Motherlove CEO Silencia Cox Has Grown Up With the Business

To say that Silencia Cox has been close to Motherlove during its 30 years in business isn’t an exaggeration. Her mother started the company when she was pregnant with her. Now, as the company’s CEO, Cox is proud to say that Motherlove has stayed true to her mom’s vision of supporting women both during and after pregnancy with soothing products inspired by nature.

When you reflect on your business, what are you most proud of?

First and foremost, I am proud that Motherlove has been in business for 30 years. My mother founded the company when she was pregnant with me and it is an honor to carry on her vision and to lead Motherlove into the next generation.

Beyond that, I am incredibly proud that we haven’t compromised on our quality, integrity, or ethics during those 30 years. The values on which Motherlove was founded, are the same today. We are dedicated to providing natural, herbal products to help moms on their journey from pregnancy to postpartum. I never get tired of hearing from moms that our Nipple Cream got them through the first weeks of nursing, or that one of our supplements allowed them to continue breastfeeding their babies. Those stories make my heart full.

Which product would you recommend to people who are unfamiliar with your brand?

There are two products that I often tell people about. Green Salve is the first product my mother ever made and we’ve kept it around even though it sits outside of our mom and baby specialty. It is a great product for the entire family and helps take the itch and irritation out of mosquito bites, bee stings, poison ivy, and more. I always have it with me in the summer.

Nipple Cream is the other product I often recommend. We created this product to help soothe sore nursing nipples, but don’t let the name fool you—it has many other uses! It is great as a lip balm or on cuticles, chapped cheeks, and dry skin. I absolutely love this product!

How do you unwind after a tough day?

After a tough day, I will often pour myself a glass of wine, take my dog Rita on a long walk, and then enjoy a hot bath before bed.

Describe a favorite self-care or wellness ritual that helps you feel your best.

Being outside in nature has always been an important wellness ritual for me. I grew up in the mountains of Colorado so anytime I can get away from a computer screen and head back to the mountains is a great escape for me. It helps me connect with nature and enjoy the beauty in the small things.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I hear this advice a lot, but I wish I could tell my younger self to ‘Not sweat the small stuff.’ I’ve had many sleepless nights where I am worrying about things that never came to fruition. I think 90% of the things that caused me to lose sleep never amounted to anything.

Now I try to remind myself of this and when I am frustrated, I ask myself, “Will this impact me a year from now?” If it won’t, then I try to let it go and move on.

What social, political, or environmental issue are you most passionate about?

Reducing plastic consumption is very important to me. Thanks to my mother’s vision, Motherlove has always packaged our body care products in glass to reduce plastic waste. In my personal life, I make an extra effort to use reusable containers and eliminate single-use plastic from my home.

I also am a big supporter of organic agriculture and eliminating the use of herbicides and pesticides. Motherlove only uses USDA Certified Organic herbs in our products, and I always buy organic products in my everyday life. What we put on our body and in our body has ripples through the health and wellness of the entire planet.