Forget the Founding Fathers—this week, in celebration of all things Mom, we’re turning the spotlight on Vermouth’s Founding Mothers. (Fun fact: each of the company’s three female founders have two children).

In the lead up to Mother’s Day (need a last-minute gift? We’ve got you covered HERE with our lip crayon flights) we’ll be releasing a Q&A with each of our founders in which they get candid about motherhood, reflect on their relationships with their own mothers and grandmothers, and reminisce about the ways the women in their families wore lipstick. As each woman shares insights into her journey of motherhood—some funny, some sobering, all real—it reminds us that although we each have a separate path in life, there are experiences, such as motherhood, that tie us together in unexpected ways.

For CEO and Chief Product Officer Meg Diaz, whose children are currently 20 and 22, the lessons learned during motherhood were sometimes unexpected, but not unappreciated.

The artist, entrepreneur—and woman behind the development of Vermouth colors—gets candid about the toughest parts of having children, what the women in her family taught her, and her fail-safe dinner that keeps the whole family happy.

What were your expectations of motherhood before you became a mother? What was the reality?

I didn’t think it would completely and totally change everything my life to bring another person or two into it—especially when the person in question was extremely small. The very predictable reality was that it completely and totally changed my life, and I am so glad that I was so very wrong.

 What was the most important thing you learned from your own mother? Your grandmother?

Tenacity. I can’t help but consider it a compliment if someone says I am more stubborn than either one of them.

What did motherhood teach you about yourself? 

To my great surprise, I learned I am afraid of heights when someone I love deeply is standing at a precipice.

What is the hardest part about being a mother?

When I’m forced to see that I cannot protect my kids from terrible (or even just moderately upsetting) things happening to them, it’s hard for me.

Can you talk about any memories you have of your mother/grandmother wearing lipstick?

My mom was an amazing marathoner—she was sponsored by Nike and Converse. She had a ton of training gear from her sponsors, but she also had her Sponsored Champion Runner gear. These were clothes that were in theory for running, but only used for official appearances and so, effectively, “fancy” running clothes. If I remember right, she wore lipstick when she wore her Sponsored Champion Runner gear, like the boss she was (and is).

What advice do you have for women who are (or want to be) mothers and still maintain their careers?

When you feel like you’re not doing a great job of managing it all or don’t have it all figured out (do you know someone who does?), talk to yourself like a good friend who has your back and knows you’re doing your best would talk to you. Also: ice cream as a semi-regular summer dinner makes everyone happy. 

By Rachel Gallaher