Hello, wonderful Bump+Baby Matters community! It's Theresa here, and I'm thrilled to take you on a journey through the heart and soul of our company. Buckle up because it's been quite the ride, and I'm eager to share the passion that fuels every step of this incredible adventure.
A Mama to Four + an Adorable Pup!
Let's start with introductions –
I'm Theresa Moore, co-founder, and owner of Bump+Baby Matters. I wear many hats, including being a proud mama to four amazing kids, all grown now, with the youngest being 21 (he’s the little guy on the far right lol). Oh, and we can't forget Charlie, our adorable pup who steals the spotlight on our socials regularly!
My Story: From Dreams of Social Work to the Walmart Night Shift (for real!)
Let's rewind the clock to my 19-year-old self, dreaming of becoming a social worker while stocking Walmart shelves on the night shift. My heart was set on advocating for children and offering them a brighter future. But life had its twists, and during my practicum, I found myself unable to detach from the emotional toll. I made the tough decision to step away from my dream, leaving college and the social work path behind.
Determined to forge a new path, I made the switch from the grueling 11 pm to 7 am night shifts at Walmart (while juggling full-time school). However, when I decided to part ways with my academic pursuits, I shifted to daytime roles at Walmart. Despite exploring various positions, it became apparent that neither the paycheck nor the fulfillment I sought lay in that direction. An adventurous leap led me to the Calgary International Airport, where I kickstarted my journey in International Freight Forwarding, as a receptionist. In a male-dominated industry, I faced challenges head-on and swiftly climbed the corporate ladder, earning promotions along the way. The airport job marked a pivotal juncture, setting the stage for a series of surprises in my evolving story.
A Mother's Resilience
Shortly after securing my promotion, the whirlwind of motherhood struck, and I found myself expecting. Despite meticulous planning for my impending leave and a scheduled c-section, nothing quite prepared me for the arrival of my second son, a little bundle of energy who proved to be my delightful curveball. For context, my first son's arrival involved a marathon of 39 hours ending in an emergency c-section, an experience I was determined to avoid the second time around. So, I thought planning a c-section would give me the upper hand—knowing the birthdate, feeling prepared.
Little did I know, this little guy had his own agenda, landing in the NICU for an extended stay and requiring 24/7 oxygen for the initial six months of his life. This unforeseen challenge altered everything.
Returning to work when he was merely 3 months old became an unrealistic prospect, leading me to grapple with a new reality. Balancing the demands of my demanding job and the responsibilities of being a new mom involved sacrifices like bringing my son to work, juggling schedules to accommodate his needs, and facing the exhaustion that accompanied unreasonable demands. It was a challenging journey, but one that reinforced my commitment to success while navigating the trials of motherhood, a journey that many of the incredible women I now serve can deeply resonate with.
The sacrifices made in striving to be a successful woman in business and a good mother are woven into the fabric of my story, echoing the challenges faced by working parents striving to find that delicate balance between career aspirations and family life.
Discovering a New Calling in Financial Services
Meet Suzanne, a longtime colleague who, interestingly enough, I had worked for way back in my Walmart days. She had been hired while I was on my first maternity leave, and was now my trusted “right hand”. My tendency to transform colleagues into friends and business partners into lifelong connections is a defining trait of mine—deep-rooted relationships mean the world to me. Suzanne became the catalyst for a significant change when she introduced me to a financial services company dedicated to assisting families in saving for their children's future educational needs. Recognizing the alignment with my passion for children, love for educating, and what she perceived as my natural sales acumen, she saw an opportunity for a perfect fit. And, as it turns out, she was absolutely right! Just a month later, I bid farewell to the high-paying career that had once held immense value for me, making a bold move into the realm of self proprietorship. The sky was the limit and I was on my way to building my own business!
The "Aha!" Moment and the Beginning of Bump+Baby Matters
Embarking on my new career, I found myself surrounded by an incredible community of nurturing and supportive women—mothers who resonated with my passion for education and empowerment. This marked a dynamic shift for me, creating a space where I felt truly at home. Mentoring others and building a strong team became second nature, but it was the heartfelt connections with the families I served that sparked a profound revelation.
During countless evenings spent with parents, the conversations often deviating from saving for babies future educational needs. Those earnest conversations unveiled their fears and anxieties around baby safety —questions like "what if the baby chokes?" or "what if the baby isn't breathing during a feeding?" These concerns resonated deeply with me, and when I discovered the lack of accessible first aid/CPR training, I knew a change was needed.
Driven to make a difference, I took a leap of faith, hiring an instructor on my own dime to offer free classes. This free class was a genuine thank-you to all the parents that I served. The response was overwhelming, the first class filling up within 24 hours and growing rapidly across Alberta. My clients started texting me asking if they could bring the members in their baby group because they were so empowered with this life-saving training. This experience highlighted the critical need for affordable and accessible education for parents.
Eight years into my journey, working with an amazing team and families, I realized it was time to carve my path. Starting my own business was a daunting prospect, but my passion for connecting, educating, and empowering parents propelled me forward. Operating without a set plan, I faced the challenges of running a business head-on, realizing the critical importance of affordability and accessibility in education.
This journey led to incredible partnerships, starting with a local maternity boutique, and taught me the art of reciprocal giving in the small business world. Shortly thereafter, I identified an opportunity to collaborate with a US company offering free cardboard bassinets filled with baby essentials to Canadians, The Baby Box Co. Seizing the moment on a whim, I sent a DM on social proposing we include a free CPR and choking first aid class voucher in their boxes. The next week I met with their Founder, they said “absolutely yes let’s do it, AND will you lead our Canadian division?”. The world works in mysterious ways right?!
Balancing two roles, I spent three impactful years building my company alongside The Baby Box Co. Canada. Operating with minimal resources, this experience emphasized the profound impact of providing accessible education and resources to parents alike. It was transformative, truly life changing.
Coming Full Circle: With More to Come
In my nearly two-decade journey in sales, leadership, education, and entrepreneurship, a fundamental lesson has emerged – the paramount importance for families to have accessibility to education and resources. And the undisputable positive outcomes that result for families, but most importantly children, when families have that access and are truly supported in their parenting journey. Because you see, my desire to advocate for children never really left me all of those years ago. I believe that my calling is to support parents with the education, tools and resources that they need to make their parenting journey the best one that it possibly can be, so that their children have the safest future they possibly can.
This in stark contrast to the life that I had as a child, and while I’ll save that story for another day, know that I am deeply committed to giving everything I have to parents that I serve. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me better, I appreciate your time and I am so happy to have you in our community.
With heartfelt gratitude
Theresa x