30 AUGUST 2023 By Rachael Bouley Mom, small business owner, CEO… Michelle Conarty stays busy while wearing all three hats and looks forward to a bright future with her “third baby” – a small business that provides hospital go-bags for new parents. The Arcadia mom behind the brand Lily + Llama knows firsthand how important it is to be prepared for baby’s arrival. While there were exciting moments during Conarty’s pregnancies, and she and her husband were overjoyed to welcome sons Aiden and Austin, she also faced a lot of unknowns. One of the many questions on her mind was what to bring to the hospital when it came time to give birth. From this experience, a new business idea was born. Lily + Llama launched in April 2021, offering curated, pre-packed hospital bags for expecting moms so parents have one less thing to worry about and can rest easy knowing they have necessities on hand. Since then, the small business idea has taken off with an incredible response from parents around the Valley and beyond. “I always had the entrepreneurial itch but waited for the right product and service to provide a solution for people, and I finally found it,” Conarty said. “Expecting parents have a lot to prepare for, between the nursery, strollers, car seats, hospital bags, and everything in between.” The items are packed neatly inside a weekender tote bag and delivered directly to the customer, saving them money and time. Conarty chooses high-quality essentials that new moms and babies can use for a long time, with neutral colors and designs to suit any style. Each product was hand-picked based on personal experience, hours of research, and feedback from other parents. “New moms love our pre-packed hospital bags, and we constantly hear heart-warming responses about how much our products helped,” Conarty said. “We see many returning customers who gift our Lily + Llama bags to other expecting mamas. It makes the perfect baby shower gift.” She said she is proud of her mom- owned, woman-operated business and remains committed to her mission to help all expecting parents, including new and veteran moms throughout the community. “We partner with three nonprofits in the valley: Maggie’s Place, Hope Women’s Center, and Pearce Family Foundation, gifting monthly hospital bags to each organization to help those in need.” Conarty said her business wouldn’t be the same without community support. She explained that many moms appreciate the inclusive clothing (small – 3X) and bundle options. Parents and loved ones can shop individual products or customize a bundle, with robes, nursing bras, sound machines, and car seat covers as a few items up for grabs. She hopes they can expand offerings in the future with more custom products. “It has been amazing watching Lily + Llama grow over the years, based on word of mouth. We continue to listen to our customers and make changes as we go,” she said. lilyandllama.com Mama-owned company preps parents for the big arrival By Melissa Hirschl Ingleside student Elena Leale never expected her world to be turned upside down on Thanksgiving Day in 2019. Elena, her brother and two cousins were in high spirits as they rode to the local park in a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle. The joy of the moment disappeared in a flash as the ATV made a sharp turn and flipped over, pinning Elena’s leg underneath. She had slipped out even though she was wearing a seatbelt. Two firemen who lived nearby witnessed the crash and bolted to the scene. They successfully lifted Elena from under the heavy ATV. The firefighters’ heroic act began a long, arduous three- year attempt to repair Elena’s injuries. She has undergone a dozen surgeries since then, including one in July. In the emergency room of Phoenix Children’s Hospital, doctors went into overdrive to save Elena’s leg. After an initial CAT scan, they began removing dirt and debris. They discovered that Elena had broken her foot and tibia and lost muscle and skin from her calf. “The doctors were saying there was no pulse in her leg, and they did emergency surgery that night,” Pamela, Elena’s mother, said. “Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mohan Belthur then put a rod in.” The next day Elena and her parents were ecstatic to learn that plastic surgeon Dr. Timothy Schaub had discovered an alternative blood flow procedure that would save Elena’s leg. There were daunting, challenging stages of healing ahead, including the meticulous process of grafting skin and muscle from her back and thigh to restructure the leg. During her fifteen-day stay at the hospital, Elena transitioned from physical therapy to using a wheelchair, a walker and an orthopedic boot. Doctors pumped her calves with a saline solution that worked as a balloon to stretch her skin. “When she finally finished the long medical ordeal, she had no limp and a perfect gait,” Pamela said. “It was amazing.” While in the hospital, Elena had unexpected visitors who lifted her spirits – the Phoenix Suns, firefighters, cheerleaders, her teacher, even Santa Clause. Elena was active in the Arcadia Little League Allstars before the accident and seamlessly returned to playing after healing. “The great thing is that she is not limited physically,” Pamela said. “She runs around bases at her softball games like a speed demon!” “Elena is a role model for other kids with similar challenges,” Dr. Schaub said. “She didn’t ask for this to happen, but she has made the most of her recovery because of her determination and outlook on life.” Elena plans to keep playing softball and traveling with family and friends. This past July, she got back on the proverbial horse and rode in her grandfather’s golf cart in Pinetop. “I was scared to go in golf carts after coming home because the accident traumatized me so much. In the hospital I stayed positive, trusted my doctor and got back to school,” Elena said. “It was scary, but I don’t regret the accident happening. It made me stronger and who I am today.” Turning trauma into triumph Elena and her mom, Pamela. PHOTO COURTESY OF PAMELA LEALE Lily and Llama offers ready-to-go hospital bags with the latest products for expecting moms. PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE CONARTY ARCADIA BOUTIQUE PLAY SPACES Time flies after bringing home a baby, and it won’t be long before little ones are crawling, walking and climbing. Boutique play spaces have become an option for parents who want their kids to have fun and practice physical skills with other children. Leo & Luca and Mini Milestones are two such places opening this year. LEO & LUCA opened in late July at 6102 N. 16th St., next door to Burland Jewelry and Lulu Wren Salon. The modern play space caters to children from birth to age 5 with a fun environment that inspires imagination and builds community through play. There is a dedicated space for infants, a mother’s room, a café and a retail wall. Leo & Luca is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. Reservations are required. leoandlucaaz.com MINI MILESTONES play and learning space will open later this year on the southeast corner of 28th St. and Indian School. The space will offer various group classes and sensory playtime based on the idea that every child should be given the grace to grow and explore at their own pace. minimilestones.com