MEET THE FOUNDERS
Hi, I’m Skye!
With my firstborn, a traumatic birth experience that led to my daughter in the NICU and me in the ICU meant I couldn’t snuggle her for the first few days of her life.
Babywearing―and ring slings―quickly became my way to make up for ‘lost time’ and ultimately nurtured the strong bond with my babe I longed for at birth.
Crunching numbers, liaising with hope&plum suppliers and planning our next marketing campaign is my thing.
But I also have a career as a full-time corporate lawyer in Washington, D.C. That’s when I’m not chasing after my 4 adorable munchkins.
Yes, I like it busy!
Understandable when you’re the eldest of 10 siblings, right?
<3 Skye
MEET THE FOUNDERS
Hi, I’m Mallory!
I’m a trained babywearing educator and still have to pinch myself that hope&plum allows me to support new parents on their babywearing journey every single day.
I’m a mom of 3 adorable kiddos who keep me on my toes.
My husband and I are currently renovating our family home in Minneapolis, MN. It’s going to be colorful if my love of all things bright is anything to go by.
I spend my hope&plum days designing and commissioning new slings, sending your orders on their merry way, and supporting our incredible community with babywearing advice.
hope&plum means I get to live my passion.
And I couldn’t ask for more.
<3 Mallory
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Meet the hope&plum Team!
Meet the incredible individuals who breathe life into our vision, fostering connections, and spreading warmth across our community. Get to know the faces behind the magic, each one bringing their unique talents and unwavering dedication to building a community where everyone feels valued and inspired!
CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU
Babywearing Educator
THERESA R.
Why Babywearing?
Babywearing is cultural and personal and yet something that is community based. Personal in the way that every body, every baby has a fit design feel that is amazing for them and it's not always the same from baby to baby even within one family! Community based because that's how it was originally taught. One generation showing the next each taking a turn in carrying the young ones. It's a most beautiful art form to me.
Fun Facts!
I'm left-handed and still end up using my right hand for a bunch of things. I play tennis and serve volleyball right-handed actually.
I'm a shark week lover. I've watched it since its inception and my goal is to get my kids to love it like I do.
BABYWEARING EDUCATOR
JENN T.
Why Babywearing?
When I was pregnant with my first, I knew I was going to babywear. I was completely overwhelmed by all the carrier options. But then I joined our local babywearing group. After my first meeting, I was hooked. I loved the community of like-minded caregivers. A teacher at heart but physically out of the classroom since having my own kids, I loved that babywearing gave me another educator outlet, and I quickly became a master educator. I am so excited to use my decade of babywearing knowledge to help such an inclusive and welcoming community!
Fun Facts!
I grew up in New Jersey and lived in New York City. You will never convince me that comparable bagels and pizza exist elsewhere.
My husband is in the Army, and we have lived in Honolulu, Dallas, and now the DC Metro Area.
In my freetime, I read, visit playgrounds, attend as much trivia and karaoke as babysitters allow, hike with my husband, kids, and dog, and try all of the delicious food I can get my hands on.
Content Specialist
KILEY V.
Why Babywearing?
I dreamt about babywearing for years & years. My husband and I finally welcomed a baby girl into our lives, and I LOVE the snuggles and bonding that babywearing creates!
Meadow is a top favorite since it was Charli and I's first sling. I'll never forget wearing my itty-bitty baby in it. Frolic & Fete are also current obsessions.
I've always dreamed of working with a baby brand and I feel so lucky to work for such an amazing, inclusive, and fun company!
Fun Facts!
My husband and I own a coffee shop & roastery together! Free coffee for lifeeee!
I write blog posts & shoot content/BTS at the hope&plum HQ as I'm local to Minneapolis!
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
GIANNA S.
Why Babywearing?
Babywearing is the first thing that felt natural about motherhood. I struggled with the transition from no kids to all of a sudden my entire heart is outside by body and I cannot control every little bit. Babywearing helped me keep by baby close and it was exactly what I needed.
Fun Facts!
I have two sweet little girls that I am just so obsessed with. They are a JOY.
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, but much prefer the Pennsylvania winters over the tropical summers. Still boricua through and through...in the A.C. :)
I am a full-time attorney mostly working within the hemp industry and fully coincidentally we LOVE our hemp cotton blends here at hope&plum!
Community Support Specialist
JUSTINE A.
Why Babywearing?
Babywearing came to me in a time in my life in which motherhood felt overwhelming. With a husband in the military I am often on my own with my children. Suffering from postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety made me feel like I was failing as a mother. When my second child came into this world, I couldn’t imagine how I could give two kids what they needed from me.
Baby wearing didn’t cure my problems or make me a better mother but was a tool I used to help me daily. Babywearing, along with the community of baby wearers helped me feel less alone in motherhood.
Fun Facts!
I’m a twin married to a twin! We’re both fraternal! I was a longtime customer and supporter of H&P before I started working for them!
I have four kids! The first two were named by my husband and the last two were named by me!
EMILY D.
Why Babywearing?
Two things come to mind right away when I think about the importance of babywearing: Empowerment & Community. Parenthood can be extremely overwhelming, but there is so much power in wearing your child so you can get things done AND foster that ever-important connection with your babe. And community, I cannot say enough about the community. I have made forever friends from all walks of life through the common ground of babywearing. They are and always will be a crucial part of my village.
Fun Facts!
I've had the great joy (and challenge) of helping Mallory & Skye design both their mini ring slings and the Lark. We worked so hard to create something special with the Lark, and seeing the world embrace and enjoy it has been incredibly rewarding. Thank you!!
Some people from my past knew me as a competitive hip hop dance team coach and choreographer. Now you can only catch me busting a move at a wedding reception or at home with my kiddos and husband.
CANDACE
Why Babywearing?
My two kids are well passed their baby wearing ages, but I hold those years dear.
With my first kid, I was excited to learn to baby wear and loved the versatility it gave our lives. I could still get so much done while also holding and cuddling my baby. And it was so much easier to get around without a stroller.
My second was born premature and once we got home, baby wearing felt the safest forus. I was able to keep a close eyeonhim as well as keep him warm. It really helped both my husband and I bond with him which we were worriedabout, with him having been in the NICU for 3 weeks.
Fun Facts
I am a sewist and made ring slings for Hope & Plum for 4 years before I started working in the office. I was bornonthe East Coast (NY) grew uponthe West Coast (CA) and am now living in the Midwest (MN).I love my backyard and garden. If I'm not out there checkingonplants or watering, I'm reading a book and soaking up the suns
KATE C.
Why babywearing?
When I'm not at hope&plum, I serve families as a birth and postpartum doula, and I always keep a stretchy wrap in my bag! Being able to wear my clients' babies when they need a break allows me to get things done around the house for them, which is a real win-win. I haven't met a baby who hasn't enjoyed being in some sort of carrier, and I especially love when I can guide new parents on how to use them. It can seem intimidating at first, but once it clicks they never go back!
Babywearing represents freedom, flexibility, and continued bonding as my clients start to venture out into the world with their little ones.
Fun facts!
I'm originally from New England, but my husband and I came out to Minnesota for school and never left! Now we have a house, a dog, and are expecting our first child this spring.
I am proudly reclaiming "grandma hobbies"; I knit and crochet, bake lots of bread, and love a good murder mystery.