By Jen Hirthe
Correspondent
GREEN BAY – What started five years ago as an outlet for an area mom has grown to be a go-to parenting resource spot in the Green Bay and Appleton areas.
Green Bay Area Mom, formerly Green Bay Area Moms Blog, an online parent networking community, was founded in 2016 by Ruth Fameree as a blog, after she said she realized there was a void for groups for parents in the area.
Fameree passed the torch to another local mom, Amanda Lawniczak, who became the new owner in 2019.
Lawniczak said running a business was new to her, but knew it was up to her to make an impact in her community for other moms just like her.
Soon after, Green Bay Area Moms Blog became Green Bay Area Mom, because the “word ‘blog’ didn’t accurately describe what Green Bay Area Mom was all about anymore,” Lawniczak said.
In 2020, the name, logo/look and website was changed.
And in 2021, Jennifer Birschbach, Green Bay Area Mom contributor and events coordinator, joined Lawniczak as co-owner.
The duo hasn’t looked back since.
Specializing in local events, guides, positive parenting support and advice, connections with local businesses and resources, the goal of the online venture is to connect moms and families to resources and each other.
“Green Bay Area Mom started as a way to connect moms to each other and our community.” Birschbach said, “A few small events were hosted each year as Green Bay Area Moms Blog’s following grew.”
In the past year, Lawniczak said the group has grown in terms of the number of events hosted, its social media presence and “we now have merchandise for everyone – shirts, pop sockets, hats, tumblers, water bottles, coffee mugs, can koozies and more.”
This month, the business took another step toward its future growth, by becoming members of the Greater Green Bay Chamber.
The duo said it’s just another way to connect.
“Just like us moms need a community to help us get through the hard times of mothering, businesses thrive better when they can band together and support each other,” Birschbach said, “We wanted to join the Chamber, so that we can connect and learn from other business owners and to give the families in Green Bay the resources they need and want.”
Lawniczak said being Chamber members will also help them connect with new moms that move to the area.
“It will connect us with local businesses to partner with, and gives us the opportunity to serve our community on a greater scale,” she said.
Lawniczak said the group is always looking for other moms to help them expand.
As more things open and people continue to again venture out following months of being cooped up because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said they are looking forward to bringing back more events, such as their Bloom Event for new and expectant mothers, as well as expand on the events they have hosted this year, such as Mama’s Night and Cookies with Santa.
“We are also working to establish monthly playdates, creating new guides to our area, working with our contributors to bring more content and offering support to more of the Green Bay communities.” Birschbach said.
Though the name may suggest it’s a group just for moms, Lawniczak said it includes “moms, dads, dog moms, grandparents, aunts – we strive to be there for all parents.”
“We understand that parenting is hard, and we aim to help make it a little easier with guides to area, camaraderie, events and blog posts that cover many aspects of parenting,” she said.