MOTHER oF INVENTION: MIRTE mAAS
The moment you find out you are expecting there are several things you want to change in your life, what you put in your body and what you put on your body. Enter Mirte, first time mother and founder of the Little Bean App. Mirte moved from Holland to New York in 2009 to pursue her modeling career she then followed it up with completing a part-time undergraduate degree at Columbia University. When she was pregnant with her son Kayden in 2021, she faced the challenge of identifying safe beauty products. To simplify the process, she developed the Little Bean App, a quick tool to quickly evaluate the safety of the ingredient list of your beauty product during pregnancy. As a mother we know the juggle struggle to combine work and motherhood is not easy, we ask Mirte how she combines both.
“The intense love I feel is unlike anything I've ever experienced before.”
Wunder Stories What does your typical workday look like?
Mirte Maas My 'work day' generally starts around 11am if I don't have a modeling job. I like to spend the mornings with my son and then split my time between tasks for Little Bean, which consists of part product development and marketing tasks.
WS What is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?
MM Finding a balance between dedicating time to work and being present for my son. I struggle with being away from him while also trying to prioritize and spend quality time with him.
WS Do you have a support system to help you juggle motherhood and career?
MM Yes, I am fortunate to have a flexible housekeeper/nanny who accommodates my schedule, and I am grateful for the support of my partner, who is understanding and supportive of both.
WS What is your best advice for combining/balancing work and motherhood?
MM Try to get as much done during nap time.
WS Do you feel motherhood has altered your career path?
MM Absolutely! While in college, I used to envision myself pursuing a 9-to-5 job, and success was my top priority. However, now that I'm a mom, I believe being a mom is my most important job. Any additional accomplishments I achieve on top of that are a blessing.
WS How has motherhood changed you?
MM I feel more content, and my mind is less preoccupied with the past. All my life choices have ultimately led me to him, reducing my doubts about whether I made the right decisions.
WS What do you love most about raising kids in New York?
MM The ease of doing things with Kayden. Within just a few blocks or a short car ride, there are many parks, museums, and kid-friendly activities.
WS What has been the hardest part of motherhood so far?
MM The doubts of am doing things right.
WS How would you describe your parenting style?
MM I consider myself to be pretty laid-back, but since he hasn't reached his terrible twos yet, we'll have to wait and see how things go!
WS Who is your favorite mom role model?
MM My mom raised three kids without help.
WS What do you love most about motherhood?
MM The intense love I feel is unlike anything I've ever experienced before.
WS What is your beauty routine like?
MM AM - Cleanser, then use my micro current device with conductive gel, followed by a serum, moisturizer, and tinted moisturizer.
PM - Cleanser, serum, cream or oil
(if you want to name the products, I use the Nuface microcurrent device and, currently, Munskin products)
What do you do for self-care?
I love getting deep tissue massages
WS What are your Beauty Essentials?
MM I like using my microcurrent device. I feel like it gives more defined cheekbones. I also love using under-eye patches, as I've always had pretty dark circles. I'm not 100% sure if I can vouch for them working, but at least it feels nice.
Quickies
1) Current Projects?
I am redoing my app with better features and releasing it on Android. The new version should come out in about 2 months!
2) Favorite Book?
The four agreements
3) Favorite Kids Book?
Harry Potter
4) Favorite kid-friendly spots?
Washington Square Village Playground
Favorite local restaurant?
Ruby's
5) On repeat on your playlist?
Hamilton the musical
6)Favorite Podcast?
Crime Junkie
7)Favorite local shop?
Whole Foods