Mother's Day Q&A With the Toki Team

Toki Kids isn’t just founded and owned by a mom—it’s also run by a team of moms. In honor of Mother’s Day this Sunday, get to know the Toki Team, their thoughts on motherhood, their favorite products, and more!

Eli, Founder & CEO

What is the most significant change that motherhood has brought out in you?

Changing from a Type A personality to a Type B! With so many things to juggle, and the chaos of motherhood, I learned that I couldn't (and shouldn't) try to control everything.

What has been the most challenging aspect of motherhood?

Always feeling not enough, like I haven't crossed enough off of my to-do list, I haven't spent enough time with the kids, I haven't helped them enough, I haven't exercised enough, and the list goes on. It's hard to feel complete and not in catch-up mode 24/7.

Toki Kids is a mom-owned, mom-run brand. Has working with a team of moms been different from your previous work experiences?

Yes, it's the best! From a business perspective, it's helpful to have your target market building products moms actually need, and speaking to customers in a familiar language. The relatability is authentic and valuable. From a personal perspective, it's a relief to not have to explain away being a working mom to your colleagues. Having a screaming kid in the background of calls and delayed email responses because of school pickup are the norm around here!

What is your favorite Toki?

I have two favorites at the moment! First is our play couch, since we are setting up our new home and making a kids’ hangout spot. Second is the picnic blanket, which we use a lot as the weather gets warmer and we venture out more.

What is your biggest piece of advice for other working moms?

Outsource as much as you can because you will never be able to do it all. Lately, as my kids have gotten older, that means they (even the kindergartner) now fold their own laundry and empty the dishwasher.

Devan, CMO

What is the most significant change that motherhood has brought out in you?

I feel like my perspective has shifted significantly since becoming a mom. I definitely consider myself to be more empathetic and flexible. However, I'm also much less punctual!

What has been the most challenging aspect of motherhood?

Becoming a first-time mom is the most bizarre shift. It's odd at first to accept that while your own world has changed forever, the rest of the world just goes on. There is a huge increase in demand on moms, and it's hard to juggle without the grace and understanding of those around you. 

Toki Kids is a mom-owned, mom-run brand. Has working with a team of moms been different from your previous work experiences?

Working with Toki Kids is truly such a blessing. The Toki Moms team is a powerhouse, and it's incredible what we accomplish every day while juggling our kiddos. Our team should be studied, because we're all superheroes!

What is your favorite Toki?

Our favorite Toki product is the bean bag! Perfect for rambunctious boys, but it's also super comfy for me and my husband. 

What is your biggest piece of advice for other working moms?

Give yourself grace. Your kiddos are young for a short time. Everything gets easier in time. 

Haylen, Social Media/Community Manager

What is the most significant change that motherhood has brought out in you?

For me, becoming a mom has changed who I am in the most beautiful way. I am more grounded, more aware, and constantly learning how to balance motherhood with staying connected to myself. 

What has been the most challenging aspect of motherhood?

I would say the most challenging part of motherhood for me has been the lack of sleep! But aside from that, it's the constant internal questioning. Am I doing this right? Am I being patient enough? Present enough? 

Toki Kids is a mom-owned, mom-run brand. Has working with a team of moms been different from your previous work experiences?

Yes, absolutely! Different in the best way because we can all relate to each other in a way we might not be able to relate to others in a different environment. We have all had similar experiences as moms which brings us closer in the best way! 

What is your favorite Toki?

It is so hard to choose a favorite Toki product, but if I had to choose, it would be the play mat! We have spent so much time on it, playing, learning, and bonding. It is truly a staple piece in our home. 

What is your biggest piece of advice for other working moms?

There will always be moments of doubt, but trust that what you're doing works for you and your family in this season. Your kids know they're loved, and that's what matters most! 

Fawn, Customer Support

What is the most significant change that motherhood has brought out in you?

Motherhood has made me a much more patient person!

What has been the most challenging aspect of motherhood?

Balance. Figuring out how to take care of myself while taking care of everyone else is hard, but necessary!

Toki Kids is a mom-owned, mom-run brand. Has working with a team of moms been different from your previous work experiences?

Oh definitely, in all the best ways. I feel like we’re all able to handle tricky situations with lots of grace and humor! 

What is your favorite Toki?

The bean bags! I have older kiddos and everyone in the house fights over our bean bag!

What is your biggest piece of advice for other working moms?

Try to leave work when it’s closing time and not think about it until you clock back in! Kids grow so fast, so try to enjoy the time you have while you can. I know it sounds cliché, but with my oldest only two years away from graduating, I’m realizing how fast it goes by!

Alice, Copywriter/Blog Author

What is the most significant change that motherhood has brought out in you?

I try to be the best version of myself because I want to be a good role model for my kids. I try to be healthier, kinder, less judgmental, and more patient (although I’m still working on this one). Self-improvement has always been important to me, but now I have two little people who are always carefully watching and listening!

What has been the most challenging aspect of motherhood?

The realization that I am responsible for shaping my children’s personality, including their self-esteem, their outlook on life, the way they treat others, etc. This creates immense guilt over every mistake I make. Mom guilt is so real, and sometimes the weight of that responsibility can feel quite heavy.

Toki Kids is a mom-owned, mom-run brand. Has working with a team of moms been different from your previous work experiences?

Working with a team of mothers is truly a dream come true. When you have young children, you must learn how to be flexible. Schedules change, illnesses strike at the most inopportune times, and your heart and mind are often elsewhere. In most jobs, balancing work and motherhood can feel close to impossible at times, but working at Toki feels like being able to breathe freely because there is so much spoken and unspoken understanding!

What is your favorite Toki?

This is a tough one because the play mat will always be #1 for me. But, at this current stage, I’ll have to say the bean bag. My kids use it every single day for crash landings and imaginative play. It’s so soft and fun to carry around, and it’s also my daughter’s preferred spot when she’s under the weather and wanting to lay down in a propped position on the couch.

What is your biggest piece of advice for other working moms?

I think setting firm boundaries is really important. I’m not always as present as I’d like to be, but if I’m spending quality time with my child, I try not to be on my phone or computer. That goes both ways, too! Not that it works all the time, but I do try to tell my kids that they need to give me the time to finish a task before I can give them a snack or play a game with them.

Rebecca, Business Manager

What is the most significant change that motherhood has brought out in you?

It’s made me much more intentional with how I spend my time and energy. Before kids, I’d say yes to everything and figure it out as I went. Now I’m a lot clearer on what actually matters. I’m also more patient, but definitely less tolerant of things that don’t matter.  

What has been the most challenging aspect of motherhood?

Realising you’re not parenting a mini version of yourself. I definitely thought I would be, and I was so wrong! My daughter is so different from me, and that’s been both the best and the most challenging part. It’s made me rethink how I respond to and support her, because what worked for me does not work for her. Some days you feel like you’ve done a good job, and other days you’re just getting through it and taking that as a win.

Toki Kids is a mom-owned, mom-run brand. Has working with a team of moms been different from your previous work experiences?

Completely different, and in a really great way. There’s an unspoken understanding that life doesn’t always run to schedule, and it’s just accepted if someone needs to step away for their kids. At the same time, everyone’s really driven. You can tell people genuinely care about what they’re building.

What is your favorite Toki?

I recently got the Slate Terrazzo Epic Organic Cotton Mat and I love it. It completely lifts my open plan room and really anchors the play area.  My kids are always on it, and even the dog has claimed it as her spot once they’re in bed.

What is your biggest piece of advice for other working moms?

Don’t aim for perfection and try not to worry too much about what everyone else is doing. You realise that most people are just figuring it out as they go.