Exclusive interview with muse Sarah Shabacon of Bohème Goods

 

What is the full name and ages of your children?

Isaac Charles James (4) and Ziggy Tulum Shabacon (2)

Could you describe yourself in one sentence?

I live, wear, and raise Bohème and am taking in this beautifully chaotic life one day at a time.

What was your life like before motherhood?

I had a really fortunate upbringing, although my parents divorced when I was a toddler, they remained close friends and I was able to travel the world during my school years and knew that if I wanted to go to college I could.  Before becoming a mother I was quite lost. I struggled with depression and although I did well in College, I felt like it was a waste of my time. I volunteered at an orphanage in Tanzania for several months and became so attached to them that I felt like nothing I ever did would make enough of a difference in the world. I would later tell my family that I had left my heart there with the children and until I met my husband 2 years later, didn’t understand why I was here.  Motherhood is where I really believe my life began.

 What did you study in college? 

I studied psychology and criminology, unintentionally ironic as my mother’s a psychologist and my dad’s a police officer. I hated college…I was a good student and scored well, but the idea of spending the next several years of my life at college terrified me. Perhaps it was because I was uncertain about my career goals or because it just wasn’t meant to be.

You mentioned before becoming a mother you struggled with depression how did you overcome it?

I have struggled with depression since I was a child, I also have Tourettes syndrome which not a lot of people know or know about. It’s not just someone yelling swear words, it’s nights spent awake crying over the pain it causes both psychically and emotionally when you’re 10 years old and trying to make friends but aren’t in control of your body and the movements or sounds you make. As I grow older I notice the Tourettes slowly fading out but at times of high stress they come back with a vengeance.  I don’t think we can ever overcome depression but we can take control of it and use it to better ourselves and help others. I’m proud of what I’ve gone through and that I chose to live.

What inspired you to start Bohème vintage?

Growing up I spent the 1st of every month (allowance day!) in second hand stores. I’d spend hours deciding what to buy. One of my most prized possessions in high school was a quilted Chanel bag I found on my 15th Birthday). This of course played a huge part in where I am today, but in all honesty I started Bohème to slow down. I had an accessories label that was stocked by Free People and other shops and I felt overwhelmed and unable to give my sons the attention I wanted to give them and knew they needed from me. I opened my vintage shop thinking it surely wouldn’t be anything big. Fast forward a few months and I was just as, if not busier than I was before, BUT this time I was happy. 

What has been the biggest learning curve with your brand identity?

After running a business and growing a brand that didn’t quite resonate with who I was deep down, I came up with ‘Live, Wear, Raise Bohème’ — It Keeps me on track with who I am and what I do. I live my life a certain way and feel like this is how I can express my lifestyle creatively. 

Describe the Bohème woman in your own words:

She sees beauty in everything and everyone, grudges aren’t worth her time and she yearns for adventure without being bored by her own life.

What has been your favourite vintage find to-date?

A 1960’s Japanese Record Player. It’s mustard yellow, works like a dream and has been a part of so many memories. Music is a big part of our life and we’ve always got something playing.

How did motherhood impact your career?

My career began because of motherhood, I started my first business when Isaac was 3 months old on a fluke and if anything, it kept me determined to follow my passions and help support my family. 

Did you experience postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression hit hard after I gave birth to Ziggy. It took several months for me to confide in my mother that I didn’t know who I was anymore. I was haunted by it, my thoughts, feelings, and words were not my own – the woman and mother I needed to be was buried beneath the depression and the only way I was able to see the light again was through medication. There is a stigma around mental health and there shouldn’t be one. It all comes down to something so simple as a chemical imbalance in the brain for so many people and it’s not a flaw, or something to be ashamed of!

Who are your three favorite Instagram muses to follow?

Courtney Kirby, Kelci Potter, Jes Saddington O’Brien 

You feel most beautiful when?

I’m sun kissed and waking up on a warm summer morning surrounded by my sons and husband.  I feel most beautiful in these moments of real connection where you can feel someones love just radiating from within.

When you get a quiet moment, what do you like to do the most?

I sit down, and just take it all in. The way Ziggy looks at Isaac before he does anything, almost hoping for his approval, the way Isaac puts his hand on his brothers back when he’s about to try something for the first time, knowing that his brother might be nervous. It’s so easy to overlook small moments like these in the business of life and they calm me, remind me that we’re doing more than alright and that our boys are so loved.

Who is your Mother Muse?

My mother muse, is Mother Earth. She teaches us about beauty, patience, pain, hope and the future. She provides us with all we need and like children we need her to survive. She doesn’t expect anything in return and continues to bring light to our days and peace to our nights.

Can you give a quote about Mother Muse coffee books?

The Mother Muse Coffee Books are an artistically visual representation of motherhood in all forms. It’s like poetry that needn’t be spoken or written down, just a moment captured.