Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Del Toro.
Jasmine, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started The Madre Diaries after giving birth to my first child . He was born with feeding issues. He was diagnosed with silence reflux and was hospitalized at 6 weeks for aspirating formula. He had a feeding tube placed and had it until he was 8 months. Due to his medical issues and need for ongoing therapy, I had to leave my job. This was definitely a struggle. With trying to be the best mama I could be. Taking my son to all of his therapy and doctor appointments. At the same time, my grandmother was very ill. She has an end-stage renal failure and was deteriorating rather quickly. Soon after, she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. Since I was no longer working, I was put in charge of all things medical. Taking her to all her appointments and talking to doctors. Juggling my son and her appointments were definitely overwhelming. And with all this, I was still adjusting to becoming a stay at home mama without an income of her own. I decided to start a mom/lifestyle blog and kinda use it as an outlet. I wanted to help fellow mamas. I also wanted to focus on woman empowerment. Women are truly amazing and we are stronger than we are given credit for. Creating this blog was also helping me. It was nice to work towards something that was for me. I wanted to focus on motherhood as well as woman empowerment. I had also signed up with MLM company to see if I can make a little bit of money to contribute to my family. With my sons growing medical bills, it was tough. After a few months of trying to come up with a way to bring money in as well as being more value to my blog, then the light bulb finally came on. I decided to work on branding my blog and add a online boutique. I’ve always been a fan of “mom” shirts. So, I figured why not do just that. Since I am Mexican/American, I thought why not add mom shirts in Spanish as well. That’s when the Madre diaries became a business as well. All the shirts are made by me (the graphics anyway). It’s something I am very proud of. It’s giving me a piece of me I thought I lost.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. But the bumps is what made the journey the much more special. I’ve definitely hadn’t had the best cards dealt with me. I delt with a lot of struggles . And faced even more after having my son. I felt so helpless when it came to my son’s medical issues. I wanted so bad to make his struggles go away. But I was stuck. I couldn’t do anything other than be at the mercy of his doctors. Trying to start a blog/business in the middle of all that was tough. But I knew I had to do something. At the same time, I was dealing with my own battles. Coming from working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. I took pride in being independent. Becoming a stay at home mom was tough. Not the part of spending time with my son of course . But the part of not being able to provide for my family financially. I was really down at one point. But I knew I had to get out of the funk. Not just for myself but for my son. I wanted him to have a mama he could be proud of to look up to. And there were definitely bumps along the way in my business. Just getting my name out there, promoting my business. But we are definitely getting there. In regards to advice for women out there wanting to start a blog or business. Whatever your situation or whatever bumps come your way, don’t let that stop you or define you. Use it as fuel to drive you. And when those bumps come along the way remember what drives you.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Madre Diaries story. Tell us more about the business.
I run the blog the madre diaries. This blog is focused on mamas and woman empowerment. I also make graphic tees for both mama and baby. Shirts are made in English and Spanish. There are also so shirts that are made for a woman who isn’t mamas. I am definitely proud of the message we sharing of woman empowerment. In my blog, I talk a lot about that as well as saying no to mom shamers. One of our popular shirts is our “Mujer Fuerte “ tee (woman strong). It’s a powerful message in the most simplist form.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
I’ve been by a few women. My grandmother, who came to the country and worked her tail off. She became the breadwinner when my grandfather had to retire early due to injury. And she would still be working if she’s hasn’t become ill. I think I get my work ethic from her.
In all honesty, I get inspired by all the women around me. Women I have met. We all truly have amazing stories. I don’t think we give ourselves enough credit. From the stay at home mom who has kids with medical issues. The moms who work there but off to provide for there family. A woman who haven’t been dealt the best cards in life but choose to use that as fuel to be better. I’m a firm believer In working for what you want. I also think you should celebrate all the little wins in your life.
Pricing:
- Kids shirts are priced $12-18
- Woman’s tee is priced $ 18-24
Contact Info:
- Website: www.themadrediaries.com
- Email: info@themadrediaries.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/themadrediaries
- Facebook: Facebook.com/themadrediaries
Image Credit:
Jasmine Del Toro
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