Giving back is inextricably linked to passionate entrepreneurship, for Jara Precious Jewelry. Part of our revenue goes to MommaLuv, a foundation that’s committed to a good start for babies in developing countries. MommaLuv was founded by Mandy Ladan, an inspiring mama surrounded by positive vibes. We spoke to Mandy about the origins of MommaLuv and her mission.

It has already been 10 years since the start of MommaLuv. It started when Mandy was pregnant and wanted to create a way to give maternity presents to mothers and babies who really need it. “I never thought it would grow into a foundation or organization” Mandy starts her story. 

The beginning of something bigger

“I was pregnant and was showered with gifts. My partner and I have always been involved in development work and agreed that we did not want any more maternity gifts. We started googling to find alternatives and to be able to donate maternity gifts to a charity. We came across big organizations which we didn't really feel a connection with," Mandy recalls. 

At that time, there was a considerable stigma surrounding charities. It felt impersonal to ask friends and family for a donation. That same evening Mandy searched online for other pregnant women in developing countries who were also due in April and decided to look for people who can bring them in contact with each other. 

“It seems so simple and it is. My intention was to link a pregnant woman here to a pregnant woman there. The overconsumption here is in such contrast to the deficit they have there. I wanted to share our wealth at the start of a new life," Mandy says. She puts everything on paper and already has a drawing in her head. This drawing is the logo of MommaLuv today.

Send to alll

“I sent my idea by mail to my entire mailing list. I was still in doubt as to whether I was going to select a few or to send to all and did the last." Luckily I did, as an old roommate worked at the NOS and that turned out to be a golden connection. “Within a week I had found the first mother in Uganda and that is how it started.”

The responses of her environment give Mandy the impression that she is on to something. “People liked it so much and asked if I could do the same for them. I was approached by politicians and Plan Nederland. That created the idea of turning it into a foundation and having the concept recorded," Mandy says. Mandy admits it is also a backlash against the big organizations. “I wanted to do it on my own and keep it small and local. My core value is transparency and I wanted to continue to guarantee that."

Enable growth

Mandy's foundation never had a commercial aspect. MommaLuv started off as a passionate project and became bigger over time. A switch flipped when MommaLuv started to take up all Mandy’s spare time and she sat down with business coach Eelco de Boer. “I just had a second child and I was going through a rough time at home. Eelco gave me the wake-up call. He implied that I was basically stealing from potential mothers by keeping MommaLuv small and not giving it a 100% chance." Mandy quit her job as a teacher, so she can full time focus on MommaLuv. 

That wasn’t easy, the first half year she didn’t make enough to go by. “It felt like a failure but I continued to keep faith and kept building my company. I needed 10 years for that. I certainly don't earn the same now as I did in a part-time educational job, but I do what I love to do, every day. Furthermore, the number of mothers we can help has doubled over the past year, which motivates us enormously."

Mandy has won the Mama of the Year Award and she visited Rutte. “In terms of recognition, the Mama of the Year Award was truly a huge honor. And even in the heroine category," Mandy proudly smiles. “The award was a motivation to continue and came at the right time. There is nothing more powerful or confidence-boosting“

Strong together

The collaborations Mandy established, give an extra boost. MommaLuv collaborates with Return To Sender and with Jara Precious Jewelry a co-creation emerged that felt right from the start. “Jara really matches with what I stand for: Fellow mothers and the art of giving back. I get excited when female entrepreneurs set up their business based on motherhood. The match with Randa was there right away. You feel the passion when you talk to her. Truly special," Mandy says. 

Personally Mandy feels a click with the Tiny Stars Collection. “This collection is so beautiful and charming. My first child was a surprise baby when I was 24 and after 1,5 years I got my second child. I took it for granted and never thought much about it. But I have now seen with relatives how things can also go. I also love the gemstones that are used in this collection. They are aesthetically beautiful to look at, but in the future I would like to learn a little more about the effect of gemstones.” 

When asked what Mandy finds the most important thing about MommaLuv, she doesn't have to think twice. “The concept of sharing, based on motherhood, is universal. We give our support based on equality, no matter where you are in the world. As a mother, you understand each other. We do not want to be the white savior in this project. Our goal is to empower mothers. My biggest mission is to change the whole concept of the maternity gift. I want a maternity gift to go to a charity, and that a life starts with giving instead of receiving. That seems to me to be the most valuable lesson for our kids too.”