That Mama: Lyn Rosmarin of K.Blu Swim

This month we’re chatting to Lyn Rosmarin – mama to a gorgeous little girl, founder of swimwear brand K.BLU Swim and an all-around amazing dame! We talk to Lyn about juggling family and work-life, her top organising tips and her favourite date night spots in the Lion City. 

Can you tell us a little about yourself, your career and your family?
I am Singaporean, a daughter, a wife and a mother. I am also the founder and creative director of K.BLU Swim, a local swimwear line that is crafted from high-quality fabrics and governed by an Asian-design philosophy.

Prior to starting K.BLU Swim, I worked in the finance industry for 12 years, dealing mostly with institutional FX sales. Although I’m no longer in that industry, it holds special memories for me as it’s where I met my husband Trevor, who’s Australian. We have a young daughter, Kenzi, who’s 15 months old and she has brought us so much joy and delight — far more than I ever imagined.

Being a new entrepreneur, I’m extremely fortunate to have a very supportive husband. I feel very loved by both of them and am thankful for their patience and wonderful nightly kisses.

Can you talk us through your career pre- and post-baby?
Working in finance, my pre-baby career was extremely fast-paced and stressful. It was always about meeting targets and constant travelling; it was more high-flying and a large part revolved around socialising and entertaining.

Post-baby, being my own boss allows me to juggle family and work a little better.

The idea of starting a swimwear line had actually been brewing in my mind for years. Being an avid sailor and sea sports enthusiast, I was always on the lookout for swimwear that was both functional and fashionable, but found that most swimwear retailers stocked sizes that were too big for Asian women, and those that did stock smaller sizes often looked drab and uninspiring.

Frustrated by the lack of variety, I finally decided to take that leap of faith and launched K.BLU Swim in May 2014. K.BLU Swim aims to cater to women who are looking for a most customised and elegant fit. It’s an amalgamation of the K in Kenzi (my daughter’s name), and one of my favourite movies, Le Grand Bleu; that movie taught me a lot about passion, determination, courage and perseverance.

Work to me now resonates with family, stability and responsibility.

How has having kids changed the way you define work?
I make it a point to be there when Kenzi wakes up in the morning, and having my own business means I have the flexibility to do that. Unless there’s an urgent meeting, I go into the office only after Kenzi settles. I work both from home and the office. While I try (we all try, don’t we?) not to bring work home, sometimes I do work at night after the baby goes to bed.

How do you save time? What are your organisational tricks and tips?
I work at night when the baby is sleeping.

Prioritising work tasks works best for me. Let’s face it, work is never-ending and it’s almost impossible to finish all the tasks at hand, so to me, the best way forward is to prioritise the tasks, focus and tackle those that are more urgent. Is it absolutely necessary that we reply to all the emails first thing the morning? I don’t think so. I tell this to my team all the time, too; prioritising and focusing leads to efficiency, and everyone gets to go home early!

I wish I had more time for…
Golf.

I always feel saner after….
A good workout.

Favourite activity with the kids in Singapore?
Swimming!

Favourite kid-friendly restaurant in Singapore?
Food for Thought at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The café lounges such as Restaurant Panorama at the Hilton Hotel and Greenhouse at the Ritz-Carlton are pretty kid-friendly, too. 

Favourite family-friendly holiday spot in Asia?
Alila Villas Soori, Bali. We really love the Alila group of hotels. They pay great attention to family needs, and this is especially important to people like us who travel with young children. Plus, we always have a great time there.

Do you have any tips for keeping the romance alive in your relationship?
We make it a point to go for weekend getaways, just the two of us. I enjoy going on golf trips with my husband, and I know that he, too, loves the time spent together.

Favourite date-night restaurants?
CUT by Wolfgang Puck at Marina Bay Sands or L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon at Resorts World Sentosa.

Do you have any tips for aspiring “mamapreneurs” and other working mamas in Singapore?
Research and prioritise; learn to differentiate between the “wants” and concentrate on the “needs”.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received as a parent?
Why put your child in a sling bag when you only get the chance to carry her during her early years? Since then, I’ve only used my baby sling few times.

As a mama I wish I were better at…
Speaking to my daughter more often in French. Having spent two years in France during my schooling days, France holds special memories for me and the French language is so beautiful. 

What’s your favourite family ritual?
Friday night dinners. Friday nights are our dedicated family time so we usually just enjoy dinner at home with family and close friends. 

My favourite moment of the day is…
The morning, when Kenzi wakes up, opens her eyes and smiles when she realises that the first person she sees is me. To me, such moments are priceless.

Thanks Lyn! And a big thank you to the wonderful Kerry Cheah of Red Bus photography for the gorgeous snaps!