It All Started With...

Hey there! 

Thanks for being here; I’m excited to share with you the message behind Hey Ma’am! and the journey that brought it to life. 

Growing up, I struggled with anxiety, even before I understood what it meant. It wasn't until I was 29 that everything came to a head with a mini nervous breakdown. I remember calling my mom, terrified and asking, “What’s wrong with me? I don’t want to feel like this anymore.” The sadness in her voice echoed my own helplessness. Therapy became my lifeline, and with it, I learned the tools to navigate my anxiety. Just as I began to find my way back up, life threw more challenges my way - Covid, the George Floyd movement, and losing my job. It was a chaotic time for everyone, especially for those of us dealing with mental health issues. 

A few months later, I fell in love with someone who struggled with severe depression. As a nurturer and wannabe caretaker, I initially thought I could “fix” him with love and support. But I soon realized that being there for someone with depression wasn’t as simple as making their favorite meal after a bad day or having heart-to-heart talks. While I was grappling with my own struggles, I felt like I needed to ignore them to be “strong” for him. For nearly a year, I immersed myself in research—articles, books, conversations with friends, and even Reddit—to find ways to help. All I wanted was to take away his pain, but I learned that sometimes, just being present is all you can do. 

Eventually, I recognized that I couldn’t pour from an empty cup. I had to prioritize my own well-being. When I stepped back, guilt weighed heavily on me. I felt like I was abandoning someone in pain. And when he tragically lost his battle, that guilt intensified. I grappled with feelings of sadness and shame, unsure of how to share my grief without drawing sympathy. I questioned whether I could use my experiences to create something meaningful without exploiting his pain. I wanted to channel all of this sadness into creativeness, and so Hey Ma’am! was born. 

I have always been inspired by Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS, and I wanted to create something that matters like he has done. I wanted to build a brand that creates rad designs, but also as a way to reconnect with one another and foster a community of support. I believe in the power of conversation and want to help break the stigma surrounding mental health. Through this brand, I aim to encourage openness about our struggles and remind everyone that it's okay to not be okay. But together, we can support one another on our journeys toward healing and understanding. And for every purchase, a portion of the proceeds will go to a mental health foundation, charity, or organization, with a different cause chosen constantly.

I hope these designs bring you joy and that they inspire you to embrace your own story with courage. If you need help, please reach out to someone. I promise we are all happy you are here.

Love Always,
Kayla May✨