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Thanks to one ambitious Kelowna mom, other local parents can easily find the support she was looking for during and after her pregnancy.
Amy Rauscher, a 32-year-old single mother and the founder of MOGA Moms, said her goal was to create a community of moms, for moms.
"Instead of looking at fitness as just fitness, we look at the whole mom,” said Rauscher. “So we do fitness, we do social events, we do educational workshops, we have a postpartum therapist onsite, we have a doula onsite.
“And then Mamas for Mamas is at Moga as well.”
Nearly two years ago when Rauscher her son, she didn't know anyone in Kelowna.
"I felt so isolated, so alone and somewhat sad,” she said. “I just needed to get to know some people.”
Soon after, she decided to start teaching yoga at Westside Maternity Care, where she was going for appointments at the time.
"I just called my doctor and said, 'can I do this yoga?'"
Rauscher said she always had a love for health and fitness and did her yoga teacher training years prior, for her own personal development.
"Then when I got pregnant and was on maternity leave, I thought, 'This is the chance to use the skills that I've had but never did anything with other than personal use,” she said. "I never imagined MOGA being as big as it is but I'm absolutely grateful it is.”
The company has come a long way since her first class in August 2015.
Rauscher had to go back to work that September, but had so many moms coming to her classes that she didn't want to shut it down.
She brought one of her students on as a yoga instructor to help her out.
"I always try to hire other moms, that's my policy,” she said.
Soon, they sub-leased in a Taekwondo studio. Rauscher took the next year to make sure that MOGA was more of a business than a hobby before expanding. This September, she finally leased her own commercial space on the corner of Highway 97 and Spall.
Instead of hiring a contractor, she hired another mom to make the studio come to life using recycled and handmade materials.
"It's absolutely beautiful,” Rauscher said. “It was a journey getting there but when I walk in there now it just feels amazing.
Looking back to two years ago, when Rauscher didn’t feel like she had a community, she’s proud to provide one to others.
"The minute they walk in the door they feel welcome. They always use the word community and feel safe and secure, which was my goal of starting Moga.”
After each class, they always take time have tea, mingle and socialize.
Before she started MOGA, Rauscher worked in geriatric pharmacy, something she still does from home.
"I kind of balance two worlds right now, but that's what most entrepreneurs do when you first start. You have to start somewhere.”
For Rauscher, being part of the business community in Kelowna is exciting. She joined Kelowna Women in Business and the Chamber of Commerce, both which she said have been welcoming and inviting.
"I think Kelowna as a city supports young entrepreneurs,” she said. "I think the challenge with being an entrepreneur is being a young mom entrepreneur. So I'm trying to balance a business and being a mom.
"I don't think there is a way to do everything perfectly.”
Her own personal rule, and something she follows religiously, is spending Sundays with her son Landon, who will turn two on Dec. 15.
Rauscher said she is undoubtedly thankful for her instructors, which she calls her Moga family.
"Without my team I couldn't do it. There's no way,” she said.
She is also grateful for all support.
“I love Kelowna. I just love everything about it,” she said. “The community is what made Moga. It's only because of the community that I'm successful.”
MOGA hosts Mom meet-ups every Wednesday, which Rauscher said are completely free and keep growing in numbers.
"There is no pressure to join. It's just a safe environment for you to get out of your house and have a have a break in your day with your baby.”
They offer yoga and barre baby-wearing fitness, regular yoga and barre, stroller fitness, boot camps and pre and post natal personal training.
"We're probably one of the only places where you can bring your child to your personal training session."
While being an entrepreneur isn’t always easy, Rauscher said the best part is watching the difference Moga makes in people's lives.
"That like chokes me up every time I think about it. They're happier, they're healthier, they're good role models for their kids, mentally they feel better. I've had two husbands call me and thank me,” she said. “Those days when I'm having a hard time as an entrepreneur I get those calls and I'm just like, 'This is amazing.'
“I'm making such an impact in people's lives...way beyond yoga, which is so nice.”
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