I’m excited to introduce you to Kristen Bonito of The Mom Comm, located in Salisbury, MA. Kristen founded The Mom Comm during the pandemic in 2021, just before her third child was born. Talk about a #momboss! She saw that moms in her community needed help and she wanted to provide it. During her interview, she said, “I love what I do and I’m on a mission to help moms and moms-to-be realize their super powers while juggling mom life. Because we are all super moms – don’t forget it!” Keep reading to learn more about Kristen’s North Shore favorites, The Mom Comm, and some pretty great motherhood advice.
Where are you from originally and what town do you live in now?
I’m originally from West Chester, PA. I now live in Newburyport, MA, with my three kids and wonderful husband, Greg.
How many children do you have and what are their age(s)?
I have 3 kids, ages 6, 4, and 2.
What’s your favorite family activity on the North Shore?
We love to head to Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury and go fruit picking, grab a donut and stay and play at the farm. We also like going to Salisbury Beach to play in the sand after some Groundswell Surf Cafe, or let the kids have fun at Joe’s Playland. If we don’t want to drive anywhere, the kids scooter, and we walk downtown and along the rail trail and pick up some local eats and treats, and play at different playgrounds.
Where’s your favorite place to eat and/or shop on the North Shore?
For a nice sit down meal on the water, we love Tuscan Sea Grill and Bar – their bread and scallop entree is delish. For a quick meal, Lexie’s has great burgers and fish tacos. I’m always on the hunt for a good plate of nachos – I like Sea Level’s and Riverwalk Brewing Co. has upgraded theirs recently! Both spots are family friendly. The breakfast sandwich at Changing Tides Cafe is yummy. I love Olive’s Coffee and Bakehouse Brown Sugar Cinnamon Latte, and their Samoa Latte – both seasonal, and so good.
I haven’t shopped for myself lately but we usually make a pit stop at Lively Kids in Newburyport and we always walk out spending way too much money! Since I live in athleisure, we often swing by Marathon Sports.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to start The Mom Comm.
I’m a former collegiate swimmer turned triathlete, runner and triathlon coach, I have always loved helping people accomplish their fitness goals. While working in sales at Equinox Fitness Clubs in Boston, I realized I preferred to be on the other side: working directly with others on their health and wellness journey!
I received my NASM Personal Training, AFAA Group Fitness, Cycling and Pilates Mat certifications in 2014, and while pregnant with my first child, received my Pre & Post Natal Fitness certification.
My first daughter arrived in September 2016, and along my journey, I realized how little information is out there for moms-to-be and new moms. Rebuilding my core and overall strength, flexibility and stability were a priority. Motherhood also made me realize how important it was for moms to meet other moms and find a community. Not only did I want to find my own mom crew, I wanted to share my fitness knowledge with fellow expectant and new moms. I started my own outdoor stroller workout classes in South Boston and mom-and-me classes in different studios. Starting these classes helped me meet new friends and helped my daughter socialize. It truly made life as a new mom easier! When we left the city and settled in Newburyport, I knew I wanted to find a community and also wanted to continue outdoor classes.
During the pandemic, it became apparent to me that moms needed a well-rounded approach and support system during motherhood. They didn’t just need fitness, they didn’t just need sleep help, they needed guidance and support in All.The.Things. I rebranded my fitness business, and The Mom Comm was born in March 2021, just before my third child was born. I started out virtually: offering workouts and parenting support workshops with local experts in fields related to motherhood (lactation consultants, sleep consultants, pelvic floor therapists, mental health therapists, etc). Then as the world opened up, I started offering more outdoor fitness classes and mom’s nights out. I began looking for indoor options, and the opportunity arose for me to open my own space. I had no idea The Mom Comm would bloom into what it has become. But I’m so happy I took the leap and believed in myself.
Where is The Mom Comm located?
The Mom Comm Studio is located in Salisbury, MA and we hold outdoor classes in both Salisbury and Newburyport.
What types of programs are offered at The Mom Comm?
We offer both adult fitness classes, classes with your child(ren), kids fitness + enrichment classes, family fitness, Run Club and Kids Run Club, parenting and support workshops, community events, and summer camp options (coming soon). We also run different series, including New Mama Movement, and additional prenatal and postnatal series are coming in the next couple of months.
We have an amazing line up of Partners and Motherhood Alliance Members who help us keep our workshops and special events going as resources for our parents seeking support. We are thankful for these fellow small businesses for partnering with us!
What are some of the biggest benefits you’ve seen for moms when they join The Mom Comm community?
Some of the biggest benefits I’ve seen are friendships, support and community, and most importantly, moms realizing they’re capable of so much more than they think.
I love bringing people together and supporting other women. The main reason I started The Mom Comm was to build the community up! It’s amazing to see it in action. I’ve witnessed new friendships blossom (both for moms AND kids) and I’ve witnessed moms coming together to support each other in different ways.
It’s been incredible to see the impact our Run Club has had on our moms – how much confidence they’ve gained in themselves, and how they’ve set a goal and conquered it! And the camaraderie and support of this strong group of women all rooting for each other.
The other benefit I’ve seen is the impact on our KIDS!! Our kids are watching us make time for ourselves, watching us move our bodies, and they’re making new friends. I love having them as a part of everything I do and showing them the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and being a part of a community.
What is your favorite thing about The Mom Comm?
Do I have to choose a favorite? 🙂 Let’s see…One: Having my kids see me build this business and having them be a part of it all. Helping my girls realize that girls can rule the world! Showing them that you can go after your dreams and succeed if you put your mind to it. Two: The community! I could go on and on, but the support, connections, accountability, motivation, and friendships. I really do love seeing how much this community has helped moms thrive at a time when they need connection and support the most (myself included!).
Any tips for balancing work & motherhood?
It is definitely a balancing act and some days can be harder than others. What I’ve realized is that many tasks fall to the side and it definitely takes me longer to get anything done now that I’m a mom of three. With that being said, giving myself grace, and staying patient with myself are two things I need to remind myself of daily.
My biggest tip is writing stuff down and checking it off when it’s done, but also not being hard on myself if I don’t accomplish everything I think I am going to do in one day. I try to check off one BIG thing on my list each day. Also finding a good support system to keep you going and hold you accountable; everyone on my team is a mom and we are all working together to support other moms and families. My husband is so supportive, and I couldn’t be doing this without him.
What is the best piece of mom advice you ever received?
Communication is key and as mentioned above, give yourself some grace. Communication – with yourself, with your significant other, with your family/friends. It’s so easy to internalize everything. But you need to speak up when you need help, and you need to be direct and clear in what you need. I still struggle with this. I think as moms we think it’s easier to get something done ourselves than it is to explain to someone else/ask for help. But we don’t have to do it all, nor should we. Ask for help. Communicate what you need clearly. And even if something isn’t done perfectly, just accept it and keep going (another hard thing to do, but necessary!).
Give yourself some grace. There are so many people out there who are going to give you THEIR opinions on how ANYTHING should be done. Their opinions don’t matter. Do things the way you want to and do what makes sense for you and your family. Stop comparing yourself to others (hard to do!) You are doing an amazing job and you are a strong mama! Life is not easy with kid(s) and know that you are doing your best, and crushing it!
What’s your favorite thing to do when you need some “me” time?
I love grabbing a coffee or sweet treat and walking along the Newburyport waterfront, soaking in the sounds and scenes. It’s so calming and relaxing. A nice pedicure or massage is also pretty great too :).. speaking of I should go book both of those now.
This post was sponsored by The Mom Comm.