A Superwoman Reveals Her Secrets: How a Mom and Working Professional Launched Her New Idea

My friend Erin Matticola Vieira is truly an inspiring person. She exemplifies that saying, If you want to get something done, ask a busy person. I met Erin a decade ago when she was helping start a new media outlet that set out to win the morning. Frankly, I was skeptical that the world needed what her team was putting together. Thank goodness they didnt listen to me! This political print and online outlet quickly overtook D.C. and is now the must-read bible in the field.

At about this time, Erin told me she had met a special guy named Paulo and they were about to be married! When she got back from her honeymoon, Erin made a major career change and was now leading the charge in the digital ad space.

Before I knew it, Erin and Paulo had two wonderful kids.

Now, Ive just received the latest update from this Superwoman. Erin has launched CISCO & RAFF I. The first product is an organic bamboo hooded baby towel. Its large, super soft and absorbent. Looks like a perfect gift for the holidays, baby showers or birthdays.

I asked Erin these questions:

Q: CISCO & RAFFI . Interesting name. What does it mean?

A: CISCO & RAFFI - the naming - has been the easiest part of this business process!

It was one of those things that came to me one nightlikely around 2 am, when I am up either feeding a baby, comforting someone crying, or just cant sleep because Im so used to being woken up (Im sure many people can relate!). It was actually an easy name to come up with because it is a derivative of each of my childrens names. The night I thought of it, I was sure I didnt need to get out the phone and write it down (as I do so many things, or else I forget) because how could I forget my children! Once I told my siblings and husband the idea for the business name, I didnt get one bad reaction, so I just went with it! Now, the only question I get asked by close friends is - what happens if you have another baby? I guess theyll see.

Q: Where did you get the inspiration for this idea?

A: I cant say the inspiration was just from one thing. I think it was really a culmination of a lot of things that happened over my lifetime, or really who I am as a person.

Ive always dreamed about opening a business. Ive had different thoughts through the years, maybe it should be a store selling books and coffee, or maybe a doggie daycare (at least my sister thought so), or maybe a store selling beautiful materials and really nice products for the home.

But, really, I always had an idea that Id be my own great boss, and just as I work so hard for others, I would definitely work so hard for myself. Ive been a go-getter my whole life, with a short stint in elementary education, and then a longer stint (my current career!) in sales and advertising. I loved teaching, pushing limits with athletics, and always had a yearning to be the best possible success in anything that I did. At times this comes at a cost, but Ive always been part dreamer and part workaholic.

Back in May, I was watching a lot of HGTV during maternity leave with my second son. In those moments, I began to think about how to make a life dream into a reality (HGTV can do that to you!). In the age of the internet, this has given many people the opportunity to test out their dreams, or at least invest in some that are worthwhile to them. I decided that I would move forward and launch a baby line, focused on worthwhile goods for children. What better way to invest my creativity than with products and audiences that I knew well. And, although I have a great career in advertising, this could plant the seeds for a different future, but in the near term a great outlet for my passions and creative side.

In large part, the inspiration for me was fueled by my growing family, and my desire to be more available to them. As parents, you see these children grow too quickly, and (POOF!) their childhood is gone. You hear so many parents say it, and Im finding there is nothing more true!

Q: OK, you have an intense job and two young kids. Are you just trying to make all the other moms out there look bad? How do you pull this off?

A: Thats funny. No. I would never intend to make anyone look bad. In fact, no other mother could ever look bad because here I am understanding what they go through every day, whether they are working another job or not, and I can tell you, they are working their tails off just like me.

Some days I do ask myself - What are you doing?, Are you insane?. But then the next moment, I reassure myself that there is a high priority reason that this is worth it.

I think in life everything is relative. What you put your mind to, you can do. Yes, I have a very intense job in advertising, and yes, I have two kids that are at the very needy stages of their lives..but they do sleep! (Laugh)

So, I normally get them to bed, and on the nights I dont just fall asleep, I stay up and try to devote one or more hours to the business. There are definitely some days that are a little too intense for my taste, and not one second to myself, nor one second to the business, but I try to keep it all in perspective.

The things that keep me going are the really positive moments like hearing how other moms are happily using my first product and anxious to see whats coming. And, moments when I realize that I am actually doing something for myself, despite what feels like the opposite.