Nurturing the Roots: Why I Chose to Homeschool Aurora and What It Taught Me About Growth

There’s a rhythm to nurturing—one I’ve come to recognize both as a mother and as the founder of NIKKI MAAR. It’s quiet, sometimes unseen work. It’s showing up consistently, protecting the soil before the bloom, listening for what isn’t being said, and responding with patience and intention.

Recently, I made the decision to homeschool my daughter Aurora—for now. It wasn’t a decision rooted in fear or reaction, but one grounded in trust. Trust in my intuition, trust in her unique learning rhythm, and trust in the sacredness of the early stages of becoming. These are the years when identity is tender, where curiosity is still wild and untamed, and where security is formed not just by words, but by presence.

As I’ve settled into this new rhythm with her, I’ve also had to navigate the weight of maintaining momentum at NIKKI MAAR. There are deadlines to meet, formulas to finalize, pitches to submit, and expectations I often place heavily on my own shoulders. Giving myself grace in the midst of it all hasn’t always come easy. I’ve had to learn that nurturing also means allowing room for imperfection—especially when the vision is this personal.

I’ve found that I can’t do it all alone. And I’m not supposed to. Just like Aurora needs a safe environment to thrive, so does the brand I’ve built from scratch. That’s why I’m learning the importance of having a team—not just with talent, but with values. People who believe in the mission, who operate with care, and who understand that speed without soul isn’t sustainable.

When I reflect on how I started NIKKI MAAR, I remember how much I protected it. Before the brand had products on shelves, it had a pulse. It is rooted in care, in ritual, in restoration. I let it breathe before I ever asked it to perform. And now, I’m doing the same with Aurora. I want her to know her voice before the world tells her what to say.

In both journeys, I’ve realized I am the soil. I am the environment. And if I’m not grounded, nourished, and clear—nothing beautiful can grow.

This season has taught me that alignment must come before achievement. That presence is often more powerful than productivity. And that the most beautiful things—whether a child or a company—deserve to be nurtured slowly, lovingly, and with intention.

So, as I navigate this chapter—filled with paint-stained fingers, unhurried mornings, and brand milestones behind the scenes—I am learning to breathe deeper, trust more, and lean into the support of a team that truly sees the vision.

Here’s to nurturing what matters most—until it rises strong enough to stand on its own.

With love,

Nicole Malena-Ntukogu “Rory’s Mom”