Today we meet a Mama by the name of Desiree Meza. Desi, as she’s more commonly known by her family and friends, is the owner of Bexar Cub Co.
If stacks are something you love, then Desi is DEFINITELY your girl! She offers a ton of variety and truly has something for every lady in the family. If you aren’t sure what stacks are then you should definitely keep reading.
We chatted with this beauty about all things motherhood and how she manages having a full time job, a side business and two kiddos under the age of 5. Check her story and her shop…oh and don’t forget, use code SAMN10 now through May 31st to receive 10% off your order!!!
What is your name how many kids do you have and what are their ages?
Hi moms! My name is Desi Meza and I have two children. My son, Nico, is 4.5 years old and my daughter, Senna, is 18 months.
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in San Antonio?
I am a San Antonio lifer, minus the time I spent in Lubbock, Texas while attending Tech
Tell us a little about your backstory – what did you do before you were a Mom, any schooling – what did you study/degree in?
I was born and raised in San Antonio. I graduated from Madison High School in 2001. After high school, I attended Texas Tech University where I graduated in 2005 with my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Wreck ‘em! I decided to stay at Tech and earn my post-baccalaureate in secondary education and graduated in 2007.
I taught reading in middle school for 5 years in Northside ISD. While teaching, I worked on my Master’s degree in school counseling at Texas A&M-San Antonio. I worked my butt off and graduated with my Master’s in 18 months.
I took my first school counseling job in 2011 at Taft High School where I worked for two years. My dream school was Johnson High School because it was the high school that my neighborhood was zoned for. In 2014, I was hired at Johnson and I have been a proud Johnson Jag ever since!
What is your favorite thing about raising a family in San Antonio?
My favorite thing about raising our family in San Antonio is that both me and my husband’s immediate family are here in town. Both sets of grandparents are a phone call away and I love that our children get to grow up around them.
What do you feel is the greatest gift about being a mom?
The greatest gift about being a mom is watching these two beautiful humans grow up, learn new things, and find joy in the small stuff. They are my daily reminder to slow down, be present, and have fun.
What’s your least favorite “mom” job? (i.e. packing lunches, washing dishes, laundry, bath time, etc.)
Figuring out what my kids are going to eat every day is my least favorite. I wouldn’t exactly call myself a “cook” and my son can be a picky eater. Thankfully, my husband takes on most of the cooking duties. If not, we would probably all starve. Kidding. Kind of.
Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you…
People would be surprised to know that I am not a crafty mom! I can make a darn good stretch bracelet, but that’s where my craft skills end.
Share with us some of your favorite local things to do in San Antonio and/or surrounding areas? (With kiddos or just for mom!)
This last year has pretty much been a wash. We, honestly, haven’t explored many fun family activities in such a long time. In the past, we have enjoyed going to the Doseum and visiting local parks. I look forward to exploring the city again soon and will look out for other mom recs here.
Do you have a family favorite restaurant in the area that the rest of us should know about?
I love La Hacienda! I could eat their cheese enchiladas every day. Bonus points because they have an outdoor play area.
Tell us a mom hack – that makes your life easier?
Snacks are life! I try to pack snacks in my purse wherever we go because a hungry toddler is a moody toddler!
Tell us about your career outside of being a mom? Where are you located (if applicable)? How can people purchase your product?
Outside of being a mom, I am a school counselor and have a side business (Bexar Cub Bracelet Co.) You can purchase my products on my website or you can DM me on Facebook or Instagram for custom orders.
Tell us what your inspiration was behind starting this career and what your mission has been?
I wanted to be a school counselor because I saw such a need for mental health support within our schools. I have always had an easy time building rapport with students and I thought school counseling would be a great fit for me.
As far as Bexar Cub goes, it launched in late June of 2020 as a result of needing a little creative freedom amidst a global pandemic. I have always loved bracelets and accessorizing, but I have a hard time finding bracelets in my size. Bexar Cub offers a variety of affordable and fun bracelets with custom sizing available to fit anyone.
How important are community and honesty in motherhood for you?
Honesty is such an important value to me. I am thankful for all my mama friends who keep it real! Motherhood is such a joy, but it is certainly not always easy. Some of my go-to people are the moms and grandmothers who have already “been there and done that”. I am appreciative of the wisdom they share with me and for the gentle reminders that it’s all going to be all right!
Best advice for moms who stay at home but looking to do “something” (whether that means going back to work or starting their own career from home)
Nike’s slogan is famous for a reason. Just do it!
The first step is usually the hardest and, sometimes, scariest. It’s scary putting yourself out there with the possibility of failure. Starting a business was completely out of my wheelhouse. I don’t have a business degree, web design experience, and I am far from a social media “influencer”. The best advice I can give is to START. Stop dreaming and start doing.
For me, it was a series of baby steps that got me here today. I started by learning how to make stretch bracelets. I watched videos on YouTube and read how-to articles. I created an Instagram account and initially accepted orders via DM. A month or so went by and I decided to research building a website. It seemed overwhelming at first and I put it off for a good 2-3 weeks. Again, there is a pattern here…I needed to get over my jitters and go for it. It ended up being way less complicated than I had built up in my head.
All I can say is if I can do it- you can too!
How important is it for you to have a passion outside of being a mother?
I have a lot of fun with Bexar Cub. Designing bracelets and stringing beads is one of the most relaxing things I have ever done, and it is nice to have something that is just mine. I also think it is perfectly ok if your passion is motherhood. It is the most special and important job title that I will ever receive. To each his own. If you are living your life in a way that makes you happy and brings you fulfillment, then that is all that matters.
Best advice for mom guilt?
Stop. The kids will be fine. Treat yourself the way you treat your loved ones and give yourself the same grace.
Who has most influenced you to be the mom that you are today?
My mom has 100% shaped who I am as a mother. There is too much to type here, but let’s just say that she did it right. She raised me to be confident in myself and my abilities through her encouraging words and selfless spirit. Her arms were always open for a hug (and still are). She has always spoken so positively about me that I think it created a sense of resiliency and the ability to bounce back from tough situations. In high school it was mean girls, in college it was break-ups. Through the challenges in my life, she laid a solid foundation of who I am as a person, my values, and who I am now as a mother.
When parenting gets hard – what’s something you tell yourself that gets you through?
Tough times are temporary. Whatever hard thing is happening, it will not last forever. Lean on your people for support when you need it.
Name one thing you hope your kids look back and remember about their childhood and you as their mama?
I hope they remember the fun we had together as a family, our closeness, and my endless love for them.
Website: https://bexarcub.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bexarcubcrafts/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopbexarcub/
