Meet a Mom: Meet Elise Casey! | The Monmouth Moms

  Meet Elise Casey! Elise lives in Aberdeen with her adorable daughter, Kate (GREAT name!), and her husband. This hard-working mama not only has a full-time gig in Manhattan, but she’s also the owner of The Weekend Society, a new company home to quality handmade girls accessories! Read more about Elise in our interview, including all she loves about living with a family in Monmouth County.

 

 

Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?

 

 

I grew up in Rumson, New Jersey.  My husband and I moved from Middletown to Aberdeen after we got married a little over 4 years ago.

 

Child(ren) and Age(s)?

 

 

I have one daughter, her name is Kathleen! Kate Casey will be 2 in July.

 

 

One thing people would be surprised to know about you…

 

 

Taking pictures of our family is my life, but I maybe only have a total of 3 pictures actually hanging up around the house!   After this interview, I’m going straight to the CVS Photo Kiosk LOL

 

 

 

Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?

 

 

From the instant Kate arrived, my husband Matt has been my rock. I remember sitting in the hospital after she was born, having just gotten out of the OR and looking up at him holding this tiny little brand new baby looking the most confident I had ever seen him.  Like he knew exactly what he was doing, like he had waited his whole life for this.

 

I work days, he works nights, and most days we are high-fiving each other out the door, passing Kate from one to the other as one of us returns home and the other is leaving. So as far as managing the day-to-day chaos, parenthood, and trying to find time for one another has been a whirlwind, but teamwork has been our key to making it all work.

 

And of course Kate’s grandparents – Each and every one of them go out of their way to make things easier for us, always.  I’m not actually sure where we would be without them and are so incredibly grateful for all of their support.

 

Favorite things to do with your kids?

 

 

I know the bath, books and bedtime daily routine might seem a little mundane, but it is my favorite part of the day.  Our lives seem to be going at full-speed at all times and we are constantly racing here and racing there, and this person has a doctor’s appointment and so and so has a meeting, but this is one time of day that we can pause the chaos.  Hopping into bed at the end of the day and reading books until bedtime, brings me a much-needed sense of calmness.   I am very grateful for this time with her.

 

 

Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!

Yes!  I started my own company back in October of last year called, The Weekend Society. In the fall, I began to make all of Kate’s hair bows which in turn lead others to want them for their little babes, so I started selling them!  Nylon hairbow headbands have become one of the most popular accessories for baby girls, and I loved the thought of creating my own patterns and designs.

 

In just a short couple weeks, this hobby turned into an LLC, the establishment of an e-commerce platform for an online store, doing our first pop-up-shop, and being picked by stores both local and around the country!  I had to very quickly figure out production, inventory, shipping, wholesale, branding, marketing and creating and maintaining a social media presence, but this whole journey has been so exciting !

 

We launch monthly themed Collections particularly focused on the events and/or Holidays of the season.  With the help of my Mom and my Sister, we have been able to plan and implement multiple growth strategies and reach different target markets by adding Bow Ties, Dog Bandanas and women’s Hair Accessories.

 

On the weekdays, I work in Manhattan, New York in the midst of the corporate world as a Financial Systems Analyst.  Luckily, I am able to work from home a couple days of the week. Which thankfully offers me the flexibility to be home with Kate, take her to Mommy & Me classes, and manage the usual day-to-day tasks. Juggling a full time job, a one year old, and starting a business from scratch has been quite a trip, I owe it all to coffee and capitalizing on her nap time !

 

 

How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?

 

 

I am also a member of the Monmouth County Historical Association, which has been such an invaluable resource for me.  Becoming a part of this organization has helped me to strengthen my personal identity by recognizing and fueling a passion for appreciating History.  It has been very empowering to be a part of a group that is bigger than our immediate, day-to-day life. Celebrating their 120th year this year, MCHA has given me the opportunity to meet some wonderful people while keeping me socially engaged alongside others that share the desire to learn about all things Historic!

 

What is your favorite restaurant in Monmouth County?

 

 

There is just no way to pick one – but here are some of my favorite go-to’s

For Sunday Brunch → The Rum Runner (Sea Bright)

For a garnished Cocktail → Russell & Bette’s (Rumson)

For Classic American with Historic Charm → Old Glory Kitchen + Spirits (Keyport)

For summertime Live Music → The Beachwalk (Sea Bright), Proving Ground (Highlands) & Donovan’s Reef (Sea Bright)

For a Date Night – Stella Marina (Asbury Park)

 

What is your favorite activity to do with your daughter in Monmouth County?

 

 

We LIVE for the weekends, hence The Weekend Society.  Getting out, planning activities and spending time as a family is something we make a priority.  Local activities, concerts, markets, festivals, etc. are always something I have on our calendar.

 

We also have a high energy Chocolate Labrador Retriever, so you can pretty much always find us at one of the Monmouth County parks year-round.  We spend a lot of our time in the parks and at the beaches with both Kate & Torre.

 

The trails, playground, and the Historic Longstreet Farm at Holmdel Park is one of our favorites.  They have interpreters in period dress and events throughout the year that throw you right back into the 1890’s, and Kate loves seeing all of the animals on the farm !

 

 

What are your Mom Goals?

 

 

One of my goals would be to show other women to Choose Collaboration, Not Competition.  Whether you are an entrepreneur, a “Mompreneur”, or someone who has turned a hobby into a side hustle, it is so crucial for us to lift each other up and to support one another!

 

To raise grateful, humble, & resilient children that have the tools to overcome whatever life throws at them.

 

 

The Weekend Society will be at Bell Works Fresh 2019 Season Kickoff Market this Wednesday, January 30th from 1-6 pm!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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