The Final Cut: Wisdom from Mom

Nancy and Dakota Badia 

Buddha Mama 

Nancy (mother): The most beautiful lesson I have learned is finding the balance between being her mother and seeing her as my business partner and codesigner. It’s not difficult to embrace; at first, it was just new. Watching her grow as a woman is my most precious gift. 

Dakota: Firstly, my mother instilled a strong work ethic in my siblings and me, and it guides me daily. But what I carry in my heart is her advice: Do what I love, be myself, and find joy in my work. 

Suzanne and Patile Kalan 

Suzanne Kalan 

Suzanne (mother): Patile has shown me a different perspective. She has taught me to make sure that I listen to the younger generation. Her point of view and how she approaches things or reads into things is completely different to mine. 

Patile: The best piece of advice my mom has given me is believing in yourself. If I believe strongly in something I create, I’m not discouraged by the opinions of others — it’s usually only that not everyone has caught up to your ideas yet. 

Jane Taylor and Cleo Zancope 

Jane Taylor 

Jane (mother): Cleo is an extremely high-functioning Virgo, and if anyone knows a Virgo, they know they are normally very detail-oriented and very organized! Cleo instinctively knows everything has a place, and not just any place, but the perfectly right place. She is excellent at organizing and I am good at finding the creative high points in messy creative chaos. So one of the great things Cleo continues to remind me of is keeping things organized, such as not hiding our digital files accidentally by putting every one of them in the wrong places. 

Cleo: A key piece of her advice that’s helpful on a daily basis is to pause and walk away for a few minutes when you think you’ve finished something — be it design-related or placing an order for office supplies. She taught me that stepping away and coming back with fresh eyes lets you triple-check your work in a way that’s both thorough and honors the creative mind. It gives you space to consider all angles and let things bubble up in your mind that otherwise may not have had the time to percolate. Doing one’s best work is rarely a linear process, and that’s a beautiful thing to embrace.  

Preeti and Niveet Nagpal 

Omi Privé 

Preeti (mother): I have learned that you have to enjoy what you are doing. In a business like this, you need to find the parts you find joy in and what you are good at. Don’t just treat it like a business; build a legacy instead. 

Niveet: She taught me by example to do everything you can to support the customer’s needs. If they ask for something specific, don’t just give them a yes or no answer. Ask them more questions: Will a cushion work? Will this size work in a different shape? Her tenacity to do everything to help that client goes above and beyond.  

Main image, from left: Cleo Zancope and Jane Taylor; Nancy (top) and Dakota Badia; Suzanne and Patile Kalan; Niveet and Preeti Nagpal. (Oliver Scott Photography; Fro Rojas; Perla Diaz; Jason D. Arroyo)