Motherhood, it changes you.

While there’s a whole list that involves sagging and wrinkled, exhausted and emotional that can be wrapped in there, for many women becoming a Mom takes life to a whole other level.

It brings out our genuine loves, forces them into places creatively and personally that reveal talents and ingenuity unrealized until that point.

It inspires.

Moms see a need and create the solution.

So, with this monthly series we celebrate the genius of Comox Valley women who turn the lessons of parenthood into a resource for the community.

We celebrate local mom entrepreneurs.

Name: Sarah Stromquist
Age: 32
Business: Kasa Bags. Contact Sarah at kasabags@shaw.ca or by phone at 250-792-1565. Her bags are available locally at Kid Shack, Little Me, Organic Family Natural Home, Planet Kids and other locations.
Town: Royston

Tell us a bit about your work: I make handmade children’s bags from reclaimed, vintage, organic and sometimes new fabrics. I wanted to be able to offer people a sustainable choice when purchasing products for their children.

Kasa bags are messenger-style, designed for ease of use and comfort in the day-to-day life of a kid, including a pocket designed to hold stainless-steel sippy cups. This is an important feature as my kids have used these cups for years and I could never find a bag that worked with them.

Each bag is handcrafted and unique – ripe for customization. I’ve created a bag from a flower girl dress for a girl who, sad that it no longer fit, now has an accessory she can always use. A blanket a child wasn’t ready to give up turned into a bag and a new lease on life as that kid can take it anywhere.

Bags can be made from a shirt or a piece of clothing from a departed loved one. I’ve even made a bag for a child whose dad was deployed overseas – a personal favourite of mine in that I could help keep that child and daddy close.

I was raised in the Comox Valley and am now fortunate enough to raise my family here. I believe in the Valley and have always tried to be active in the community, volunteering and participating. It’s a natural to have a business that combines family and community as well as quenches my desire to keep active.

I realized there was a market for something I was already making and have had an enormous response so far. The encouragement from friends and family, especially my husband Jesse and children Katie and Elsa, make it possible. Jesse works away, so without the girls’ help, I couldn’t accomplish what needs to be done. They help in so many ways like finding, washing, cutting or pinning fabric. Sometimes it’s just about playing quietly while I catch up. We are a team.

My husband’s unwaivering encouragement, support and love makes anything possible. I am so lucky.

I get to do what I love, get to be resourceful and creative, meet new people (and shop!).

I have become efficient at running and managing the household, kids activities, animals and yard. I pride myself in being organized and have simply had to organize this into my day. To give away my secrets, I wash and iron fabrics while my youngest daughter naps. I do the cutting and sewing in the evenings. Catch up on the computer after that.

The business has expanded. So, I now have a sewer and that helps take the workload off a bit. I have to be inventive with how I do things. Like I once took the girls to the beach and made business calls while they played. I once had to reward (well, bribe) my girls with a treat for going to a meeting with a customer. I do hope in some way that they are learning about business.

I want to be an example that they can do anything in life. But, because I work at home, I have to keep it separate. I have the luxury of scheduling myself and when Jesse is home that is family time. That is very important to us.

When I read this question, my initial conditioned response is “not likely that would happen,” which made me think I really need to take the time and answer that. I honestly have to say that I am incredibly happy and content. All the things I would want to do, I am doing. I value life and all the moments in it, so I make the most out of every day. But, if I had to pick, it would be a retreat weekend at an Ashram somewhere…or an ice cream on a beach with my husband.

I am a firm believer in word of mouth.

I am so extremely fortunate and grateful to have such amazing friends and family who have made this business what it is. I also feel the internet is a valuable resource at so many levels.

Oddly enough, that you can’t get the smell of moth balls out of fabric. I had some great fabric from an estate sale and I couldn’t use some of it no matter how much lemon juice, vinegar or baking soda I used (I will not use chemicals). The fabric is gorgeous. But, it still sits, unusable.

My biggest success is constantly enjoying what I do…and when Katie asks, “How many did you sell today mom?”

I just love that.

My husband. Through and through, he is the most rational and diplomatic person to bounce my ideas off of. He will be constructive and honest with me. He listens, supports and loves me. What more can a person ask for in a friend? Also, my sewing guru Collette. She helped to design the pattern for the bag’s mass production and helps with the sewing.

Jesse works so hard and misses so much to support our family. I can only hope that one day this venture can make it possible for him to not have to work away. Although it is a help, Kasa Bags isn’t able to financially support us…YET.

To teach our children about the important things in life – health and love are the most important. Teach them to become intelligent, confident, conscientious, self-sufficient individuals with goals and dreams.

We need to help by making the planet a place where they can thrive. I am trying to make one small step in the right direction.

Always follow your heart. Trust that you know what’s best for you and your family. Don’t let anybody squash your dream. Truly believe in yourself and, most importantly, have fun.

All the resource I needed have been available with people ready to help. We do live in a great place.

I don’t have cable, so I look up the news such as NPR, CKNW and such. I am a dedicated Facebooker as it is so valuable to keep up with people, but at my own pace. I love to check in on local events and happenings. CVK is amazing for that. As well, I like Metacafe and Youtube to laugh.

I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THE CLOTHING RECYCLING PROGRAM I HAVE STARTED.

I HAVE A DROP BOX IN CUMBERLAND AT ORGANIC FAMILY NATURAL HOMES AND AM CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR STORES TO PLACE A DROP BOX IN COURTENAY AND COMOX.

THE PROGRAM WILL COLLECT CLOTHES, OF WHICH I WILL USE WHAT I CAN TO MAKE KASA BAGS TO SELL FOR CHARITY. THE REST WILL BE GIVEN TO PEOPLE WHO COLLECT CLOTHES AND NECESSITIES FOR RWANDA, HAITI AND GUATEMALA.

ALL MY SCRAPS ARE GIVEN TO LOCAL QUILTERS SO AS THEY MAY BE ABLE TO USE THE PIECES. I AM DEDICATED TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF PEOPLE AND THE EARTH, AND FEEL THAT AS A BUSINESS IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT I ADHERE TO A STANDARD THAT REFLECTS THAT.