Hello! I am Sabrina, founder of the OVer company, The Modern Mom Show and OVer Collective in London, Ontario. I am wife to Michael, my partner in the business and biggest support I could ever ask for. I have three children. Violet , Olive and Jasper who truly motivate me to continue on this entrepreneur adventure. Life is BUSY, but I love every second of it. I always knew I had the creative energy and drive to run my own business but I never knew what it would end up looking like. The OVer company started organically out of a need I had and this business journey has become more than I could have ever dreamed of!
During our down time (wait, what IS down time?!?!?) we love to travel, drink coffee and binge watch Netflix shows. Our kids keep us quite busy, and the business keeps us even busier! It’s almost like we have FOUR children because of all the attention the OVer company demands from both of us :)
What is your business and what inspired you to start your business?
At the OVer company we create the original Canadian multi-use baby cover, called the OVer.
The OVer company started because of a need I had back in the beginning of 2015. I had my second daughter at 32 weeks gestation and after our 5 week long stay in the NICU we brought our 5lb baby out of the hospital into the cold, germ filled outside world. That was when I realized I needed more than just the blanket I was using to Keep my tiny baby protected from it all.
Breathability was also very important to me since she had been on monitors for the first weeks of her life, it was now my job as mama to make sure she wasn't overheating and had proper airflow at all times. I got to work and created the first OVer which worked beautifully as the much needed car seat cover for sweet little Olive. I then realized the different ways this design could work for me! The OVer was the perfect nursing (or pumping) cover as well AND I could also use it when out shopping with my toddler as a shopping cart cover! The OVer became the one item I never left home without.
What is your proudest moment with your business?
Receiving honest feedback from my customers makes me so proud yet so humbled at the same time. Seeing other mamas across the globe using this product I have poured my heart and soul into and finding it so useful, makes me the proudest business owner on the planet. I ran into a customer at the mall before and she said to me: “I couldn't mom without this product, having the OVer makes my life so much easier”. I will never ever forget those words!
How do you stay motivated and inspired?
When I look back to even just 6 months ago and see how the business has progressed since then, motivates me to keep going as I see the great potential and reach we have to mamas all over the world. I have become passionate about connecting with those moms, hearing their stories and making their lives easier, one OVer at a time. The OVer company also gives back in a great way to Neonatal Intensive Care Units all across Canada with our recent B.O.S.S. Baby Campaign and hearing how this program has already impacted the lives of other preemie mamas is motivation in itself!
How do you maintain a work-life balance?
I think all entrepreneurs will say there isn’t such thing as true work-life balance. Because we still have everything running out of our home, there is always something on the “to-do” list staring at us in the face. No matter how late we work at night, how early we start in the morning, there is always something that needs to be done. We also work on tight deadlines almost on a daily basis. It can get overwhelming at times knowing that I can barely keep up with the fast pace, but there are certain times in the day we “shut down”. As soon as our daughter comes home from school, we spend time with the kids, make dinner and then its bath and bedtime. After the kids are asleep, we sometimes start back up again but we do try to keep the evenings free for my husband and I just to hang out together and unwind.
We have learned that we need to not be afraid to ask for help when we need it. Having three kids in itself is demanding day to day. Throwing 3 aspects to the business into the mix is way too much for us to keep up with if we dint have help. We have 8 team members that help us keep everything running smoothly on a daily basis and we are so, so thankful for this. Our team is like family to us, we truly are surrounded by so much love and support and we know we can achieve our goals when we have so many people cheering us on.
What is your proudest mom moment?
Just last week I asked my daughter what she wanted to be when she grows up and she said she wants to work for the OVer company! Violet sees Michael and I following our passion and living our dream and that is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children, so they realize when they grow up, they too can feel fulfilled in what they choose to spend their life doing.
What is your best parenting advice?
Listen to your mama instincts. Everyone can tell you what may have worked for their children but in all honesty every child is different and has their own uniqueness about them that you have to follow your gut and find things out through trial and error at times! Don't be afraid to “wing it”. I have to wing it every single day with my business life, mom life, wife life, and you know what? It has worked pretty well so far :) (although I have made my mistakes, I have learned greatly from them!!)
Where can you be reached?
Website: theOVer.co
Email: hello@theOVer.co
Facebook: /theOVerco
Instagram: @theovercompany
Twitter: @theovercompany
Pinterest: @theovercompany
GIVEAWAY TIME:
Sabrina has generously provided a $50 shop credit (which will cover an OVer cover in full) to one lucky winner. You can enter for the draw by liking us on Instagram and tagging a friend on the post. Giveaway closes on September 8th at noon. The winner will be announced within 24 hours on our Instagram page. Good luck!!
