What do you get when you combine an outdoor enthusiast with an interior designer and a baker? Three fabulous Triad moms who are extraordinary in their own unique way! Meet Sara, Maria and Cary. We hope you enjoy their stories as much as we’ve enjoyed interviewing them.
If you are a “mom on the move” or know someone who is, please email me at katie@triadmomsonmain.com. We’re always looking for someone special to feature – whether she’s a stay-at-home mom or someone who works full or part-time. We know everyone has a story to share, and we would like nothing more than to promote them here on Triad Moms on Main.
Sara Romanik
They say kids keep you on your toes and that’s exactly how Sara wants it. This mother of four stays busy not only with her own personal commitments but also as a mother, wife and preschool teacher. She and her husband, Mark, along with their children (Lucy, 15; Tom, 13; Luke, 11; and Sam, 9) are constantly involved with something. There’s rarely a weekend that goes by that this family isn’t camping, rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, biking, running – or entertaining friends and family, reading or doing something crafty (a former graphic designer, Sara is an avid artist and painter).
For the past two years, Sara has taught preschool at St. Leo’s Catholic School in Winston-Salem where she’s also the middle school’s softball coach. Prior to teaching preschool, Sara taught art (K through 8th grade) for three years at St. Leo’s. Currently, Sara is a board member with Forsyth County’s Broncos (a Pop Warner Football team), a volunteer with both the Shepherd Center of Greater Winston-Salem and Amos Cottage Early Learning Center (a regional early intervention center for infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities or delays), an active participant with Calvary Baptist Church’s boot camp, and with the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte. On top of all this, Sara is also a finisher of the Ramblin’ Rose triathlon (pictured above).
Talk about a “mom on the move”! Sara is definitely on-the-go!
Maria Adams
Maria has always been a working mom balancing a job with quality family time. But when she launched Interior Design Solutions (IDS) in Summerfield this past January, she quickly learned to juggle additional roles such as business owner, marketer, project manager, accountant and office manager, among others. Yet she does it with grace which is why her new business is flourishing alongside her most important position: being a devoted wife to her husband Jon and a loving and supportive mother to their sons, Matthew (6) and Christopher (2).
Maria discovered her talent and passion for design in high school during an elective design course, and later earned her B.S. in Interior Design from UNC-Greensboro. For a decade following, she specialized in high-end residential design. The past 10 years, Maria consulted with over 500 schools in NC focusing on student development programs. She then combined her experiences as designer and consultant to successfully launch IDS, a full-service design firm. Not only does Maria design, decorate and remodel homes, but she also offers workshops to teach effective efficient habits while keeping an organized and well designed space.
Maria and her family are members of Catalyst Church and volunteer in various ministries. Because she values community involvement, Maria volunteers her time as the secretary for her neighborhood HOA board and assists the Oak Ridge Elementary PTA with fund raising. She also participates and volunteers in various community events.
If you are in the market for a redesign or a consultation, be sure to also “like” Maria’s Facebook page where you’ll find regular promotions, giveaways and newsletters from IDS.
Cary Clifford
This Triad native grew up baking bread next to her mom, and in just two weeks, Cary will be the proud proprietor of Camino Bakery on 4th Street in downtown Winston-Salem. For the past three years, Cary has been making all the food for the two Krankies locations in Winston-Salem, as well as for Java by Jeff inside Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital. She did this for fun and to earn a little cash while at home with her children. Before she knew it, she had renovated the space under Krankies and the business took on a life of its own.
Cary,along with her “dream team staff” will continue to make the same treats she’s known for – plus more – at her new bakery/coffeehouse by day, wine bar with fancy desserts by night. And Cary buys locally for most every product. Think bakery treats like croissants, muffins, and scones in the morning; cakes, pies and pastries for afternoon treats; a full-service coffee bar and freshly made European-style breads all day long; 14 craft beers and a great selection of wines at night. The café, named after a pilgrimage route she hiked in Spain (also a Spanish word meaning “the way” or “the path”), will feature indoor and outdoor seating, and will be open seven days a week.
Cary and her husband, Jonathan Milner, are parents to Owen, nearly 8, and their late son Errol. Like any other mompreneur, Cary faces the daily challenge of balancing the needs of her business with the needs of her family. But the most rewarding part: getting to build the life she wants to lead and…eating almond croissants daily!
