Some of you might not know this, but the reason why our company and brand name is Lo & Sons is because my mother (Helen Lo) started the company with my brother and myself in 2010. So naturally, Mother's Day has always been a special one for us because of our origin story.
Even though we all co-founded the business together, my mom has always been a driving force in the direction of our company. We started this company when she was 65 years old, and so she definitely did not need to take that risk and gamble on the potential of her sons.
When I think about motherhood, it's such a complex mix of themes and powerful concepts. One of the things that is not often thought of when you think of motherhood is "success". Yet being a great mother is such an important part of this modern definition of "success".
For my mother, her path to success was pretty non-linear. She didn't have it all right away at a young age, and certainly didn't have it all at the same time. She didn't come from money. In fact, she came from a place of civil unrest and war. She almost became a nun actually. But instead she came to America in search of a better life. She got her college degree, then her PHD, got married, had kids, got a job, another job, and then another job. Then at the age of 65, she for some reason thought it would be a great idea to start a travel bag brand with her two sons. There was lots of unexpected changes and personal sacrifice in her life. She knew that at different points in her life she would have to lean into work more, lean into being a supportive wife, or lean into parenting more. But for her, success was a long term goal and journey, not a short term state of mind.
After 15 years of working together, despite all that she's achieved from a business standpoint, so much of her time as an entrepreneur has also essentially been being a mother. Everyday she has to work with (and parent) her two sons. It hasn't been easy for her, and that's a huge accomplishment in it's own right. And despite all the ups and downs, NOT ONCE in my life have I heard my mom yell at me and my brother. I know that sounds impossible, but I am telling the truth.
Anyhow, I say all this not only to honor my mom and show appreciation for how motherhood has been so important to us and our company, but to also acknowledge and show appreciation for how important motherhood is to the rest of the world.
Happy Mother's Day everyone!
Regards,
Derek Lo
Co-Founder and CEO
