Episode 165: Lost in Motherhood, Found in Business with Rosemary from Mama’s Little Loves
What You’ll Find
In this episode, we have Rosemary Terrell… a hybrid schooling, sourdough baking, homesteading wanna-be, and owner of Mama’s Little Loves.
Rosemary lives with her husband in central Texas where they stumble their way towards heaven while managing the chaos that comes with raising their three kids.
She opened her shop in 2020 with the intention of strengthening her domestic church and sharing her family’s faith journey with others. Along with making meaningful items, Rosemary is passionate about sharing her family’s liturgical living practices, learning more about the faith and supporting other small Catholic businesses.
The Mama's Little Loves Family (01:45)
Rosemary’s husband is a college professor, and together they live in Central Texas. They have three children (ages 3 to 7), along with some saints in heaven.
Inspiration & Patrons (02:35)
Mama’s Little Loves is named for Mama Mary, and inspired by Rosemary’s children. Saint Therese has managed to creep into the business too, and is Rosemary’s Saint stalker (because she keeps showing up again and again).
Saint Therese is one of the Patrons of Mama’s Little Loves shop, but Mary is another, and Saint Zelie Martin is also a Patron.
A Business is Born (06:20)
Rosemary has been in business since January of 2020, shortly after she got a serger for Christmas in 2019. But, she spent much of that year making masks (due to COVID).
Finally, in October of 2020, Mama’s Little Loves made the first sale on ETSY.
A Typical Day in the Shop (07:15)
One difficult part of being a wife, mother, and business owner is fitting in the work. Rosemary’s primary call is marriage and motherhood, and her youngest child was a wonderful surprise in May of 2021 (which wasn’t in the business plan).
It’s about grabbing the moments she can, so she’s working the most on Tuesday and Thursday (while her hybrid-homeschooled kids are in class).
The short answer is…there is no typical day.
Setting Up for Success (09:55)
Ideally, Rosemary wakes up for some quiet coffee & morning prayer (although her Little Flower—her youngest—occasionally joins her).
It’s amazing what this practice can do to set a mom & business owner up for success. On the days when Rosemary isn’t able to begin this way, she can tell that she’s losing her temper more quickly and feels more flustered.
When she’s able to get her quiet coffee and prayer time in consistently, she can feel a big difference in her days.
Joy in Business (10:50)
Rosemary makes the things she wants to make. She has the ability to put thought into her products…she doesn’t have to make anything “just” to make money.
So, her favorite part of her business is envisioning products, bringing them to life, passing them on, and connecting with customers.
The Less Enjoyable Side of Business (12:30)
The “business” side of business is the least enjoyable for Rosemary. She’s a former school teacher, and ran a VERY successful Sylvan Learning Center, but although she was good at it, she didn’t enjoy so much focus on the “business.”
Mama's Little Loves Products (14:00)
Rosemary’s favorite products are her headbands (which also include adult plus size). They are her most popular product, and she uses them in her daily life the MOST.
The Saint Nick bags are another great selling product during the holidays.
Rosemary also makes baby crinkle papers and her kids LOVE them. She’s also passionate about making sure her pieces are compliant and safe for babies.
The Product that Requires the MOST (17:20)
The JPII little boy neck ties with the neck band are VERY challenging! As Rosemary sews them, she says prayers for the little boys who will soon be wearing them for First Communion. She bribes her own son with M & M’s for modeling the ties.
Collaborations (19:00)
Rosemary is part of a community called the “Zelies”. She feels so blessed to be part of the vibrant Catholic Creative community. The idea is that there’s room in the market for everyone, where we can lift one another up and realize that we’re all headed toward heaven.
If we’re meant to be in business, selling what we sell, then we will. Sharing can be done openly and without fear AND we can ALL make progress and build beautiful businesses together.
For example, Raquel at The Little Rose Shop is so kind in sharing her designs with other Catholic businesses who can make things with her prints. Rosemary has enjoyed following her business and seeing her grow (especially because she has such a big heart).
On the Horizon (23:25)
A website launch is incoming! Rosemary worked with Emily from Gloria Marketing, and she’s fantastic! She helped build a website (so Mama’s Little Loves can be on Etsy and her website).
Rosemary also lost her mom in March of this year, and has been dealing with that (which, believe me, is a VERY difficult thing and takes time to recover from).
What Will You NOT Be Making (24:25)
This isn’t a never, but Rosemary made a tree skirt for her own family (Advent on one side and Christmas on the other), but she’s not sure if she’ll release it as a product. It’s large, and would be more expensive than her usual product offerings, so for now, she won’t be making it this year, but perhaps in 2025.
The Best Investment (25:55)
Giving business a “go” has been the best investment so far. Rosemary started her business after losing herself in being a mom (when we lose ourselves in motherhood, it doesn’t allow us to be the moms we really want to be).
So, the business wasn’t a big investment in $$, but more in time and energy. It’s been worth it though, because it’s given Rosemary a little bit of herself back and it makes her feel that she can fulfill her roles as a wife and a mother even better.
A's to Our Q's (27:50)
The thing that makes Rosemary’s family special is that they incorporate the Saints and feast days into daily life! They are ALWAYS working in a feast. There’s always a reason to celebrate, and that’s a GREAT part of being Catholic!
The go-to dinner in a pinch for Rosemary and her family is pizza (I approve!). If she MUST cook, it’s tacos (also, definitely approve!)
Buying fabric is Rosemary’s guilty pleasure! (Thankfully it’s a business-supported activity).
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is Rosemary’s current fun read, and she’s working through the Endow Study on Salvifici Doloris (Christian Suffering).
The product that Rosemary has given away the most is her headbands. As for gifting to friends, her go-to are the baby crinkle papers.
More from Mama's Little Loves
You can find all the products currently on Etsy at Mama’s Little Loves Shop, and on Instagram she’s @mamaslittlelovestx.
