Des Moines Parent Spotlight Cassie Moul Owner of Modern Boudoir

Des Moines Parent Spotlight

by Erin Huiatt

Des Moines Parent Spotlight: Cassie Moul

Cassie Moul and I have crossed paths a few times. I was honored to be her postpartum doula after her little girl was born. I also did a boudoir session with her last summer. Cassie is the sweetest and warmest person. She loves to make other women feel powerful and comfortable in their own skin. Learn more about Cassie’s business, Modern Boudoir and some of her best parenting tips.

Give us a little background of your family and personal life! How many kids do you have? Have you lived in Des Moines all your life?

My husband and I have been married for almost 7 years now! We have a daughter who is 2.5 (Audrey) & 2 cats (Fleur & Knightley). We live in Boone, which isn’t as far from Des Moin as people think it is. I love it because it’s close enough to Ames and DSM while still getting the small town (but not too small) feel! I’m originally from Southern Iowa and moved up this way for college at Iowa State.

What is your business, and what do you do?

I own a photography business called Modern Boudoir. My whole job is to help women feel empowered and see their beauty.

Why did you become a small business owner?

First, I’m pretty sure I inherited the entrepreneur gene from my dad. In college, I wanted to be a wedding planner, but somehow I ended up taking pictures. I made a website for the fun of it 10 years ago & ended up here.

I was working full time at Family Video when I met my husband (and also running my business on the side, back then I was a wedding photographer). It came to a point where I either had to give up my business or quit Family Video because balancing both wasn’t working, especially since we were hoping to start a family soon.

Switching from weddings to just boudoir was a leap of faith I made after quitting FV and it’s been so rewarding while allowing me the flexibility to be home with our daughter.

Where is your favorite place to take your children to play indoors?

I love taking Audrey to libraries – it’s such an easy place to let her explore (especially if they have a great children’s area) and she loves books.

If you’re looking for something more specific, I recently found out about Backyard Adventures open play times and that was a great way to get out energy on a cold day.

Where is your favorite place to take your children to play outdoors?

Any and every park we can find. And the zoo! She’s obsessed with animals! Last summer we took Audrey to the Aquatic Center in Indianola during Tot Time and I’m looking forward to doing that again.

Parent’s day/night out. Describe your perfect parent only day/night out in Des Moines.

I love wandering around East Village. There are so many great shops and I cannot pass up a Zombie Burger shake.

What are some tips on juggling parenthood, working, and personal life?

I feel like you really need to make a commitment to giving time to each aspect of your life. I make an effort to spend time with friends & sometimes just plan a phone date so they don’t get lost in the shuffle. Play dates are my favorite thing because Audrey gets to socialize at the same time that I do.

My husband and I usually spend some time together after Audrey’s in bed. And afterwards, I get work done. We are 100% living the entrepreneur life over here so we can kind of switch back and forth when one of us needs extra time to get stuff done.

What is your number one parenting tip?

Ask for help!

If someone offers, take them up on it if you need it. So many moms take on all the weight by themselves and feel like they have to because they are a mom. So if you are needing a break or could use some encouragement, reach out to friends/family/your village!