By Julia Train
In 2017, Morgan Orlowski was 36 weeks pregnant with her son and feeling lost and confused about motherhood.
So, she created a private Facebook group, called “Motivated Mommies,” for local moms, hoping to connect with others who felt the same.
The group is filled with moms who motivate and help each other, from aiding in job searches to donating medicine to a mother with a sick child.
During a Tylenol shortage at one point, Orlowski posted in the group looking for some because her daughter had an ongoing fever and she couldn’t find the medicine anywhere.
The next thing she knew, people were dropping it off at her house. One person, who was a friend of hers in high school, even mailed her a bottle from Florida without expecting money in return. She has a community of mothers who want the same as she does: to feel heard and less alone which reaches past the internet.
The group, which started with 10 members, has since grown into a thriving community of over 5,000 women, primarily based in Atlantic County. Over time, the group has evolved beyond just an online space, expanding into real-world events that uplift both mothers and women entrepreneurs.
“The group was started as a way for just women [and] mothers, expecting and current, to connect and ask each other questions pertaining to motherhood,” said Orlowski. “And through the years, it just kept growing organically.”
A popular event to emerge from Motivated Mommies are the biannual Sip & Shops, which first launched in November 2023 at the Linwood Country Club. The goal of the event was to provide women-run businesses with a platform for exposure and support while giving attendees a fun, engaging evening out. The first time the event took place, it drew approximately 350 attendees—so many that parking ran out, and even the white wine was depleted.
Since then, the Sip & Shop has continued to grow, with the upcoming fourth installment scheduled for April 3, 2025 at the Seaview Dolce Hotel in Galloway. Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door.
The evolution of
Sip & Shop
Each Sip & Shop event showcases around 40 local businesses, ranging from artisan vendors to service providers. The November 2024 event drew over 400 people, demonstrating the community’s enthusiasm for supporting local women-led businesses. Over time, the event has expanded to include sponsors, photo booths and a variety of engaging vendors—from tarot card readers to handmade jewelry boutiques.
This year’s sponsors include Island Therapy in Somers Point, Nutriamed and Optimal Health in Egg Harbor Township, OCNJ Watersports in Ocean City, Jersey Shore Aesthetics and Wellness in Linwood, Atlantic Medical Imaging, Bright Stars and the Malamut Mortgage Team.
Vendors will feature businesses such as Ry-bandz, known for stylish kids’ headbands and hats, and Ruby Moon Breads, a local favorite for sourdough baked goods.
Giving back to
the community
In addition to supporting small businesses, the event donates a portion of the ticket sales to two nonprofits: She Thrives and Nor’Easter Nick’s Rainy Day Project.
She Thrives is a Linwood-based nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty among single mothers. They offer a 12-week program that provides women with essential skills in budgeting, nutrition, job readiness and more, alongside free childcare to ensure accessibility.
Nor’easter Nick’s Rainy Day Project, founded by local meteorologist Nick Pittman, raises funds to distribute $100 gift cards to families in need during the holiday season.
A growing network
of support
As Motivated Mommies continues to expand, so does the need for additional support. Orlowski now has two helpers: Elizabeth Pritchard and Jacqueline Davis. Pritchard manages graphic design and digital logistics, and Davis works on the event’s coordination and layout.
With Sip & Shop’s increasing popularity, Orlowski is seeking volunteers and additional hands to help bring these events to life.
Beyond the events—like private open gym sessions at Bright Stars—the Motivated Mommies Facebook group continues to help moms in need through acts of kindness, like donating diapers to those in need and keeping up the tradition of the “traveling pumpkin,” a baby-photo tradition passed from mom to mom each fall.
