We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindsey Monet and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsey, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
As a parent, I am proud of the many ways I have chosen to show up for them, for myself and for the world around us and far from us. The first thing that comes to mind is healing, the best thing you can do for your kids is to heal yourself little by little everyday. I say everyday because that work is never done, there is always space for healing. Giving yourself grace + being committed to healing is one of the best combinations and encourages longevity within your journey. Having kids for sure triggers many aspects of that healing. I say parenthood is grieving and your heart growing bigger at the same time. I think coming to terms with that has also been one of the best things I’ve done for my kids because it allows me to honor both, the beauty and the struggle.

Another thing I am very proud of is starting a business that includes them and kids that look like them. I saw a lack of diversity and inclusion in the children’s and parenthood space, which led me to set out to be the change that I wanted to see. It is important for my kids, and kids in general to feel like they are seen, acknowledged and represented– especially in spaces that are for them. My kids get to watch us (their Dad and I), pursue a career in holistically fostering the childhood and parenthood space. In many ways it is our love letter to them. We see how much they matter, we find incredible value in them, and we want kids around the world to feel that exact way. I know by having our kids not only witness us build this brand from the ground up, but also be a part of that growth, instills a sense of confidence, love, grit, compassion, creativity, freedom, and like their say matters. It is important when raising kids in this current climate, that they are able to explore their value and purpose in a safe space.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Believe it or not I first came to LA from the Dmv to pursue a career in Dance. I spent some time before moving to LA, traveling/ performing as a dancer internationally, and LA was the place I decided to settle down to really perfect my craft and train. I had aspirations to be a backup dancer and teach dance internationally. I was simultaneously working in music marketing, and a freelance creative director.

I like to say when life has plans for you, it will let you know! Months after moving to LA I became pregnant with my first son, and soon after that the pandemic happened. During this time there were lots of questions, rightfully so, of what this completely new season of life was going to look like. I couldn’t ignore the vivid dreams I would have, while these questions arose, about starting a children’s brand. A bit of back story, I have always had a love for fashion, and I have always wanted to have my own business, but nothing stuck… until now. It was for sure an “aha” moment , and in 2020 I started to slowly lay the foundation for what is now known as “SoulMaison”. I wear many hats as the founder but being the designer and creative director really feeds my soul creatively. The question I get often is “as a mom, how do you find the time or energy to pursue something like this?’ I first want to acknowledge that I have a very supportive partner, so that helps a ton. I also want to acknowledge that it is nowhere near easy. It constantly feels like there is not enough time in the day to tackle it all, some days I am so exhausted that I can’t function, and then there are the financial risk and times I am wrapped up in the balance of it all (which spoiler alert: a true balance does not exist and that is okay). At the end of the day, me pouring into the brand has given me a beautiful creative outlet, and my kids know how much I love them, so I give myself grace and do the best I can.

SoulMaison became a response to the lack of diversity and inclusion I saw in the children and parent space. In 2020, when the conversation of supporting Black-owned businesses became a huge topic of conversation, I realized there were very few Black-owned children’s brands. I also noticed how children who looked like mine, and parents who looked like me were very sparsely represented in this space.

How do kids feel not represented in a space that’s for them, what does that do to their confidence and how they walk in the world?

This was the extra fuel I needed to start the brand, there needed to be a change. We deserve to be seen as parents, and our kids deserve to be seen as well. This became a part of our vision, of our mission.

SoulMaison is an exciting new entrant in the world of children’s fashion. Our brand is founded on creativity, artistry, and a strong connection to the soulful child within each of us. We are dedicated to providing clothing for infants and children that embodies comfort, versatility, and timeless style–drawing inspiration from past eras while remaining relevant in modern time. Our mission is to empower parents and guardians to dress their children in clothes that are both comfortable and creative. We see clothing as a vehicle for how children move through the world, so it is critical that our clothing fosters a child’s imagination, self-expression, and individuality. SoulMaison is fully produced in Los Angeles, and makes a commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. More importantly SoulMaison aims to foster community amongst parents and kids through our online platform and in-person events.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Something about me: I love food, coffee, parks and museums. So if you are hanging with me we are most likely doing one or all of these things.

Coffee: Loquat, Maru, Damo (#1), Stereoscope, Mandarin, Endorphin. Sip and Sonder (to name a few)
Eat: Manuela, Loreto, Girl and The Goat ( There are too many to name
See: Schindler House, Hollyhock House, California African American Museum, Hauser and Wirth (I try to support small exhibits as much as possible so I usually try to find those)

The arts district is one of my favorite areas

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shout out my Partner and love, Jamarko. It is safe to say as a creative and a mother of two toddlers, finding the capacity to create and pursue this brand would have been incredibly hard without the support of my partner and their dad. He continues to hold space for me and support me in ways sometimes I can’t even express in words. Whether it is encouraging a solo trip where I can decompress, making meals so I don’t get too overwhelmed, or staying up late with me as I dump ideas on him. His support and love continues to surpass anything I could’ve asked for, and it is consistent. He is for sure the reason I have been able to fully go for many of my dreams, and I am so grateful for him. Shoutout to Jamarko!

Website: https://soulmaison.com

Instagram: @elle.monet @soulmaison

Image Credits
@savannarruedy

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