined construction, there are few to no snaps, zippers and buttons. Along with the gift of time to connect with your baby, it's a gift you can feel really good about giving to friends and family. We are launching for this holiday season!
For parents, you will see right away how each piece is thought out to make every day care taking easier. It will encourage you to make eye contact, touch and be in the moment with your baby. It's also great for grandparents! With our attention to smart design and streamlined construction, there are few to no snaps, zippers and buttons. Along with the gift of time to connect with your baby, it's a gift you can feel really good about giving to friends and family. We are launching for this holiday season!
Is your NOW simmering, al dente or fully cooked and why?
I'm going to say all al dente. Isn't that the perfect pasta?! The business is really almost ready for launch, but I tend to approach everything with a balance of a plan and an open mind. It's hard to move forward unless you know where you want to go, but it's hard to enjoy the adventure as a whole if you're not open to unexpected twists and turns. I have a clear idea of where I want this line to go and I'm very excited for the conversation to begin with our customers! Who knows where this will take me and the business!
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
There is no one amazing recipe. There are helpful recipes, but the only way to make it amazing, is to add your own surprises, spices and ingredients. This is what makes it unique and authentically your recipe. I also think that once you let go of the notion of "how" it's done, you can really let it be what it is. This is coming from me, the researching queen, mind you. It's taken me a lot of life lessons to understand that this will only take you so far. So, go ahead and read the cook books. But also know that if you want to take out the basil and add crushed red pepper instead, that's OK too. It is what people are ultimately going to connect with and associate as your brand.
The other thing is to just keep going. The store may be out of the noodles you thought you wanted, or you expected them to be cooked by now. Maybe when you tested one it burned your lip, or perhaps, some sauce splattered on your wall and you've got a mess to clean up. All okay and all part of the process! The proof of the perfect dish is not about IF these mishaps, hurdles and obstacles happen or not. It WILL happen. The proof of the perfect dish is how you respond, how you improvise, how you use your innate creativity to invent new way to serve up this dish.
I'm going to say all al dente. Isn't that the perfect pasta?! The business is really almost ready for launch, but I tend to approach everything with a balance of a plan and an open mind. It's hard to move forward unless you know where you want to go, but it's hard to enjoy the adventure as a whole if you're not open to unexpected twists and turns. I have a clear idea of where I want this line to go and I'm very excited for the conversation to begin with our customers! Who knows where this will take me and the business!
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
There is no one amazing recipe. There are helpful recipes, but the only way to make it amazing, is to add your own surprises, spices and ingredients. This is what makes it unique and authentically your recipe. I also think that once you let go of the notion of "how" it's done, you can really let it be what it is. This is coming from me, the researching queen, mind you. It's taken me a lot of life lessons to understand that this will only take you so far. So, go ahead and read the cook books. But also know that if you want to take out the basil and add crushed red pepper instead, that's OK too. It is what people are ultimately going to connect with and associate as your brand.
The other thing is to just keep going. The store may be out of the noodles you thought you wanted, or you expected them to be cooked by now. Maybe when you tested one it burned your lip, or perhaps, some sauce splattered on your wall and you've got a mess to clean up. All okay and all part of the process! The proof of the perfect dish is not about IF these mishaps, hurdles and obstacles happen or not. It WILL happen. The proof of the perfect dish is how you respond, how you improvise, how you use your innate creativity to invent new way to serve up this dish.
The Lazaroff Family
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
A couple of things.......
First, absolutely my children. I'm not the first parent to have said it, but it rings true for me. My children are my inspiration. Very specifically, it was that moment I described with my son while my daughter was at my hip.
Second, being one unhappy woman commuting several hours a day to work, just knowing something was broken in their business model. I heard several times about how my being a mom was more like a handicap than one of my best strengths at work.....and I was IN the childrenswear industry! I have gotten more done in my business and in my life since I let go and let this be. I am infinitely happier, more satisfied and my husband and children are as well.
The whole family is basically a part of this. My husband, Andrew, is my biggest cheerleader, unofficially my official business consultant and overall sounding board. He is always ready with advice or strategy and 100% believes in me and the business.
A couple of things.......
First, absolutely my children. I'm not the first parent to have said it, but it rings true for me. My children are my inspiration. Very specifically, it was that moment I described with my son while my daughter was at my hip.
Second, being one unhappy woman commuting several hours a day to work, just knowing something was broken in their business model. I heard several times about how my being a mom was more like a handicap than one of my best strengths at work.....and I was IN the childrenswear industry! I have gotten more done in my business and in my life since I let go and let this be. I am infinitely happier, more satisfied and my husband and children are as well.
The whole family is basically a part of this. My husband, Andrew, is my biggest cheerleader, unofficially my official business consultant and overall sounding board. He is always ready with advice or strategy and 100% believes in me and the business.
Ava
My daughter has her own desk and office space set up along side of me and both of my children are witnesses to the entrepreneurial process. Even our dog Maddie is part of this. As our CSO, Chief Snoring Officer, she sits (sleeps) by my side every day and keeps me company.
Maddie
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
Connection with people and the world, unruly creativity, raw vulnerable honesty that your children give to you every day, love, pure joy, snuggles, travel, laughing with my loved ones, finding beauty as much and as often as I can and embracing the moment.
How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
I start out with a plan, always. I'm clear on my priorities with my life, and what is most important to me is built into every day. It doesn't mean I spend the most amount of time on it, it means that it's got time allotted to it FIRST. You've heard the saying: rocks, pebbles, sand, water... My rocks, my big important pieces land first. For me, it's my family. I have a three month plan, then I break it down monthly, and then weekly. Every friday as I end the week, I map out the following week based on my ideal schedule. Come Monday morning, I don't have to think about it, it's all there. From there, I stay flexible to changes. Life is constantly moving, so I go with it. It's not always easy and I get frustrated and stressed like everyone else. I just try to maintain clarity to see where I need to be and what I'm doing. Sometimes that means taking a break and doing something that is just for fun. It's important to have that balance. It's way too easy to fill every minute with your launching business. Also, the concept was recently introduced to me that much like we might create a contingency budget, we can do that with time as well. So, I give myself contingency time each week as well. It's there if I need it and helps me keep my flexibility.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
My ultimate pasta dish fills my home with a familiar, comforting aroma. As I get closer, I notice something unexpected and extra delicious. I'm intrigued. What could it be? It's a quirky surprise that I adore combined with everything I've always loved. It heightens my anticipation as I set the table, looking forward to a meal I know I'll love but created with the spontaneity, newness and inspiration of a moment. It's just enough, never too much, shared with family, friends and loved ones. Best of all, it can be served up again and again. Each time with it's own special twist!
Connection with people and the world, unruly creativity, raw vulnerable honesty that your children give to you every day, love, pure joy, snuggles, travel, laughing with my loved ones, finding beauty as much and as often as I can and embracing the moment.
How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
I start out with a plan, always. I'm clear on my priorities with my life, and what is most important to me is built into every day. It doesn't mean I spend the most amount of time on it, it means that it's got time allotted to it FIRST. You've heard the saying: rocks, pebbles, sand, water... My rocks, my big important pieces land first. For me, it's my family. I have a three month plan, then I break it down monthly, and then weekly. Every friday as I end the week, I map out the following week based on my ideal schedule. Come Monday morning, I don't have to think about it, it's all there. From there, I stay flexible to changes. Life is constantly moving, so I go with it. It's not always easy and I get frustrated and stressed like everyone else. I just try to maintain clarity to see where I need to be and what I'm doing. Sometimes that means taking a break and doing something that is just for fun. It's important to have that balance. It's way too easy to fill every minute with your launching business. Also, the concept was recently introduced to me that much like we might create a contingency budget, we can do that with time as well. So, I give myself contingency time each week as well. It's there if I need it and helps me keep my flexibility.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
My ultimate pasta dish fills my home with a familiar, comforting aroma. As I get closer, I notice something unexpected and extra delicious. I'm intrigued. What could it be? It's a quirky surprise that I adore combined with everything I've always loved. It heightens my anticipation as I set the table, looking forward to a meal I know I'll love but created with the spontaneity, newness and inspiration of a moment. It's just enough, never too much, shared with family, friends and loved ones. Best of all, it can be served up again and again. Each time with it's own special twist!
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