MTHR Collective is rooted in rest and empowerment for the every mom who is passionate about creating.
The phrase, "You can't pour from an empty cup" is something most mothers can identify with. After becoming new moms, co-founders Danielle Kelley and Liz Franco recognized the lack of encouraged self-care when becoming new mothers, and wanted to do something about the false expectation that our passions and creative intentions were to be put on hold because of this new mom-identity. Danielle and Liz had set out on their quest to build out a visionary space that would be an intersection of both community and creativity for the every mom, and in the Fall of 2018, the inception of MTHR Collective was born (no pun intended).
As a team of two, we have dreamt up, designed, and produced our retreat to inspire the every mom to pursue her creative passions, and empower her to seek the rest + self-care in order to be her best, most authentic self in the realm of motherhood. Set amongst California's majestic redwoods in the heart of the Russian River Valley, our venue + accommodations are glamping at its finest. AutoCamp is not only luxury camping, but also provides a unique experience into the world of small-space design, and offers a beautifully-curated and environmentally-sustainable atmosphere. Our retreat has included everything from yoga, guided meditation through the redwoods, sound bath, speaker panel, DIY craft workshops, and professional head shots, along with informal campfire conversations, a pop-up market for attendees to showcase/sell their craft or product, and farm-to-table meals.
For the last two years, we have been steadfast in our mission of creating a bigger space for mothers to be seen in all aspects of their identities. In just two short years, we have scaled our event by 50%, and sold out during year two, and all start-up efforts have been self-funded thus far. While this growth proved successful, our costs have increased, and we are seeking funding to grow our community and expand beyond our annual event. We are currently looking for support in the following areas to further establish our brand: Venue costs, workshop fees, legal consulting, accounting, trademarking, pop up events.
What Our MTHR's Are Saying
"The whole weekend felt like one giant present to unwrap. Every meal, every flower arrangement, every activity was beautiful and well thought out. Yet somehow none of it felt stuffy or overdone. We began and ended every day in pajamas. Nobody wore makeup to breakfast. And what a gift that is: to be surrounded by talented and inspiring women and still feel comfortable in your skin." - Ashlee G.
"We are not "just mom's." We don't need to separate our creative selves from our motherhood selves; we can be happy and successful by combining both. It was something I didn't realize I truly needed until I got here. It was a good amount of time to spend with everyone and not feel too guilty about time away from kids/family." - Samantha T.
