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Today's Business Highlight: The Mom Market with Devika Knafo

  • rosajaviersales
  • Jun 15
  • 9 min read

Updated: 7 days ago

The Mom Market in Bethlehem
The Mom Market's 75 Vendors

Today’s blog marks the final installment of Season Two of Business Highlight, and we are ending on a high note with The Mom Market!


I had the pleasure of connecting with Devika Knafo, a mother, entrepreneur, and community builder who is helping mothers throughout the Lehigh Valley grow their businesses while navigating the realities of parenthood.


Many small businesses have incredible products, services, and ideas. Often, the biggest challenge is visibility. How do you reach new customers? How do you get your business in front of the people who need it most? Devika saw that challenge and created a solution: The Mom Market.


The Mom Market in Bethlehem
Entrance to The Mom Market

The Mom Market brings together shoppers, entrepreneurs, and community resources from across the Lehigh Valley and beyond. These events create opportunities for small businesses to connect directly with the community while also highlighting resources that support mothers and families.


From lactation consultants and pelvic floor therapists to handmade products, wellness services, financial professionals, and businesses focused on personal and economic growth, The Mom Market showcases a wide variety of local talent and resources under one event.


As Season Two comes to a close, this conversation serves as a reminder that communities thrive when people support one another, share resources, and create opportunities for others to succeed.


Please enjoy the photos, along with my conversation with Devika Knafo and her insights on entrepreneurship, motherhood, community building, and The Mom Market.


The Mom Market in Bethlehem
Welcome!

Business Information:

The Mom Market

Devika Knafo



Meet Devika Knafo & The Mom Market


Rosa: For those discovering you for the first time, can you briefly introduce yourself and share what The Mom Market is?


Devika Knafo
Devika Knafo
The Mom Market in Bethlehem
The Mom Market

Devika: My name is Devika Knafo, and I’m the founder of The Mom Market in the Lehigh Valley, a community-driven marketplace and empowerment hub that I launched in June 2024. The Mom Market is a powerhouse for local connection and economic growth — a curated space that amplifies mom-owned and women-led small businesses. Our markets bring shoppers face-to-face with the makers, dreamers, and doers behind their favorite local brands, turning everyday purchases into direct investments in our community’s economy. Each market not only drives visibility and revenue for local entrepreneurs, but also nurtures a culture of support around women in business, strengthening the fabric of the Valley’s creative and economic

landscape.



Beyond a Market's Experience


Rosa: For someone who has never experienced it, how would you describe what The Mom Market feels like in real life?


Brenda's Handmade Plushies
Brenda's Handmade Plushies
Celestial Shine Cleaning Services
Celestial Shine Cleaning Services

Devika: The Mom Market is electric — it’s vibrant, heartfelt, and alive with purpose. When you walk into one of our markets, you can feel the energy. The Mom Market is truly a full-body experience —mind, body, and spirit. It’s more than a marketplace; it’s a living, breathing community that uplifts and celebrates women through entrepreneurship.



You see women leading, collaborating, and thriving, and that collective energy is what makes it so powerful. The market fills a gap I saw in the Lehigh Valley for supporting women entrepreneurs, while also filling a personal gap for meaningful community and shared growth. It’s a space that feels energizing, supportive, and deeply human.



Growing the Vision


Rosa: Looking back at your 2025 markets, how did that experience evolve into what we see in 2026? What intentional changes or additions did you make?'


Cataleya: Matcha Bar
Cataleya: Matcha Bar

Devika: 2025 was an incredible year for us — we hosted three seasonal markets and saw remarkable growth. Our first event featured 40 visionary women who believed in a brand-new concept and invested in the mission from the start. By year’s end, we had partnered with over 85 women-owned businesses.


Mad Hatter Adventures Travel Company
Mad Hatter Adventures Travel Company

Those early successes taught us the power of intentional growth. Going into 2026, we’ve leaned even deeper into connection — refining our systems, fostering strategic community partnerships, and focusing on cultivating an experience that fuels both revenue and relationships. Our foundation hasn’t changed; it’s been fortified.


Creating Crystals
Creating Crystals

Rosa: As The Mom Market continues to grow, what can we expect to see evolve next?


Devika: Growth for us is about thoughtful expansion — welcoming new businesses, new collaborations, and new experiences. Our upcoming Spring Market on May 17 will feature a dynamic lineup of emerging women-led brands, along with interactive community partnerships and experiences that bring our mission to life.


Define'd Divas
Define'd Divas

Expect your favorite creative collaborations, expanded wellness offerings, and fresh opportunities to connect and celebrate local women in business.



Wellness, Motherhood, Community Support


Rosa: One thing that really stood out was the wellness aspect, it felt like more than a

market. What types of wellness offerings were included, and why was it important to

incorporate elements like postpartum and maternal health support?


Empowered Motherhood Collective
Empowered Motherhood Collective

Devika: Wellness is woven into the fabric of The Mom Market. As women and mothers, we’re constantly pouring energy into others, and I wanted to create a space where our own cups could be refilled, too. Making self-care and support accessible to our community is deeply important to me.


The Cozy Corner Counseling
The Cozy Corner Counseling

Everything is intentionally curated to nurture both personal and professional wellbeing. Beyond beauty and wellness brands, we’ve built collaborations with perinatal healthcare networks, postpartum specialists, mental health advocates, nanny services, physical therapists, and even youth development programs.


St Luke's PT
St Luke's PT

Every partnership is chosen to remind women that caring for themselves isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. By bringing resources like St. Luke’s Physical Therapy and Perinatal Partners into the market, we bridge commerce and community care — offering education, empowerment, and support all under one roof. It’s about meeting women where they are and helping them thrive holistically.


Supporting Women Entrepreneurs



Guidance Wealth Advisors
Guidance Wealth Advisors
Oliver's Nannies
Oliver's Nannies

Devika: The transformation within our vendor community has been incredible. We’re seeing more mothers turn their personal experiences into purpose-driven ventures — creating products and services that genuinely improve lives. The majority of our vendors are mom-owned, and they span everything from handmade artistry and culinary innovation to wellness, postpartum care, and professional services.


Big Brothers/Big Sister Program
Big Brothers/Big Sister Program

What I’m witnessing is a wave of women redefining entrepreneurship — not just to earn income, but to create freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment. This next generation of business owners is leading change from the inside out, and The Mom Market is proud to be their launchpad.


La Madame Biscuit
La Madame Biscuit
Panchita's Kitchen
Panchita's Kitchen

Rosa: How do you curate your vendors to make sure the market feels intentional, supportive, and aligned with your mission?


Devika: Every vendor in The Mom Market is intentionally chosen. I take time to get to know each business owner personally, ensuring that there’s not only product quality but also alignment — alignment with our mission, our values, and our spirit of collaboration. We’re not just another market; we’re a collective movement. Being the facilitator of these relationships is something I hold with immense gratitude, because I believe that when business is built with connection at its core, true community transformation follows.



The Mom Market Starts

the Day with Intention


Rosa: At the 2025 market, the day began with a yoga session that set an intentional tone. Do all of your markets start this way, and how does that shape the overall experience?


Perinatal Partners
Perinatal Partners
Sabrina Morris Photography
Sabrina Morris Photography

Devika: Yes — during the warmer seasons, we open our markets with a community workout or yoga session, and it completely transforms the energy of the day. Starting with movement brings everyone into the present moment — grounded, inspired, and ready to connect. It’s an embodiment of our wellness mission.


We’ve collaborated with incredible partners like Barre3 Lehigh Valley and this season Vibe Power Yoga, and it creates this collective spark that carries through the rest of the event. It’s not just about stretching your body — it’s about opening your mindset for what's possible.


What Moms Really Need


Rosa: Through hosting these markets, what have you learned about what moms actually need, not just as business owners, but as people—and what impact have you seen this space have on them?


Soothing Suds by Steph
Soothing Suds by Steph

Devika: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that every mom — every woman — needs community. In a society that often celebrates independence over interdependence, so many of us carry the weight of having to “do it all” alone. The Mom Market changes that narrative. By curating and connecting women intentionally, we’ve built a network that functions as both a business ecosystem and a support system.



Writing the Way Home
Writing the Way Home

I’ve seen collaborations, friendships, and new ventures blossom out of these events. It’s proof that when women are given space to be seen, supported, and aligned with others on the same path, incredible things happen — for their families, their businesses, and the community around them.


A Community Where Moms Feel Seen


Assisting at the Mom Market
Assisting at the Mom Market

Rosa: After attending this most recent market, one of the biggest takeaways is how supported and seen moms can feel in a space like this. What do you hope every person walks away feeling?


Devika: I hope every visitor — whether a shopper or a vendor — walks away inspired, connected, and proud to be part of something meaningful. I hope visitors leave moved by the authenticity, inspired by the creativity, and reminded that when you support a woman-owned business, you’re fueling a ripple effect of progress. More than anything, I want women to walk away believing in their own capacity to build, connect, and lead. The Mom Market is proof that when women rise together, entire communities are transformed.


The Next Market in 2026


The Kids Market Joins The Mom Market!


The Kids Market Joins The Mom Market!


Businesses Mentioned in this Blog


There were lots of other businesses in this amazing market, however, the ones on this blog were the ones that stood out to me the most.


List of everyone in this blog and their contact information.


Community Resources & Local Businesses


The Mom Market

Founder: Devika Knafo

Services: Vendor markets, small business promotion, community events, family-friendly shopping experiences.



Empowered Motherhood Collective

Owner: Victoria Cruz

Services: Doula support, lactation support, postpartum care, hypnobirthing, craniosacral therapy.



The Cozy Corner

Services: Perinatal mental health counseling, therapy, support for parents and families.



Oliver's Nannies of Lehigh Valley

Services: Professional nanny placement and childcare support.



Guidance Wealth Advisors

Services: Financial planning, wealth management, retirement planning, investment guidance.



Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley

Services: Youth mentorship and community support programs.



St. Luke's Physical Therapy

Services: Physical therapy, rehabilitation, women's health, postpartum recovery.



Perinatal Partners

Services: Perinatal mental health support, counseling, and resources for parents.



Sabrina Morris Photography

Services: Family, maternity, newborn, and lifestyle photography.



Casa del Matcha / Matcha by Cataleya

Services: Specialty matcha beverages, pop-up events, and wellness-focused drink offerings.



Celestial Shine Cleaning Services

Services: Residential and commercial cleaning services.



Mad Hatter Adventures Travel Company

Services: Vacation planning, Disney vacations, cruises, group travel, and personalized travel services.



Define'd Divas

Services: Women's empowerment events, networking, community building, and vendor opportunities.



Brenda's Handmade Plushies

Services: Handmade plush toys and custom plush creations.



Creating Crystals

Services: Handmade jewelry, permanent jewelry, custom pieces, artisan gifts, and pop-up events.


  • Website: https://creatingcrystals.com

  • Instagram: @creatingcrystals

  • Facebook: Creating Crystals

  • Contact: Website contact form or social media messaging


La Madame Biscuit

Services: Gourmet cookies, cookie bouquets, specialty desserts, gifting, and catering.



Panchita's Kitchen

Services: Puerto Rican and Latin catering, baked goods, meal services, and food vendor events.



Soothing Suds by Steph

Services: Handmade soaps, whipped tallow, natural skincare products, deodorants, lotion bars, salves, and bath & body products.



Writing the Way Home

Contact Person: Arielle Arbushites

Services: Writing, storytelling, creative content, community engagement, and personal reflections through multiple media platforms.


  • Facebook: Writing the Way Home

  • Instagram: @ariellearbs

  • YouTube: @Writingthewayhome

  • Substack: Writing the Way Home

  • Portfolio & Links: https://linktr.ee/ariellearbs



Supporting The Mom Market Means Supporting Local Mothers, Families, and Small Businesses.


As Season Two of Business Highlight comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank every professional, business owner, and organization that shared their time, expertise, and passion throughout this journey.


What began as a series focused on supporting parents and families quickly became something much larger. Each conversation highlighted a different piece of the village that helps families navigate pregnancy, postpartum recovery, mental health, childcare, financial planning, wellness, community connection, and the many transitions that come with parenthood.


My hope for this season has always been to make these resources more visible, help families discover support they may not have known existed, and remind parents that they do not have to navigate these experiences alone.


A special thank you to Devika Knafo and The Mom Market for helping bring together so many of the businesses, professionals, and organizations featured throughout this season. The Mom Market serves as a wonderful reminder that community is built through connection, collaboration, and supporting one another.


To everyone who listened, read, shared an interview, attended an event, or supported a local business featured this season: thank you. Your support helps these resources reach the families who need them most.


While Season Two may be ending, the work of strengthening our community continues. I encourage you to explore the businesses and organizations listed above, support local when you can, and continue building connections with the people who make the Lehigh Valley such a special place to call home.


Thank you for being part of this journey.


Business Information:

The Mom Market

Devika Knafo



Rosa Javier Real Estate
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach Realtors



Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Fox & Roach Realtors

Pennsylvania

3465 Nazareth Rd., Suite 103, Easton, PA 18045

484-274-8696 - Cell

610-258-0808 - Phone

610-258-7699 - Fax

Rosa Javier

Fox & Roach Realtors

New Jersey

54 Old Hwy 22, Clinton, NJ 088089

484-274-8696 - Cell

908-735-9700 - Phone


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