From Loss to Rediscovery: The Journey of FORK & MELON
Introduction by Erika Hanafin:
Navigating the intersection of motherhood, entrepreneurship, and personal growth is no small feat—yet it’s a journey that countless women embark on with resilience and determination. This guest article by the founder of FORK & MELON captures the essence of that transformation, as she shares her story of loss, rediscovery, and the rebirth of her brand.
Her path—from tackling fertility challenges and career shifts to building a clean beauty brand with a distinct blend of health-consciousness and design-forward innovation—is a testament to the power of following your passion, even when the road feels uncertain. As moms in business, we understand that every step forward, no matter how small, contributes to building something meaningful.
From Loss to Rediscovery: The Journey of FORK & MELON
By Cheryl Fork
I was recently asked by Erika Hanafin, to write a blog about a pivotal moment that shaped my journey as both an entrepreneur and a mom. For me, that moment wasn’t singular—it was a season of identity loss and rediscovery after becoming a mother, and the path back to myself and my brand.
Back in 2018, a few years before my daughter was born, I founded FORK & MELON, a clean luxury soap brand. My husband and I had been navigating fertility challenges, and I became hyper-aware of the products we used at home. I wanted to “detoxify” our environment but found it hard to find hand soap that was both clean and pretty. The healthier hand soap options at the time all seemed to come in a variety of “granola”-type bottles you might find at Whole Foods. Coming from the fashion industry and being aesthetically driven for as long as I can remember, I didn’t want to choose between health and design. Thus, the idea for FORK & MELON was born.
A Mompreneur’s Path
Being laid off from my corporate job was the catalyst to make it happen. I was newly pregnant when I was unexpectedly told that my job was being eliminated. I had planned to take a substantial maternity leave, but suddenly I was scrambling to find a new job and processing the unwanted shift. A few weeks later, I miscarried. I went through a dark, disorienting period that forced me to reflect and reevaluate everything.
Eventually, it led me to do something I hadn’t considered before: set out on a new path and create my own brand. I decided to create soap that felt different—beautiful and thoughtfully made to use on your whole body. I wanted it to feel luxurious but practical, clean and design-forward. I poured myself into creating personal care products that weren’t just healthy and beautiful but also convenient, sustainable, and special. I leaned on knowledge from my prior professional experience, along with instincts and my aesthetic sensibilities, slowly building the business, while my husband and I continued navigating the heartbreak of recurrent miscarriages and failed IVF.
Finally, in late 2021, after more than five years of trying, my husband and I welcomed our miracle baby, our daughter. I was completely consumed by her—by motherhood. Everything else fell to the background. I no longer had bandwidth for marketing or brand-building, but thankfully, the business had the organizational structure to keep running. Loyal customers kept ordering, and new ones trickled in through word of mouth and organic search. The brand stayed active, even as I largely hit pause to focus on motherhood.
Still, it didn’t feel sustainable and lingering questions kept nagging me. What’s next for FORK & MELON? Is this even the right path anymore?
Building a Brand While Navigating the Challenges of Motherhood
Adjusting to motherhood brought its own unique challenges, and it took time before I started to feel like myself again. That “self” was different, though—still me, but now with the added identity of mother. As I worked through breastfeeding struggles, sleep deprivation, and the endless puzzle-solving of new parenthood, my professional identity felt far away. I knew I couldn’t go back to the way things were before, and I wasn’t sure how to move forward. I debated stepping away altogether.
Over time, I began to explore ways to reconnect with myself. I found inspiration in small, stolen moments—listening to podcasts while driving to mommy-and-me classes or during quick showers. Eventually, the fog began to lift, and I started to see a clearer vision for the business and for myself.
One of the first steps was launching my newsletter, Soap As Fashion. It felt like a natural evolution—a way to connect with my audience and share the things that genuinely interest me: fashion, health, beauty, culture, mom life. Rediscovering my love of writing has been very fulfilling, and it’s felt like a way to bring people into the brand in a way that feels authentic to me.
As I got back in touch with what I loved, the bigger picture for FORK & MELON began to take shape. I started to lean into the idea of my brand as “soap for fashion people.” It’s playful, stylish positioning that excites me and helps differentiate us in a crowded market. I’ve written about this evolution more in one of my newsletter issues. It feels exciting, and that excitement is what propels me forward.
The journey hasn’t been linear and there have been several moments of doubt along the way. Finding clarity in my personal and professional direction has been transformative in my sense of motivation and feeling of purpose.
Some lessons I’ve learned from this experience:
Embrace the “not knowing.” Sometimes clarity takes time. Surrendering to uncertainty is hard but often necessary for growth.
Follow what excites you. Move toward the things that light you up, even if they feel small or unrelated. Those sparks often lead somewhere meaningful.
Keep taking small steps. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the big picture, but progress happens incrementally. Consistent small actions build momentum and add up over time. One day you will look back and won’t believe how much you’ve accomplished.
Your path probably won’t be straight. Trust that even detours—whether they’re unexpected jobs or extended time away—are leading you somewhere meaningful. It’s only in hindsight that you see how it all connects.
Know your priorities. It’s tempting to compare yourself to others—other entrepreneurs, other moms—but your path is yours. Focus on what truly matters to you. I wrote about this in more detail here.
Authenticity stands out. Especially now, as technology advances at such a crazy pace, people value things that feel genuine and real. Trust, connection, and things that feel “special” matter more than ever. Authenticity and integrity have always been primary values for me, and FORK & MELON is an extension of that.
Every step, no matter how small, is part of the journey toward building something meaningful and true to who you are. Here’s to finding clarity—wherever you are in the process.
Cheryl’s story is a powerful reminder that the journey of balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and personal growth is never a straight line—but it’s in the twists and turns that we often find our greatest clarity and strength. Cheryl’s journey with FORK & MELON highlights the importance of staying true to your values, embracing the unknown, and letting your passion guide you forward, even when the road feels uncertain. Her story serves as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity that moms bring to the world of business and beyond.
As you navigate your own path—whether as a mompreneur, a dreamer, or someone redefining their purpose—Cheryl’s insights encourage us to trust the process and lean into what excites us. Progress, no matter how incremental, has the power to create something extraordinary when paired with authenticity and determination. Here’s to the courage it takes to keep moving forward, one small step at a time, and to finding the balance that allows us to thrive in all aspects of life.
Let’s celebrate moms by supporting each other’s businesses. If you are in the market for a clean luxury soap brand created for health-conscious individuals with a refined sense of style, pick up something nice at FORK & MELON and follow Cheryl’s journey on IG @forkandmelon.
Looking for more inspiration? Join my newsletter to receive more amazing MOMumental Moments straight to your inbox!
