Superhuman: Jenna Woodhull
We had the pleasure of going behind the scenes with Jenna to learn how she navigates through the intricate balance of her career and motherhood. How does she do it?
Tell us a little about what you do here at Brixton, and about your family.
I have worked with the Brixton family for 10 years now. I am the Senior Vice President of Design & Merchandising. Basically, that means all things product… from the planning/ideation phase, to design and development, all the way through to production, and getting it to our different points of distribution around the world. It’s never, ever, boring!! My husband Sheshwan and I have 2 little nuggets, Cooper Rose who is 5.5 and Bunker Wood is 3.5. I call them the junior and senior pip squeaks. Very curious, opinionated, spirited kids that do not ever stop talking, asking 8 million questions a day, and going a mile a minute. They are high energy and perfect in my eyes.
What does motherhood mean to you?
Very cliché to say, but absolutely everything and more. It is truly a type of love that just makes me feel like a whole human. Being a mom was all I ever wanted, and to be honest, it was a hard, painful road filled with too much heartbreak. It is not something I talk about often, but I find Mother’s Day so bittersweet. There are just so many people whose struggle on this day is amplified, who are just yearning to be a mom, don’t have a mother figure, or are going through loss. As much as Mom’s should be celebrated, I do know how this day can be difficult and am always thinking and hoping for all those struggling through it.
How do you balance mom life, personal and work?
Eek… My least favorite question. Like so many working moms, I am simply always chasing those damn minutes. I have been a severe workaholic my whole life and have always struggled with balance, but having kids does force you to find your own version of it. I really truly believe that time is your most valuable asset, so I just try my best to make every minute count and to be present wherever I am, especially with the nuggets. I think being able to viciously prioritize, having a strong perspective on what is important in life, and being a skilled multi-tasker helps find some sort of balance. I do live with constant mom guilt and wish I could be in two places at once, but I am learning to not beat myself up and just really be there when I am there.
What do you do when you get free time?
I don’t have much personal time or space, but I am totally ok with that. Bunker sleeps on my face and is the true definition of a Velcro child. When I am showering, I usually have one, or both sitting right next to me nonstop talking. I do try to go on a hike once a week, sneak in some exercise to keep my head on straight, even if it is a quick workout at the office or late night. I love the beach, Palm Springs is my calm place, and am always finding an excuse to go to Home Depot for something I don’t need, obsessed with Redfin and looking at every house that gets listed, and am constantly planning vacations that we don’t take. Ha.
What is something you’ve learned from your mother?
I get my work ethic from my mom. She was an elementary grade schoolteacher her whole career and balanced work and motherhood with ease. She has always been the most selfless human and puts everyone else before herself, even to a fault. I think I have learned that we are stronger and more resilient than we give ourselves credit for, and that no matter what, we will be ok. I also learned that she has some sort of hidden source of energy because the lady just doesn’t stop. She is the damn energizer bunny!
Tell us one of your favorite cherished moments with your kids.
I love road trips with the kids. I know that is so many people’s nightmare, but I like that we get to just talk and watch the way their little brains work. We drove to Tahoe over the holidays and had a very long ride back and honestly just loved the uninterrupted time together. It’s so wild to see these little humans grow and evolve and become their own unique personality. I also love one on one time with them. Cooper and Bunker are joined at the hip, but when I do get to spend time with them alone, it is pure joy.
How do your children inspire you, and how do you want to inspire them?
Again - super cliché, but they really do inspire me to be a better person. When you know you have four impressionable eyeballs on you at all times, it makes you want to be the best version of yourself as you know they are soaking it all in. I want to inspire them to be kind to everyone. To know that there are all walks of life, and our differences are what makes us beautiful. I don’t want them to have judgement and find myself always trying to make sure they see the good before they can even notice the bad. I hope that I can always inspire them to be light and bright and just genuinely happy little humans.
What’s the last thing you read, watched, listened to?
A Dog Named Doug is the last thing I read. Hahaha. Really cute story. I haven’t read a book in a while but am about to be living on planes again so will catch up on my reading. I just binged watched some pretty mindless shows that I am too embarrassed to admit getting my brain to shut off at night and have been listening to my old favorites from my childhood… Modest Mouse, Pixies, and a couple of my favorite classics - The Seeds and the Troggs. A little Dr. Dre too.
How would you describe your personal style and what is a wardrobe essential for you?
Vintage classic. I have shopped vintage since I was a kid as I loved the 50s-70s and wished I was born in a different decade. I tend to mix vintage with something a little more modern, but classic and usually finish it off with boots or my red Chloe’s that I have worn to shit for way too many years.
What is your favorite piece from our current collection?
I absolutely love the Sidney Oversized shirt in the classic vertical stripes and our Victory Trouser in the Worn Indigo denim. Super lightweight and perfect for the summer. I’ve also been living in our organic cotton Carefree collection. They are the perfect fitting everyday basics made with the softest premium loose knit fabric. I wear a hat probably 6 days out of 7 so picking just one is impossible. Baseball hats are a go-to right now, our Cohen cowboy, and our new Panama Straw Lopez Bucket which might very well be my absolute favorite hat we have ever made.
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