Regardless, I wanted to end generational cycles that I didn’t understand until I was in my 30s. For me. For my daughters. I ended up going through a terrible divorce. Divorce is alike to a full-time job – difficult, emotionally draining, and incredibly stressful. I was heartbroken at the thought of my daughters growing up in a separated household, a term I prefer over "broken." Little did I know, thanks to the support of Little Love Bug and its community, I would gain a choice not afforded to previous generations – the choice to leave.
I was listening to a Podcast I enjoy “Julia Gets Wise with Isabel” and was surprised to hear award winning author, Isabel Allende, suggest Julia Louis-Dreyfus not worry about her lack of ability to use the word “patriarchy”, because it is no longer needed in The United States. I must respectfully disagree. The term "patriarchy" and the ongoing mission to "smash the patriarchy" remain both crucial and, indeed, controversial. Despite the progress we've made, there's still a considerable distance to cover. And despite my reservations about potentially unsettling customers, in the spirit of smashing the patriarchy, I feel compelled to express my perspective.
First, thank you for supporting my business. I started Little Love Bug Company while my youngest was in moccasins and I didn’t like what was on the market. As I learned more about proper foot development my shoes have continued to morph into what they are today. The more science investigates this topic, the more I research and alter my shoes to give your littles feet (and body) the very best start.
But my shoes aren’t the only thing that has changed since 2017. I became caught in the crosshairs of a decision I would need to make in 2019. You don’t need to agree with divorce, but I can tell you – I didn’t expect to get one. I never imagined I would be a single mother of two young daughters. My entire life, all I wanted to be was a stay-at-home mom. My business was not successful. In fact, one might say I was drowning in debt. Ok, I’ll say it. I was drowning in debt, and I didn’t know what I was doing.
Regardless, I wanted to end generational cycles that I didn’t understand until I was in my 30s. For me. For my daughters. I ended up going through a terrible divorce. Divorce is alike to a full-time job – difficult, emotionally draining, and incredibly stressful. I was heartbroken at the thought of my daughters growing up in a separated household, a term I prefer over "broken." Little did I know, thanks to the support of Little Love Bug and its community, I would gain a choice not afforded to previous generations – the choice to leave.
Little Love Bug was once referred to as "my hobby," but it was so much more. I worked my butt off to understand, to learn, to grow, to be a success. Little Love Bug became my means of challenging the patriarchy on my terms, offering financial independence, decision-making autonomy, and the opportunity to be ambitious. The workplace, as it stands, isn't designed for women, but my small business restored my power and freedom.
I owe my independence and success to you, my incredible supporters. Thank you for fueling my dream and, in doing so, supporting other mothers working with me to realize their dreams of staying home with their kids. Together, we are contributing, even if it's just a small sliver, to the ongoing effort to smash the patriarchy. Thank you for being a part of this journey.