A stroller blanket changed my mom's life. Now I'm helping her run 7AM Enfant, the business it inspired.

Chana Campora runs 7AM Enfant with her mom. Courtesy of Chana Campora This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Chana Campora, vice president of 7AM Enfant. It has been edited for length and clarity.My mom is a very fashionable, very functional person. When she moved from Paris to New York City for my dad's job, with two young kids, she needed a way to keep us warm in the stroller so she could go about her day.She still tells stories about wrapping me in layers and layers of blankets. As soon as we'd get into a shop, I'd strip them off, and she'd have to do it all again. My mom is utilitarian, so she created a stroller blanket with a zipper that was quick and easy to get me in and out of. Chana Campora's mom invented a blanket for her stroller. Courtesy of Chana Campora She was just trying to lighten her load. Little did we know at the time that she was creating a genius product that would serve so many parents for years to come. More than 20 years later, her business has expanded, but we still use the original five blanket silhouettes she created. It's amazing to see that they're as relevant as ever, and still what parents want and need.I grew up helping with the company, but I wasn't sure I'd joinThe company was my mom's fourth child, and as the oldest daughter, I helped her care for it. At first, she would sew her designs at home; later, we attended trade shows together.I learned the value of hard work from watching my mom. It was meaningful to know that my siblings and I were her source of inspiration. Her premise with 7AM Enfant was simple: to keep us safe and warm, and keep her day going. That's something she's never stopped fighting for. Chana Campora helps run 7AM Enfant with her mother. Courtesy of Chana Campora Although I loved the company, I wasn't sure I'd join the business. I spent five years in LA, studying Spanish and French literature, and getting a master's in anthropology. Being the daughter of immigrants — and speaking four languages — is central to who I am.My mom and I have fun designing togetherWhen I returned to New York, it was clear to me that my mom needed a partner. She'd been a one-woman show for too long. I'd dabbled in other jobs, but realized I needed to join my mother. This was my family company — the thing that matters most to my mom and me — so it made sense that my future would include 7AM Enfant. Chana Campora works with her mom and husband in the company. Courteys of Chana Campora Today, my mom oversees the big-picture decisions for the company. I work on day-to-day operations, acting as the glue between the production and sales phases. My husband works here too, managing our shipments.The most fun is when I get to design with my mom. She's brilliant at not prioritizing fashion or function, but creating a product that blends both. I get to draw on my master's degree — studying people — to understand trends and tastes. Because the brand's core is so well established, we can have a lot of fun playing with colors, prints, and collaborations.Watching my parents chase their dreams shaped meMy parents really fought for the American dream, to do something big for themselves and their children. My dad is originally from Italy, and when they moved here from Paris, New York was the land of opportunity.I so admire what they've been able to do. My mom and I run the company, and my sister and dad work together as celebrity hairstylists. My youngest brother is in school for acting. We're a family of artists.I've seen the highs and lows of immigration and entrepreneurship. When we first came to New York, we lived in a studio apartment. Watching my parents gave me a work ethic and humility that I use today. They showed me that you can be successful in life if you never stop fighting for what you want.It's amazing to watch your parents have a dream. Some parents worry about entrepreneurship disrupting the family, but I've found the opposite: it was so rewarding to see. I treasure the memories of being in my mom's lap while she was designing or answering work emails. Her example is what made me want to chase my own dreams. Read next Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Kelly Burch has been writing about personal finance for more than a decade.She's particularly interested in how finances impact the most intimate parts of a person’s life, from educational and reproductive choices to love, immigration, or estate planning. Kelly has written about these topics personally and explored them with experts, including entrepreneurs, multi-millionaires, financial planners, and more.Kelly is a first-generation college graduate and homeowner who integrates her personal experience creating financial stability into her reporting. She’s a career journalist, with work appearing in “The Washington Post,” “The Chicago Tribune,” “Boston Magazine” and more.Kelly lives in rural New Hampshire with her husband, two children, and two dogs. When she’s not behind her desk, she can be found getting lost in the mountains and lakes around her home.Follow her on Facebook or Twitter, or learn more here. as told to Careers Parenting More