Meet Quality Assurance Manager Colleen Maguire

What do you love most about working at Honest?

I love the culture. The culture we have at Honest is so organic; it isn't forced or contrived. Our voices are heard, our opinions matter, and our talents recognized. We're all here on this amazing mission of trying to better the world and it shows in the energy of this community — from the volunteer opportunities to the passion that is part of our daily work. We all really care about the experiences of our customers, so even in the most low-level conversations this is at the forefront of our minds. I always say, if I have to be away from my kids during the day, it makes me super happy that this is where I come and this is where I am making my contributions.

What is your favorite product?

Do I have to pick one? I got hooked on Honest using the Conditioning Detangler on my daughter. I also love the Healing Balm, Stain Remover, Bar Soap, Body Oil, and I use the wipes for EVERYTHING!

What is your most memorable Honest moment?

When I found out I was pregnant with my first baby almost 6 years ago, it became a huge priority to educate myself on what products were safe and as non-toxic as possible. I read as much as I could about ingredients and companies that were trying to do the right thing with their products. Honest didn't exist then and the choices were so limited. I remember being obsessed with the fact that all of my stroller choices had these harmful flame retardants and my little baby was going to be exposed to them and there were no alternatives (something we now have at Honest). About three weeks after I started working here, the engineering team had a meeting with Christopher, our co-founder, to talk about our products and mission. I was so moved in that meeting. I felt like all of my concerns that I had for my baby were shared by others and were validated. I was and am so thrilled to be a part of a company that is dedicated to making these products available to the masses and won't compromise on their quality or standards. I went home that night and told my own family that I finally felt like I was at home in this company.

How do you embrace the Honest lifestyle at home?

I think I really tried to embrace the Honest lifestyle some six years ago. I threw away all of the conventional cleaners and started making homemade cleaning supplies. I changed laundry detergents, stopped buying bottled water, started gardening, and worked to minimize our waste. As a family, we decided that if we were going to spend extra money somewhere, it would be on organic produce and meats whenever possible. I also accepted the fact that I could make myself crazy if I analyzed every aspect of our lives through the lens of eliminating ALL toxins, so instead focused on small changes that were doable for us as a family — which I also believe is part of the Honest lifestyle. It certainly became easier to invite cleaning, diapering, and bath and body changes into our lives when The Honest Company began.

If you weren't at work, what would you be doing?

Spending time with my three daughters, my amazing Irishman of a husband, our two dogs, and cat. My husband and I are doing our best to introduce our girls to the great outdoors, strong family values, and something we are all particularly fond of — playing music. So you will likely find me doing something with at least one of these things in mind. Also, driving, because it is LA.

Looking back, what advice would you give yourself as a first-time mom?

My first-time mom experience was likely a little different than most. I was a step-mom to a beautiful 9-year-old girl Emma before I ever birthed a child. So I already was somewhat adjusted to life with a kid before I got pregnant, and I feel like I had a head start in having this little person teach me so much about the world and about myself in a parental role. My husband was even further along; he wasn't nearly as nervous as I was about having a baby to care for. I wish I could have taken a page from his book in those first couple of years. I lost sight of the fact that my baby, Maebh (pronounced Maeve) was who she is and so much of her behavior was just her make-up. She never slept unless she was in my arms — we joke that she would crawl back into my womb if she could even now at age 5. I thought I was doing something wrong because she wasn't sleeping through the night and she only wanted to be held by me. It wasn't until her little sister Bridgette came along and from her first moments needed her space that I realized this was just who Maebh is. I could have saved myself a lot of anxiety if I just let go and not compared myself as a mom or my daughter to anyone else. What a wild ride it has been so far — so much laughter and joy!