My name is Kelley, wife and mom of two kids. I am a five year resident of Mukwonago, building a forever home with my husband Brian, married for fifteen years. I grew up in New Berlin and experienced living in the Village of Mukwonago when my parents moved here, visiting the strawberry fields and orchards of Elegant Farmer. Now we live in the Orchards subdivison and enjoy all that this village has to offer.
I graduated from UW-Whitewater with a major in Communications-Advertising and was pulled to start my own business, Baby Jack & Co. in 2009 after losing my marketing job during the recession. Now I work from my home, designing products, selling to accounts all over the world and still loving being involved in this community.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have a blast with my husband, Brian and two kids Jack and Bailey and ewok dog Luna. Both kids attend MASD schools and are active in Mukwonago Area Soccer Club. We all work together at our family business and give back to our community whenever we can.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am a true entrepreneur that created a hobby turned business, designing children’s toys that are sold online and in stores all over the world. We ship the goods from my Mukwonago home. I love the flexibility and endless possibilities of where this job takes me.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Since building our home, we have nonstop supported Antigua Real on a weekly basis. It is sad, but Toni told us she has watched our kids grow up! Fork in the Road gets our business often too. We really aim to support our local establishments often as they need us most + their food is delicious!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
My parents built a home along the Fox River when I was in college and I worked at a local chiropractic center throughout. My husband and I built a home near Elegant Farmer in 2017 with our family.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Rob Seigel, owner of ENSA-North America (he bought the old Mukwonago Athletic Center) is a true mentor of mine. From a business standpoint, he is always someone who gets the hard work we put into it all and celebrates the big & small accomplishments.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I am excited to travel to Nashville in the coming weeks with my family to debut a partnership with country music star Luke Bryan’s family foundation The Brett Boyer Foundation. We kickoff the new products at his Nashville bar on Broad Street called Luke’s 32 Bridge!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
The Office is on repeat at my house on the daily. My children know all the characters and embrace all the unique personalities. It was our go-to during COVID-19 and recently we visited The Office Experience pop-up in Chicago!
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Be fearless, but kind. Voice your opinions and never settle for anything less than you deserve.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I want to visit Hawaii with my family some day
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Chris Stapleton, or anything country
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Elegant Farmer always brings back memories for me. It was a treat to visit and now I can look out my backyard and see the fields.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would love to have a coyote margarita at Antigua Real with my mentor Karmen (she lives in California and is a hoot!) She has guided me in faith, family and business for years and I need to pick up the tab and thank her properly.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Soccer. I have met some of my favorite people through the Mukwonago Area Soccer Club. My kid’s coaches are some of the most kind people who have the best interest for our kids.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hopefully in my pool, enjoying watching my children doing what they love — in school, in sports and in life. Our business is starting to create “products with a purpose” and aligning ourselves with various charities and organizations. I hope to grow that opportunity and give back to many.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I drive by often and stare at the dogs in the window of Jodee’s Hair of the Dog when I am having a bad day.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Norway, a travel study to Scandinavia through UW-Whitewater
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
May is when the grass gets green, the flowers bloom and Mother’s Day is near. I love the Mother’s Day soccer tournaments we participate in!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A 10 out of 10 is being on the sidelines witnessing my kids do what they love to do. If I can teach them anything, it is to live their passion.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My kids. Everything I do, I do for them and to teach them life skills about kindness, happiness and hard work.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Coffee in the morning. My dog when she just gets a new haircut / shampoo from Jodee’s Hair of the Dog.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Peace. Love. Happy Chaos.
