Michelle Conarty
Michelle Conarty is the founder and CEO of Lily and Llama, a small business that curates high-quality, pre-packed maternity hospital bags for expecting mamas. “I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and when I became a mom of two little boys in 2018 and 2019, that passion grew even stronger as I longed for more flexibility in my schedule and truly wanted to help expecting moms.”
Mom to: Aiden, 5; Austin, 3
Hometown: Scottsdale/Phoenix
Favorite ways to spend family time in AZ: When the weather is nice, my husband and I love taking the boys on family bike rides down the canal and around the Arcadia neighborhood. We also love to go on little weekend adventures to Northern Arizona when we can.
Your most rewarding motherhood moment: Welcoming my sons to the world. With both boys, I had preeclampsia and had to be induced several weeks early, leading to labors which were over 43 hours; the second one ended in an emergency C-section. My most rewarding motherhood moment was the first time I held each of them in my arms, knowing they were here and we were all healthy.
Biggest challenge as a mom: Currently, a challenge is helping my boys to manage their big emotions and learn how to express their feelings by using their words. We are giving them space to share how they feel, and also how to lean on each other for brotherly love and support.
A mother who inspires you and why: My own mom. She is my best friend, and she is the most selfless person who is always doing what she can to help other people, regardless of what she is going through. My family has had our own personal challenges, including losing my only sister in 2020; my mom has stayed strong for me, and continues to work hard every day. I am deeply inspired by any person who has overcome adversity and is able to achieve their own success and happiness.
Best piece of advice for a new mom: The same thing that works for someone else might not work for you. Every family, journey and baby is different, so take your experience one day at a time and do what works best for you all.
Your biggest hope for your children: To grow up as kind, caring, respectful gentlemen who are also independent, strong and motivated. I also hope they stay best friends forever.
How are you celebrating Mother’s Day? I will stay in bed a little later than usual that morning and then we will head to a nice outdoor brunch with my entire family at a local restaurant in Scottsdale.