Welcome to Tiny Chair Talks, Babymint’s interview series where we settle into tiny chairs in my son's bedroom for meaningful conversations with parents who are shaping the world they want their kids to grow up in.
Today, we’re excited to chat with Michelle, a social media manager at EILEEN FISHER and a mom who blends her love for style with a commitment to more sustainable living.
In this candid conversation, Michelle shares her journey working in sustainable fashion, her approach to motherhood, and her hopes for building a future rooted in conscious living.
Read on for our chat with Michelle - a story of purpose, creativity, and finding balance in the beautiful whirlwind of mom life.
Michelle, can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your journey – both as a mom and as someone working in the sustainability space?
I’m the Social and Influencer Manager for EILEEN FISHER. I’ve actually been working in the social media and influencer space for almost a decade now. I started out in hospitality, then moved into CPG, specifically health and wellness brands. Now, I’m in sustainable fashion, which has been a dream opportunity for me, and I've been there since 2021.
A little backstory: around 2017, I decided to rebrand my social media presence and started a blog called Soho Mini, which is still my Instagram handle today. I was already working in social media and influencer marketing, but I also loved creating my own content centered around my personal style. Soho Mini became my outlet for expressing that creativity outside of my everyday work.
Over time, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with many different brands and work on exciting projects that I truly believe in and that align with my values. I’ve always made it a priority to partner with brands that resonate with me, especially those reflecting sustainability, capsule wardrobing, and conscious living - all of which are important aspects of my life.
And, of course, I’m a mom now - which is probably the best title I’ve ever had.
What does a typical day look like right now – juggling the kid, your work, and content creation?
I have the perfect example to share because this past week was incredibly busy. Just a few days ago, I had one of those nonstop days where I woke up early, got the baby up, and somehow managed to squeeze in a 20-minute workout before heading to the office. That doesn’t always happen, but I’m trying to make it a more regular habit.
After work, I went straight to a small business pitch event in Soho. Then I came home and carved out a bit of time for myself with a quick sauna session.
That’s definitely not my everyday routine, but it’s a great example of how I juggle all the different parts of my life. I decided to document the whole day for TikTok because I’m trying to push myself to share more of my daily life on that platform - since that kind of content tends to resonate well.
Of course, not every day is as exciting or full as that one. Some days it’s easier to balance everything we have to handle as moms and as career people. Lately, I’ve been focusing on leaning into what feels aligned with me. If something feels right, I want to welcome it and create space for those opportunities in my life. It’s really about finding and leaning into what works.
How has becoming a mom changed your relationship with fashion – or how you express yourself these days?
Absolutely - becoming a mom has changed every facet of how I view life, especially when it comes to style. For me, it’s been a positive transformation. I’ve never felt more confident in my personal style than I have since becoming a mother.
Your body goes through so many changes during pregnancy and then again postpartum. I had a very challenging postpartum journey, and my body fluctuated a lot. Through that experience, I started paying closer attention to the pieces I was gravitating toward and asking myself why certain clothes made me feel more confident than others. I began to focus on wearing what made me feel best, without seeking external validation. It was an incredibly empowering shift.
I strongly believe that just because you’re a mom, it doesn’t mean you have to fit into a single style category. You can embrace any style you want, dress however you choose, and express yourself in ways that make you feel the most confident.
My philosophy about style has always been that it’s not just about elevating your appearance - it can actually elevate your mental health. During my postpartum journey, dressing in a way that felt like “me” brought me a sense of solace and peace. It helped me feel connected to myself, especially when I put effort into my work outfits and maintained that part of my identity.
Last year, during one of the hardest periods of my postpartum experience, I started documenting many of my work outfits. It wasn’t entirely intentional at first; I simply wanted to create more content around my personal style. Eventually, those outfit posts became part of content we shared at EILEEN FISHER, and it was amazing to see my style evolution come through.
It’s also one of the many reasons I love EILEEN FISHER as a brand. It’s probably one of the best options for postpartum moms - I highly recommend grabbing a pair of their pants because they’re so comfortable while also making you feel put together. That realization was truly an awakening for me.
What’s one thing motherhood has taught you about yourself that surprised you?
Yes, I’d have to say that my intuition is like my superpower. Before becoming a mom, I understood the idea of intuition - that gut feeling we all get. I would hear it, but I like to say that back then, it was more like a whisper. Sometimes I’d listen to it, but often, I second-guessed myself.
After giving birth, though, it felt like my intuition started screaming at me - it became impossible to ignore, and it’s always been right. Honestly, it feels like a sixth sense that becomes incredibly strong once you become a mom, and you start to realize it’s always been there.
When I think back, I can pinpoint moments where I now recognize my intuition was trying to guide me, showing me which path to take. It’s a beautiful thing, and I believe we all have the ability to tap into it. You definitely don’t have to be a mom to access your intuition, but motherhood brought me to a whole new level of trusting it. Now, I try to let it guide me as much as possible.
You’ve built a beautiful platform around sustainable style. What are some small steps parents can take to make their wardrobes (and their kids') more eco-friendly?
I love this question - it feels like my Super Bowl because this is exactly the kind of topic I’m passionate about. It’s not the first time I’ve been asked, and I usually share the same few simple steps, because they’re easy to start with and can make a big difference.
I think a lot of people feel overwhelmed when they hear the words “sustainability” or “shopping more sustainably.” Sometimes there’s even guilt about choices they’ve made in the past. But everyone has to start somewhere.
My first piece of advice is simply: start asking questions. That’s actually how I got into capsule wardrobing and sustainability in the first place. I began asking things like: Who’s making this? Where was it made? What impact does it have on me, my community, or the community it comes from? As I learned the answers, they started guiding my purchasing decisions.
Even just pausing for a moment to question what you’re buying - before you swipe your card or tap to pay - means you’re already becoming a more sustainable shopper. That step alone sets you apart from the typical consumer mindset we can all fall into. It’s an easy first step, and over time you’ll become more informed and intentional about your purchases.
My next tip is to always read the label on your clothing. You might be surprised by what you’re actually buying. Personally, I try to choose natural fibers, especially for my son, because I want to avoid unnecessary chemicals. I stay away from synthetics when I can, and I pay attention to the dyes used in clothing since those can also affect us.
I was definitely that mom who spent a bit extra on organic clothing because it was so important to me. Babies put everything in their mouths, and their clothes end up covered in drool and stains, so knowing what’s in the fabric matters. Plus, it’s another good reason to check the label - you don’t want to accidentally fill your child’s closet with dry-clean-only clothes. As a parent, you want to know exactly what you’re committing to in terms of care and practicality.
Last but not least: shop secondhand whenever you can. One of my favorite hacks is to search for whatever item I’m looking for and add the word “secondhand” at the end in Google to see what comes up. That’s actually how I first discovered Babymint - I was searching for vintage clothing for my son, Leo. I think it’s amazing to have a platform like Babymint because it reminds me of The RealReal, but for kids. There’s nothing else quite like it - a dedicated source where you can find high-quality secondhand clothing and gear for children. I honestly wish I had known about it during my entire pregnancy. It’s such a great resource!
Has becoming a parent deepened your perspective on sustainability in any new ways?
Something I think about much more these days is how my individual actions reflect my values and how I’m truly “walking the walk.” That’s what kids really absorb - it’s what we do every day that shapes them. My hope is that, as my child grows up, these daily examples will help guide him to make thoughtful choices, just like we try to do ourselves. It definitely plays a big role in how I approach parenting.
In my work as well, we’re always exploring different ways to communicate sustainability in a way that genuinely resonates with people. Ultimately, I believe it all comes down to the small, everyday actions we choose to take.
What kind of world do you hope Leo grows up in? And what are you doing now to help shape that world?
I would say the words that come to mind are empathetic, kind, respectful, and innovative - those are the qualities I hope to help manifest in the world my son grows up in. Building off the idea of taking small, everyday actions, we try to show him what it looks like to make better choices and do things together as a family. For example, this weekend we’re planning to bring a pile of clothes to the textile recycling drop-off at the farmers market. These are pieces that aren’t really suitable for resale or secondhand use, so rather than letting textile waste pile up, we’re finding a responsible way to recycle them.
We also make recycling part of our daily routine. We sort out our recycling together as a family, often multiple times a day since our trash room is so close to our apartment. It’s a way of showing him that it’s not just about good intentions, but about taking concrete steps to do the right thing.
We also spend a lot of time outdoors, especially at the park. We’re mindful of how we show up in shared spaces and how we take care of the environment. At the same time, we want to let him explore and play freely. He’s fascinated by all the wildlife he sees when we’re out and about, so we emphasize being respectful of nature and the spaces we’re in.
Ultimately, it’s about teaching him through our actions. Kids learn best by watching what we actually do, and I try to lead by example in all these small, meaningful ways.
How do you find moments to stay grounded or connected to yourself as a woman – beyond being a mom?
Absolutely - it’s truly life-saving to carve out time for yourself. You have to do something for your own well-being, even on the busiest days. Sometimes it’s just five minutes to pause and breathe. For me, that might look like a 20-minute session at the gym or going out for a night with friends.
It’s important to plan those moments in advance so you know you’ll have some girl time, some “me” time, and a chance to connect. Honestly, I do a lot of connecting and networking both for work and through Soho Mini and my content creation. I’m constantly meeting people or grabbing coffee, and that really makes me feel good. It’s a way of prioritizing what matters to me and simultaneously filling my cup.
Even on days when the only thing I accomplish is filming a styling video for Instagram or TikTok, I still feel fulfilled because it’s moving me toward my goals and aligns with my mission and my work.
