How a Mother of 4 Kids Started a Successful Business with Hayley Clark
Motherhood. Entrepreneurship. Often, women are unsure if they can do both. Or if they even want both. Growing up, I believed motherhood meant losing yourself. And becoming invisible to the world. Boy, was I wrong. With a little girl now of my own, my idea of what women are capable of expanded. That’s why I love this conversation with Hayley Clark, founder of Honey Mark. As a mama of 4 and a successful business owner, I had to talk to her about being a woman, mother, and dreamer.
Who is Hayley Clark?
Hayley Clark is a wife, mom, entrepreneur, and follower of Jesus Christ. Hayley grew up in Washington state and Utah. After pursuing a career as a professional dancer and living in Los Angeles for a few years, she moved back to Utah and met her husband, B, on Tinder.
They were married 6 months after they met, in 2013, and now have three kids ages 7, 6, and 5 that she homeschools plus a new baby on the way. Having 3 kids in 2.5 years was a big challenge that later became a huge inspiration for Hayley's swimsuit collection she created- as a young mom of very small, active kids, she was always looking for supportive and functional outfits she could wear in and out of the pool while still giving her the coverage she wanted around her kids and the style she couldn't find in other swimsuits.
After years of designing and many miracles, Hayley launched her company, Honey Mark, in the Spring of 2021. As soon as Honey Mark launched, it caught on like wildfire and has since helped tens of thousands of women find the perfect swimsuit that hits the sweet spot of cute and comfortable coverage. Hayley's husband is also an entrepreneur, owning and running multiple restaurant concepts, and together they live in Utah County with a few backyard chickens and a couple of bunnies. Hayley loves being able to work from home, be with her family, and use the creativity and talents, and experiences God has provided her to build a beautiful life.
How to find balance
In this episode, Hayley talks about balancing work and family life. As a business owner and homeschooling mother, she knows a thing or two about sacrifice to achieve her dreams. Sleep and social life are the biggest two. Hayley admits that her business thrives the more effort she puts in but also recognizes the importance of dedicating time to family. She says, "Even if you don't have kids if you're not putting in 100% into your business, some parts of it will kind of start to fall to the side."
She says, "It really is just like moving plates, right? I've kind of figured out a balance." One way she does this is by getting together with other moms. They work side by side on their laptops while their kids play. Mixing work and social into one.
When it comes to feeling guilt she says, “It's tempting to feel that kind of guilt, like, Oh, I'm not paying 100% attention to you. But then again, it's like to see your humanity and to see you be passionate about something. You're right. It's one of the best things you could give your children."
The story behind Honey Mark
You’ll also hear Hayley share the journey of founding her insanely successful swimsuit company Honey Mark. She talks about how becoming a mom inspired her to create a solution to a common problem: finding swimsuits with enough coverage and function. As well as her struggles with finding the right manufacturer and being taken seriously.
In a moment of frustration, she had a chance encounter with a friend which led to an introduction to a startup accelerator that invests in early-stage companies. Hayley shares how she pitched her business idea to a room full of male investors and how she convinced them of the need for a better swimsuit option for women. Her company has now created a line of functional swimwear that is water-resistant, supportive, and available in a variety of colors.
Honey Mark is more than just a swimwear line; it's a solution for moms who want to feel comfortable and confident while chasing their kids at the beach or pool. The founder believes that women would love motherhood if things were easier for them and that by creating Honey Mark, she is making motherhood better for women.
More from the Episode
[3:18] - Sacrifice and the work of balancing family life and business
[9:47] - The journey to Honeymark
[16:28] - The growth of a business and trusting your gut and intuition
[23:13] - Understanding the beauty of motherhood and finding yourself again
[29:05] - Allowing motherhood to empower you
[34:47] - Where can we start with business and motherhood and believing in the process
[41:40] - Tackling the big things by setting goals for yourself
Quotes
“I didn’t know what I could do until I became a mom. If I didn’t become a mom, Honey Mark wouldn’t be a thing.” - Hayley Clark
“Motherhood is empowering if you allow it to be.” - Hayley Clark
Affirmation
There’s a divine plan for my life. Whatever I feel inspired to desire is possible for me to have.
Writing Prompt
What beliefs might be stopping me from going after what I want? What first, small step can I take to show my dreams matter?
Where to find Hayley
Check out Honey Mark at honeymark.co
Follow Honey Mark on IG @thehoneymark
Follow Hayley Clark on IG @hayleyclark
