When I was running Pineapple Collaborative, I often turned to Trinity for business advice. Her insights always went beyond immediate challenges, offering a perspective that felt expansive, almost spiritual. Her wisdom is rooted in a vision of simplicity and beauty, paired with a deliberate commitment to slowing down. As the founder of Golde and a resident of the Hudson Valley, Trinity embodies these values in her daily life—whether through a quiet morning walk, tending to her garden, or savoring the simple pleasure of a warm drink.

In our conversation, I was struck by her reframing of motherhood and entrepreneurship as acts of creativity rather than measures of productivity. She reminds us that true fulfillment isn’t found in business metrics or long hours at a desk, but in the soulful moments that anchor us—cherished time with family, meaningful relationships, and the freedom to simply be.

ATARA: When and how did you decide to be a mother? Did the demands of running a company influence the timing or the way you prepared for motherhood?

TRINITY: I think motherhood happened like most collaborative efforts between Issey and me—we didn't really plan it, we just went with it. It was 2021 when I found out I was pregnant, and we were super excited. We didn't have much of a plan in place, but we decided to enjoy the process. As far as lining it up with work, no, it didn’t really. Ruby was born at a time when Golde was going through big transitions, I was closing a last round of fundraising at seven months pregnant. I wouldn’t say the timing lined up perfectly, but becoming a mother is such a seismic shift that it forces everything else to fall into place. I didn’t feel that way at the time, but in hindsight, I see a distinct before-and-after moment where my entire universe—work and creativity included—shifted with that arrival.

ATARA: How has motherhood reshaped your sense of what it means to succeed, either in work, in life, or both?

TRINITY: Once you start mothering, your perspective on priorities completely changes. There's a culture that says you get kids as a reward after working hard enough, and I think that's a dangerous mindset. It makes no sense biologically and messes with our psyches. Having kids, having a healthy marriage—that is success. We’ve gotten caught up in this idea that success is tied to a certain level of achievement in the marketplace. In reality, that's just what you do to pay bills and support your family and yourself. Creativity can be part of that, or it can emerge elsewhere. Success used to mean a certain number for my business, but now it means something very different.

ATARA: You mentioned the cultural narrative that we should work tirelessly, retire early, and only then start a family. Do you think this stems from how difficult it is to be a working mother in a society that provides little support for caregivers?

TRINITY: I think we're missing a certain soulfulness right now. We worship work. We don't have other spiritual frameworks or deeper senses of purpose, so it becomes all about work. We dress it up in empowering ways, but it's a recent invention tied to this particular global economy. Without deeper meaning, it's easy to misplace where things like mothering or caring for yourself fit in. The priorities are really off. I don’t think the solution is something an office can provide. There’s a deeper spiritual void.

ATARA: You live a creative life—creating a business, designing your home, gardening, cooking, baking. How has motherhood changed how you access creativity? Do you find inspiration in the rhythms of parenting and in moments of stillness?

TRINITY: Yes. In Michael Pollan's "How to Change Your Mind," he compares a child's brain to that of an adult on psychedelics. Kids process the world without shortcuts, seeing everything with fresh eyes. As adults, we label the sky instantly and move on, while kids notice details we miss. All parents I know with kids Ruby's age say their children are obsessed with the moon. They notice it anytime it's out. I realize I never look for it because my brain isn’t as open. Kids remind you of a state of mind you once had—just observing, not rushing from A to B. It's a compelling way to live.

ATARA: My son is also obsessed with the moon…
Golde celebrates wellness, balance, taking care of yourself. Has becoming a mother deepened your connection to Golde's mission? Do you approach wellness differently now?

TRINITY: As a mother, self-care looks very different. The other day, I told my husband, "I'm going to shower. Can you hang with the girls?" and he replied, "Didn't you shower yesterday?" It's a small example, but your availability is limited. It becomes even more important to find moments for yourself, even small ones. Just an extra 30 seconds washing my face and massaging my skin becomes meaningful time for me. It's critical to show up for everyone else in a better way when I care for myself, even briefly.

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ATARA: Has becoming a mother changed how and where you spend your creative energy? What do you say yes to now, and what have you let go of?

TRINITY: I say no a lot more because of time constraints. I can't be everywhere at once. I’m still rediscovering my creativity two and a half years in. Also, my husband and I have to coordinate more for personal creative time. Before kids, if he was doing his thing, I could do mine. Now, someone has to watch the kids. I'm still figuring out how to carve out consistent space for my creativity without feeling guilty.

ATARA: Creativity can take many forms and evolve over time. It’s not always about spending hours painting—it can be as simple as making breakfast. While our kids are young and demand so much of our attention now, they won’t always need us this intensely. Finding creativity in the small, everyday moments is perfectly okay. Are there any rituals that help you stay connected to your creative self, like preparing a meal or making a beautiful jam?

TRINITY: I always take long walks. Every day I walk through my small town, and that's when my brain engages. I also spend a lot of time gardening. Recently, I’ve been growing flowers just for the sake of their beauty, not just edibles. A flower’s purpose is its form and fragrance. Incorporating that into my garden has been a fun, creative process for me.

ATARA: Do you see connections between building Golde and how you've cultivated your home, family, and garden?

TRINITY: I think my style and perspective show up everywhere—my "fingerprints" are on the business, the home, everything. There's spontaneity and a "go with the flow" attitude I bring to all areas of life. Sometimes it benefits the business, sometimes it just keeps everyone on their toes. The main theme is creating space and time to slow down and enjoy. Golde encourages you to take a moment—do a face mask, make a latte—and that mirrors how I approach cooking, gardening, and home life. It's about grounding myself in the present and enjoying it.

ATARA: In this cultural moment, it feels like you must create content to be relevant. How do you manage that pressure while staying grounded and present with your family? Do you ever want to throw your phone away?

TRINITY: I often do! I’ve considered getting a landline. I wonder what this race for relevance is doing to us. It feels like a construction of our economy—if you’re not relevant, you won’t be able to pay your bills. We don’t get to opt out easily. For me, I’ve always liked sharing online. I had a LiveJournal years ago. Back then, it felt easier because there wasn’t so much weight attached. Now there’s the personal brand, the growth, the metrics—it’s heavy. We all feel the urge to be seen and rewarded, and also the urge to hide. I don’t know the solution. Anyone who says they’ve found perfect balance might not be fully honest. I think we’ll wrestle with these diverging interests for as long as the internet exists.

ATARA: What kind of future are you dreaming of for Golde, for your family, for yourself?

TRINITY: I'm dreaming of a future where things flow easily. There's a magic in using your gifts generously and having the world give back to you. Sometimes it's hard to align those tracks because of overthinking, but I want alignment, generosity, and abundant return for everyone.

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• The last book you couldn’t put down: I’ve been reading "Black Elk Speaks," an account of a Native American man witnessing his people's way of life vanish.

• A gift you’re excited about: I received a hinoki cypress pillow. It's filled with small wooden pieces, which sounds odd, but it's fantastic and smells wonderful.

• Go-to comfort dish to eat and cook: Any soup or stew. Just something warm and comforting.

• Song currently on repeat: Gino Paoli, esp "Sapore di Sale"