meet the mom Sarah Shields

why she founded a self care space for moms in Chandler, Ariz.

Modern Allo, in Chandler, Ariz., offers three things moms need:

-self care

-child care

-coffee

The space is a fun, modern concept with a coffee bar and coffee lounge, non-toxic nail salon, treatment & massage rooms, work space, and on-site childcare.

If you're juggling work and summer vacation, bookmark Modern Allo for days that plans fall through, and you just need a half day to power through work while kids can play in a supervised setting.

Why did you want to start your own business?

The idea to start this business happened after a long, stressful week of solo-parenting my two year old, and six-week-old baby while my husband was on a business trip It was rough week alone, and by the time he arrived home, I was desperate for a break It was during one of those long, challenging nights that the idea for the business was hatched!

It felt like there was a void in the market for places where busy parents could just take a break, meet up, make friends, nurture existing friendships, find a village, and get a moment of respite

What lessons have you learned in your career that you apply to parenting?

I would say that it’s the oppositie for me Parenting has influenced me professionally on a profound level

Having a business where I can employ mothers, and allow for scheduling breaks to pick up their children, and to be able to offer onsite childcare for their children, has been one of the unique blessings and challenges to this business model, and it’s definitely largely inspired by my experience as a mother

How do you make time for self-care in between all that you have going on? What do you do to unwind after a long day or week?

That is work-in-progress for me I’ve definitely struggled with balancing work/motherhood/self-care, and often find that self-care is what I most often push to the backburner This has been a struggle for years, and is a large part of what has inspired the dream and vision of Modern Allo.

I know that my situation isn’t unique, and as much as I know my self-care is important, I rarely find (or carve out) the time necessary for it I am definitely trying to do better, but I’m not where I need to be I do squeeze in massage as often as possible, I love relaxing with a nice manicure and pedicure, and I’ve been trying to be more intentional in taking time daily for calming breath work and meditation They can make a world of difference for me, but I haven’t quite mastered a routine yet to incorporate them consistent