Ashburn mother of two Julie Powers finds simple pleasure in creating and collecting the items for her Mom Things subscription service, which celebrates its first anniversary this month. Sometimes it’s a piece she designed, like a mini spatula for flipping cookies—it was inspired by one her mother-in-law had shown her. Other times it’s a goody from a NoVA artisan (and fellow mom), such as Simply Light Candle Co. And it’s often a suggestion from friends. “I don’t put anything in the box that I don’t use myself or like,” says Powers, a former health care event industry exec turned entrepreneur who, until recently, was assembling each box at home, with the help (wink) of her two boys and golden retriever. (She has since partnered with a warehouse.) Simply put, she wants to bring joy. “It makes women feel special in a normal day of motherhood.” That rings true during the pandemic, when everyone needs a little extra TLC, she says. So for January, Mom Things might deliver something to soothe skin during the dry winter months and items themed around Valentine’s Day. There’s more to come as she expands her offerings (such as coordinating bulk orders for corporate clients) and brainstorms ways to bring more value to women’s lives. “Sometimes I think it’s turning into all the things,” she says. “I love that it’s making so many people smile.” // subscriptions $35-$210
This story originally appeared in the January issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly print magazine.
