I am sooooo excited to introduce you to my new friend, Erin O’Brien. As I was scrolling my Facebook newsfeed, I noticed this catching t-shirt design. It stopped me in my tracks. Literally, stopped me. I loved, loved, loved the name CHARLOVE. The t-shirt is a simple design, almost a vintage feel with such a fun play on words! I decided to investigate further. The original post was on the Charlotte Kappa Delta Alumnae Chapter page – this was my in. In my head, I am thinking we are not strangers- sending her an email won’t be awkward – she is a KD, too! This gave me the courage to reach out and I am so thrilled that I did. Erin is a super cool mom with an enormous heart. It has been fun getting to know her. The first time we met, we spend the entire morning chatting over coffee and not for one second did I feel like I wasn’t meeting up with an old friend. She is fun. She is witty. Her heart is charitable and she has a great mind for business. Without further ado, I would like to introduce to you, my friend, this week’s Smarty Mom, Erin O’Brien. 
Smarty Mom Stats
Married: Eric O’Brien
Mom of: 7-year old daughter
Neighborhood: Weddington
Hometown: Gastonia
Alma Mater: Appalachian State
Career in previous life: Corporate America
What is CHARLOVE?
Facebook & Instagram.
Charlove is a local Charlotte branded apparel, majority female owned business with a purpose. For each T-Shirt sold, Charlove donates a new, in-branded shirt to a child in need through our Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools partnership.
How did you get started with CHARLOVE and tell us how you came up with that SUPER SMARTY name?
We thought there is really not a cohesive brand in Charlotte with so many transplants, you often see people wearing other cities logos and sports teams, but, not Charlotte. We thought of this cool way to show unity and city pride, by collapsing the Ts in the word Charlotte into a V – which also forms a heart above the logo.
What is your mission with CHARLOTTE? What do you want to accomplish? How do you want CHARLOVE to impact our community?
Our mission is to promote love, unity and city pride while giving back to children in need locally. We hope to positively impact the residents of Charlotte and set a good example for our seven-year old daughter.
What is your biggest challenge with running a business out of your house?
Just space constraints mostly. We have worked out of our home for several years while in Corporate America, so that is something we are used to.
What is your favorite aspect of it?
Talking to people at our events, engaging in our community and helping local children who don’t have new clothing to wear to school.
What keeps you up at night?
We always have new ideas for T-Shirt designs, strategy, etc. Almost every night we wake up and write something down that we’d like to incorporate into Charlove. Sometimes we can’t sleep we are so excited and overwhelmed with all of the things this could be.
Tell us what your typical day looks like.
Getting our daughter off to school, coming home, having coffee. Order fulfillment, product design and ordering, following up with events we are participating in. Calling local businesses to network and sell our product.
What are the most important values that you want to teach your daughter?
To be kind people. not judge and have a good heart.
Favorite book to read to your daughter.
Oh, the places you’ll Go!! I was given this book by my manager while doing my internship and I read her the version that was inscribed for me.
Favorite fall family activity?
Going to the local farm/ pumpkin patch and sitting by the firepit in the backyard and making s’mores.
Favorite GNO (Girls Night Out) spot?
Corkbuzz for dinner.
Favorite date night spot?
Thai 1st at Blakeney, then, going to a movie.
Best book you’ve read lately?
Firestarter. It is about how to define success on your own terms.
TV show you are currently crushing on.
This Is Us
CSP {hearts} Charlove. Check out the little smarties in their t-shirts.
Make a difference in your community. Order a Charlove t-shirt.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CharloveNC/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlovenc/
