CARE BY: Maria Stilov

FOR DANISH, PLEASE CLICK HERE  

WHAT IS YOUR MORNING ROUTINE?

I have two wonderful boys, so our mornings are always busy.
Both need to be woken up, dressed, and have their lunches packed. It takes quite a bit of time to get them fully ready for kindergarten and school :)

Every morning, my boyfriend Niels asks if I would like a cup of coffee, and every morning I say "yes." Even though Niels asks in exactly the same way and at the same time each day, I find it to be a lovely tradition - a perfect way to start the day.

Once we're all ready, either Niels or I take the children to school and kindergarten. Afterward, I head to the Shangies showroom in Østerbro or our warehouse in North Zealand.

HOW DO YOU PREFER TO SPEND AN HOUR IN YOUR OWN COMPANY?

With two small children, it doesn’t happen very often that I get time entirely to myself. Most of my time is spent with my family or my wonderful colleagues.

If I do get a moment to myself, I love taking a walk in Østerbro - preferably along the lakes with a cup of coffee in hand. I enjoy the view, watch people, and reflect on life - and, of course, Shangies.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR SHOWING SELF-LOVE AND PRIORITIZING YOURSELF IN A BUSY DAY?

I love treating myself with a pedicure - it's incredibly relaxing and always a priority for me. I believe it is important to have nice feet, especially since I run a sandal brand.

We also live near a massage place where, fortunately, you don't need an appointment. When I can, I love to visit and relax for an hour.
This is a habit I've kept since my time in Shanghai, where massage is a more common part of daily life.

For me, it’s the perfect way to recharge in a busy day. I just wish it could happen a bit more often :)

HAVE YOU MADE A DECISION IN YOUR LIFE THAT HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY GOOD FOR YOU?

I have made many decisions and taken significant steps that have shaped my journey to where I am today.
One of the biggest was deciding to have our second child. It's heartwarming to see the joy our two boys bring to each other.

I am also incredibly grateful for starting Shangies by Stilov. It has been an educational and rewarding journey in many ways, and it's wonderful to share 'Project Shangies' with my family.

Since the beginning, my parents and my boyfriend have supported me on this journey. My father is familiar with most retailers in North Zealand, as he has delivered many orders to the stores. My mother, being more practical than I am, continues to help with everything from bookkeeping and warehouse organization to assisting with picking and packing orders.

We often rely on my boyfriend's production and design expertise. When we are short-staffed and need to attend two trade fairs simultaneously, Niels steps in to help.

WHAT ADVICE, ON CREATING A LIFE IN BALANCE, WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

I would say that I should have been better at prioritizing my friends.
Moving to Shanghai and living there for seven years unfortunately caused me to lose touch with some of my friends back home in Denmark. The distance was challenging, but I could have made more effort to stay connected with my close friends.

Having good, close friends is so important, and I definitely wish I had more of them in my life.

YOUR BEST TIP FOR A STRONG AND HEALTHY BODY AS WELL AS A MIND IN BALANCE?

Unfortunately, I don't have many recommendations here, but I am open to some great tips :) 

Living with a "Nordjyde" who loves gravy and potatoes makes maintaining a healthy lifestyle a bit challenging.
But I'm actively encouraging him to try lighter, greener options...

Did you always want to start your own business?

No, but it seemed like the next step after my furniture industry job. I really wanted to be independent. I stayed in Shanghai to use my experience and connections.

My first business focused on producing and supplying furniture to Danish companies in Shanghai. We also handled sourcing tasks, which now complement the operations of Shangies quite effectively.

DO YOU HAVE AN EASY BEAUTY TIP THAT WE MAY SHARE?

I've recently fallen in love with facial oils, especially the new one from my friend Maria at Mellow Mind. It's a daily delight for me.
Taking care of my feet is also important to me. If you haven't experienced a pedicure yet, I highly recommend it! :)

IF YOU COULD CHOOSE AN ACTIVITY OF YOUR OWN CHOICE THAT WOULD FILL YOU WITH LOTS OF ENERGY - WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I love how we can integrate Shangies with family vacations - I'm eager to explore more 'Shangies destinations' with my loved ones. When we wake up in places like Bornholm, Fyn, or Mallorca, the boys often ask, "Mom, which store are we visiting today?"

My colleagues at Shangies feel like family too, and it's wonderful to unwind after a busy week with Friday drinks in the showroom. When it's been a while since our last get-together, Herman is usually the first to ask when the next Friday bar will be :)

Shangies by stilov

Shangies by Stilov is a Danish brand founded by Maria Stilov in 2016.
With a clear vision, the brand focuses on crafting stylish and timeless products for the entire family using high-quality, durable, and comfortable materials.

Starting with designing and producing sandals, Shangies has evolved beyond footwear to include bags and accessories.
Their versatile products are designed for year-round use.

Today, Shangies distributes its collections to carefully selected retailers in more than 30 countries.

Click to explore the charming world of Shangies—your feet will thank you for it!