Mommy entrepreneur

PORTSMOUTH - Shara Khalsa is 28 years old and an example of what a young person in the is doing to create balance between work and family.

A study, conducted by the nonprofit Families and Work Institute, found that Generation Y and Generation X workers like Khalsa are more likely to be "family-centric" or "dual-centric" (with equal priorities on both career and family) and less "work-centric" (putting higher priority on their jobs than family) than baby boomers.

Shara Khalsa and her son, Kaiden, seven months, go to work together at Peapods at 369A Islington St. in Portsmouth.
Photo by Rich Beauchesne

For Khalsa her choice had been clear. While she was pregnant with her son she knew she needed to keep working, but didn't want to sacrifice being with her son during the first years of his life.

She has found a way to do both - she started her own business.

Khalsa opened Peapods, offering children's clothing and maternity wear, just after Thanksgiving. She has added to the space with two cribs and lots of toys and each day when she heads off to work, she brings "her business partner" with her.

Talking Shop visited the space this week to find out more about this innovative mommy entrepreneur.

Talking Shop: Describe your business:

Shara Khalsa: A store full of the hippest maternity fashions as well as time-tested favorites of expecting and new mamas everywhere.

We also have a small selection of fun unique clothing, shoes, handmade toys, crib sets, slings and room decorations for kids of all ages. We support small mother-run companies and eco-friendly suppliers whenever possible.

TS: What is your business start-up story?

SK: My husband was away for 12 weeks training for his job, and I was home with a new baby.

I knew I would have to go back to work but was also committed to being with my son. This dilemma prompted some serious brainstorming.

I knew I would have to start something of my own, and I noticed one day that Glow was going out of business and went in and met the owner, Maegen Jane Thornton.

A maternity store in this area is such a necessity and a great idea. I thought it was a shame that she was closing. I rented the space and got to work. My husband was pretty surprised and excited when he came home and found out what I'd done.

TS: How long have you been in this line of work?

SK: Retail? Forever. Motherhood? 7 months.

TS: Why sell maternity clothes?

SK: I wanted to give pregnant women back their style and the confidence that goes along with it!

When you are pregnant everyone tells you how beautiful you look. Moms-to-be do look incredible, but I know I certainly didn't feel like I did. It is really difficult to live in a foreign body that you have little control over. It changes constantly and it is a very emotional process. Most women agree that the right outfit can really change their attitude, pregnant or not.

TS: What do you wish you had known before you opened?

SK: I wish I had known more about the existing networks for new mothers in the area. It would be nice to be able to reach out to that group and create a buzz around the store.

TS: What is the next big thing in your business?

SK: Show off that belly.

No more moo-moos and big bulky clothes, you can be pregnant and stylish.

TS: What is your long-term plan?

SK: I want Peapods to grow and change with the needs of the community. I want the store to be a place for moms to find out about family activities around town. I'd also like to hold lectures on topics of interest to moms like baby sign language and how to make your own baby food. I want to keep the store interesting and ever-changing.

TS: Before you started in this business, what was your background?

SK: I managed retail stores and restaurants. I did party and event planning. I produced fashion shows. I was a stylist and did visual display and merchandising. I was also a nanny, a doula and a prenatal yoga instructor.

TS: How did you come to be in Portsmouth and how long have you been here?

SK: My husband got a great job here, so nine months pregnant we packed up and moved from California. Luckily, we have a lot of great family here. It's been eight months now and we're really enjoying it.

TS: What was your first job?

SK: When I was 5, I used to collect colorful fall leaves and have my mom iron them between wax paper. Then, I would sell them door-to-door in my neighborhood.

TS: What has been your greatest business challenge?

SK: Figuring out innovative ways to spread the word and doing everything with my son on one arm.

TS: What other career path were you interested in?

SK: I've done a little bit of everything that has interested me to date. I love to learn new things. I'm always studying a variety of subjects on the side.

I'm interested in green design and architecture, learning disabilities in children and adults, and neuroscience.

In addition to the store I'd like to continue my education.

TS: If you could introduce one thing to improve the Portsmouth economy, what would it be?

SK: Shorten winter.

TS: What is your favorite Monopoly game piece?

SK: The car. I've always had a thing for classic cars and always wanted to learn how to fix them up. Our family has decided that this is going to be our weekend project with our kids.

AT A GLANCE

Name: Shara Khalsa

Business: Peapods

Address: 369A Islington St.

Phone: 373-6667

Age: 28

Last book read: "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss.

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