Mom, founder & creative mind - Kerstin Rothkopf on equality, being a mom and life plans

Kerstin Rothkopf is a mom, photographer, creative mind, and founder of the Munich-based label WOMOM. In this interview, she talks about her life as a mom, implementing various ideas, and living her dreams.

The sympathetic mother talks about her pregnancy, which was unplanned at the time, and the impact the birth of her daughter had on her personal and professional life. She particularly talks about how unplanned events affect life and how she experiences and reconciles being a mother and working as a freelancer.

1. Dear Kerstin, we know you as a founder, mom, and photographer. Would you please introduce yourself to our readers?

Hi, I'm Kerstin, 31 years old, and I live in Munich with my daughter. I'm a freelance communication designer and photographer. Shortly after the birth of my daughter, I founded the label WOMOM together with my business partner Annette Granados Hughes. Our small label is still a start-up that we run alongside our regular jobs, but it's a true passion project.

2. Especially when looking at your Instagram account, you quickly recognize your very own style. For example, you see a lot of wood and the colors pink, yellow, and reddish-brown. How would you describe your style?

Very good question – I don't think I can really generalize and describe my style. Basically, I love anything that conveys a cozy, warm feeling and makes me happy just by looking at it. I show that on my Instagram account .

3. You launched your own label, "womom," with a few other girls. How did you come up with the idea, and how has your label changed your life?

While writing my thesis in communication design, I unexpectedly became pregnant, and that gave me the idea. I didn't want to hear anything more about pregnancy and "becoming a mother." I especially wanted to finish my thesis.  not to reduce it to this obvious topic, but that is exactly what ultimately inspired me to rethink things. I asked myself why I found it so horrible to be reduced to it and the boxes I felt I was being put into. Shortly after, I asked myself whether I had perhaps also put motherhood in a box. I then began some research and came across various mommy blogs that radiated nothing but happiness and positivity. I found myself in fashion stores that were only designed for mothers and whose look was always the same. Because of this, I began to collect everything that occupied my mind and to translate it into design. After the birth of my daughter, the topic stuck with me.

I knew Annette from our shared office at the time, and she always impressed me with her sense of humor and illustrations. She also gave birth shortly afterward. I basically just picked up the phone and asked her if we wanted to work on a project together.

And so WOMOM was founded in April 2017. A project with which we wanted to redefine the topic of motherhood, encourage a change of thinking, and bring women closer together again, regardless of their respective life circumstances. We implemented our idea through fashion – because it seemed to us to be the right vehicle for our message – fashion moves!

4. How do you feel about independence as a woman in today’s society?

A difficult topic. I believe we are still a long way from where we should be. Especially not when the self-employed woman also has a child (let alone several). Unfortunately, women are still pigeonholed, underestimated, or even held back. Yet we really need to take a closer look at everything women (especially those with children) manage. In addition to their jobs, they also take care of the child and the household – if you're lucky, you don't do it all alone. But I still think a lot needs to happen! For example, more support is needed for self-employed women. Especially for self-employed women with children. Equality simply needs to be given much more focus, and partners should be given the opportunity to be more involved. Childcare should be a balanced 50/50 – every day, not just when the child is sick. Unfortunately, many companies/businesses are still far from considering such measures. Even today, they still assume that childcare is the woman's responsibility.

5. How did you first get into photography? And how did the founding of your label affect your photography?

I started taking photographs when I was 16 – at the time, of course, that was still an absolute beginner's level, including a crappy digital camera. My sister always had to model. Unfortunately, there weren't many opportunities in my small town to pursue it professionally. So, I decided to initially train as a foreign language correspondent. After that, I obtained my university entrance qualification, and only then did I pursue my true passion again – working in the creative field. That's why I first trained as a media designer. I continued to pursue photography on the side and even received my first "commissions."

Then I came to Munich to further develop my creative skills. Therefore, I decided to continue my training as a communication designer.  at the Master School for Fashion and Communication Design. I had almost given up on photography when a friend encouraged me to organize an exhibition with one of her acquaintances. No sooner said than done – I had my first exhibition and the first sales of my work. This was followed by even more exhibitions and publications in newspapers and magazines. Something I simply never expected.

At WOMOM, I can now indulge not only my creative side but also my photography. That's why it's such a special project for me, as I can combine and pursue both passions.

6. You became a mother in 2017. How much did the pregnancy and birth of your sweet daughter change your life and you?

Of course, my life has changed a lot because I hadn't planned on becoming a mother and had many other plans. But all I can say is that it's the BEST thing that could have happened to me in my life. As cheesy as it may sound, my daughter enriches my life incredibly. I've changed, but at the same time, I'm still the same person, and maybe I've even grown beyond myself. Starting with the realization that little sleep actually is (or has to be) enough. You constantly discover new sides of yourself—sides that you sometimes cope with more, sometimes less well. Since then, I've become more aware of some things and have even changed some of my perspectives. And you simply appreciate certain things in life more again.

7. What does a normal weekday look like for you with your child, work and other to-do's?

It always looks different. With two "babies" - WOMOM and my daughter - you never know what the day will bring. Even the best-laid plans are useless - I've learned and accepted that by now! Before the coronavirus crisis, she had just started attending kindergarten. This naturally brought a bit more structure to my daily routine - from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. I had my "free" time. But I also had to get used to that. I was actually used to only working in the evenings, when the little one was in bed. It just crept in, and my creative "flow" is particularly strong in the evenings. So I'm trying to use this newly gained free time for photoshoots, which I've always been able to do on the weekends before. Otherwise, I use it for to-do's that currently arise at WOMOM. It's true that every day simply looks different.

8. The current situation is obviously different from what we're used to. How are you currently experiencing quarantine at home?

Although I hadn't experienced anything different (working with a child) for a long time, it was a real challenge at first. On the advice of a friend, we self-isolated very early on. The plan from the beginning was to move to my parents' house in the countryside. Therefore, we were extremely cautious; friends went shopping for us and  For now, we only left the apartment to play in our courtyard.

Since I was already struggling with depression after giving birth, it was a huge psychological strain for me. Since we've been living with my parents, however, everything has been much better. I feel very safe here and am much more balanced. And my daughter is happy, too! We can spend the whole day outdoors. Compared to the past few months, my work-life balance is much better now.

But here, too, not everything is "sunshine" - living with parents again is nice, but also exhausting.  "Being a mom" now also brings with it "being a child"... This naturally leads to some conflicts. My parents aren't my personal babysitters every day; for the most part, I'm still responsible for my daughter, of course. But we're making the best of the situation and enjoying this special time. It's intense, loud, and unpredictable. But for us, it's also unique right now.

9. What would you most like to pass on to your daughter for her life?

That she takes life as it comes—both positive and negative—but lives it to the fullest. I want her to not let things get her down and to stand up for what she wants—especially as a woman. And of course, I want her to experience a lot of love and be able to give it away.

10. Do you have a mantra that guides your life? Or is there a particularly important teaching?

It's true: "Life happens while you were busy making other plans." I had lots of plans for my future life before I had my daughter, and they always turned out differently than I expected. I used to be annoyed that I had taken one path or another and considered a lot of things pointless and a waste of time. But now I can say that all of this has made me the person I am today and that I wouldn't be where I am without it. That's why I now live my life in such a way that I just accept each day as it comes. I do make plans, but I don't hold on to them too tightly. I'm simply open to whatever comes.

11. Do you have a special vision for your future?

Not really. I hope WOMOM continues for a long time, and that we'll eventually have a small creative team and be able to make a living from it. After the experiences of the last few weeks, I could also imagine living in the countryside. All of that would be nice, but who knows what might happen in the meantime...

12. What advice would you give to women who have a vision but don't yet have enough courage to implement/live it?

Just do it! Because if we're honest, we have nothing to lose. We should live and try everything we want to try. Falling is a part of life, something I'm constantly reminded of with my child. But you have to get going first. So what are you waiting for?

13. What is your favorite mara mea product and why?

I love your mesh bags —firstly because they're super practical and versatile, but also because of their looks. Mara Mea has such great colors!

I'm also a big fan of the diaper bags - I still use mine today as a bag for my laptop, camera, etc.

Dear Kerstin, thank you so much for this open and inspiring interview! For those who haven't discovered it yet, here 's the link to the mara mea X WOMOM contest.