To read our Meet a Mom with Karolina Kurkova, click here.
Like many of us, Karolina Kurkova is spending more time than ever with her two kids, while practicing social distancing at her Miami home. At the same time, the supermodel is working hard on her various projects, including her Gryph + IvyRose line, which include natural, immune-boosting products, from chocolate probiotics to herbal elixirs to chemical-free bath and body products (for the whole family).
We spoke to Karolina about her quarantine life with kids, building a small business during these strange times and the power of staying positive (which helps with both!).
How have you talked to your two boys (ages 10 and 4) about the virus/why theyβre at home?
My 10-year-old can comprehend it, and weβve watched videos that explain it. With the little one, he kind of has an idea why weβre not doing playdates or go to his favorite places. He knows we have to keep our distance and when the virus goes away we can do all these fun things again.
How are you keeping them busy?
We are doing online homeschooling so my 10-year-old is doing online school Monday to Friday with his teachers and with the little one, Iβm sort of doing homes schooling with him. He has videos but I also try to do other activities that I know he likes.
How are you making it work with two kids and with work?
Itβs really about going with the flow right now. Thereβs so much to do with the household, cooking, making snacks and trying to do activities and a little bit of workβnothing is set in stone and some days we do better than others. I do sometimes have to put the TV on or let them play on their own so I can get something done I need to get done.
Going with the flow is great advice. What are some of the activities youβre doing?
My 10-year-old, is pretty self-sufficient. But once heβs done with his day, we go for a walk (once it cools offβit is very hot and humid where we are in Florida). I want to keep him away from bluelight, computers and TV because his school is online. Weβve even played laser tech around the house which isnβt my favorite thing, but I have two boys and they love it! And with the other one, puzzles or drawing. Itβs also a great time and opportunity to teach them how to be more independent and tech them how to do things, like baking or making a smoothie. The other day we even made our own ginger ale!
How are you getting anything done? I think weβre all trying to figure that outβ¦
I need to work on my different projects and canβt just ignore that, but am trying to spend that quality time with them. My husband is also busy, so making sure I can have that hour or two hours to do a little workout or make work phone calls has been essential. My mom and dad are still here from Europe and visiting and can help. Theyβve been with us two months and we are waiting for a window where it is safe for them to go home. My mom is helping with home chores like cooking and vacuuming and my dad is really good at dishes,. Itβs very humbling to come back to the basics. This is how I grew up and itβs important to show the boys how everyone pitches in.
Are you practicing any self-care/dealing with stress in specific ways, like Zoom calls with friends?
There is not really time to call friendsβitβs a full house and the kids are home. And dealing with your partnerβ¦There is no time to even be together and have a date or leave and grab a meal. Itβs stressful and a test of your vows..through the good and bad! But we find time to go out and bike ride or go for a walk. I try if I can to do a little bit of workout or go for a walk and listen to music. Thatβs important for me β than I can go harder and longer with everything I need to do during the day. Every other minute Iβm working on my projects like Gryph + IvyRose which is a small startup brand. Weβre working on creating content and trying to be there for our community and customers and also pay the bills. Itβs not an easy time for small businesses.
Speaking of Gryph + IvyRose, what products are you using most during quarantine?
Iβve been using a lot of Forceshield, our immune support elixir. I put it in the kidsβ water. I also give them the chocolate probiotic hearts Β (vanilla for the kids and the chocolate for me). They think itβs a little treat.
And youβre creating a mask line with a friendβ¦
We have the kids wear little face masks, so if they want to come with me to the market in our community for takeout. With the little ones theyβre putting their fingers in their mouths and touching their faces so often. Β But the masks reminds them not to. Β [My friend who is a tailor] and I are making ones with fun fabrics and patterns. We will share details when they are ready. Weβre donating 2500 non-medical masks to support local seamstresses and manufacturing. Profits will go to either Feeding America or a local organization helping those on the front lines.
Why is Feeding America a favorite cause?
There are a lot of amazing organizations but Iβve worked on many occasions with them in New York and in kitchens and food pantries, and also in Miami. Sometimes Iβve taken my children. Iβm a mom and I canβt imagine if I wasnβt able to give a meal to my kids. Food is crucial to function, to learn, to retain information if youβre in school, or do sports. Feeding America is feeding families and supplementing them with healthy foods.
Canβt wait to share once youβre up and running! How important is staying positive during this time, as the owner of a small business?
I think staying positive as a small business owner is really importantβbut also even if you donβt own a small business. Itβs a very powerful thing and not hard to do-to smile. There is so much healing in a smile. We [Gryph +IvyRose] do of course need peopleβs support. It is a very sensitive time and weβre taking it day by day. Weβre adapting quickly and because weβre a small business weβre able to do that. If we were larger there might be more layers to go through or slower communication. This experience forces you to be more creative and reach out to your community for help and support. Weβre all in this together and we will get through this together. When you do good it always comes back to you.
Anything else youβd like to share?
Our products are created with a pediatrician, Chinese Herbalist, Acupuncturist and other experts. We offer help with everything from immunity to sleep. We are offering discounts now and trying to give back to the community. Β