Cascia Smith

Founder + Owner

Cascia was born and raised in the Arizona heat. While receiving her Pre-Med degree at HIU in California, a blonde, surfing, skateboarding boy stole her heart. In 2004, she married Chuck and had many adventures living in Arizona, California and Colorado. They now call Simi Valley home and have three wild and curious children - Becker (10), Bodie (7) and Lyla (6). She has been blessed to be a teacher, summer camp staff/program director, SAHM and now the owner of Ventura County Mom Collective. Playing guitar, writing songs, and reading any and every parenting book helps keep her sane and happy! A good cup of coffee or a bubbly La Croix can usually be found in her hand! She tries to live by the motto "I'd rather recover from failure than live with regret.

Alyson Berg

Team Photographer

Alyson Berg Photography is full service fine art portrait studio base in Thousand Oaks, California specializing in maternity, newborn, first year and family portraiture. Alyson believes in providing her clients with an unparalleled experience that allows you to focus on what’s most important, your ever-growing little ones. From wardrobe and professional hair/makeup for your session to installing your finished artwork to be passed down for generations, Alyson takes care of every detail so you can spend your precious extra time focusing on your family.

Jessica Brandon

Contributor

Jessica moved to Ventura less than three years ago from San Diego, where she lived for the past 20 years. Married in 2004 she began a fertility journey to start the family she always dreamed of. In 2007 she lost her husband to a chronic illness. For the next 8 years, now single, she focused on her career and the hope of being a mother someday. Six months before her 40th birthday she decided to manifest her own destiny and she became a Foster parent. Her son Luke (now 7) was placed with her at 14 months old and adopted when he was 4. Once in Ventura Jessica met her partner James, a retired Dermatologist. They dated and quickly became a blended family with James' two adult children Christa and Harrison. In October of 2021 the family received a surprise, Luke had a full biological sister who was 3 days old and she needed a home. Five days later they picked up a sweet tiny girl Ella (22 months) who will, hopefully, be adopted very soon. Jessica has a full-time career as a fundraising events planner, helping nonprofits fulfill their missions with the vital funds needed. She is a singer, and former musical theatre director, but only performs lullabies these days. Her family can be found most Saturdays at the Downtown Farmers Market, lunching at Peirano’s or at the Harbor feeding the birds and having ice cream on a hot day...or any day really.

Katie Ramirez

Contributor

Meet Katie, a dedicated mother to two incredible little girls, 5 and 3. Born and raised in the picturesque town of Ventura, she considers herself blessed to be raising her daughters in the same beautiful place. Her heart belongs to her best friend and high school sweetheart, forming an unbreakable bond that began at Buena and continues to flourish. Katie's journey as a passionate advocate for conscious parenting has led her to become a certified parent coach. Her mission revolves around empowering parents to navigate the intricate yet rewarding journey of parenthood. With a focus on nurturing emotional intelligence, facilitating effective communication, and fostering self-regulation in both parents and children, Katie's approach is rooted in creating harmonious parent-child connections. For Katie, community is everything. She firmly believes that together, we can thrive and evolve on this incredible parenting adventure. Beyond her parenting pursuits, you might spot Katie savoring a cup of coffee at Simones, exploring local parks and trails alongside her little ones, or immersing herself in the wisdom of a compelling personal development book.

Allison Elium

Contributor

Allison lives in Camarillo with her husband and 3-year-old son. When not chasing after her toddler, she works as a speech pathologist at her private practice. Originally a California native, Allison spent 15 years in Austin, TX before returning to SoCal and planting roots in Ventura County. Since moving here, she has loved becoming a part of the community through mom groups, book clubs, park playdates, and local events. You can connect with her online at her blog, Allison Writes (allisonwrites.substack.com).

Tamara Nowlin

Contributor

Tamara was born and raised in Southern California. She obtained her B.A. in Political Science & Sociology from Pepperdine and still identifies enthusiastically with her status as a “Wave.” After undergrad she attended Southern Methodist University Law School in Dallas, Texas. Tamara has resided in Ventura County for the last 12 years where she lives with her two teenage children. In her career she has enjoyed many roles from attorney to school admissions to marketing & legal communications. She is also a life coach and loves to empower and encourage women through her work. Tamara loves to travel, write, go to the beach, eat at fun restaurants, and hang out with her kids. On an average day you will find her with her nose in a book or doing yoga. Tamara is excited to join Ventura Mom’s Collective and contribute to her community in a new way!

Tara Romero

Contributor

Tara is a small town California girl from the Central Valley. She met her best friend turned husband shortly after high school. They met at a Hot Topic, while she was "shopping" at the mall. He was the cute emo kid from Simi Valley that her heart couldn't resist. Nearly twenty years later, they have 3 children ages 13, 8, and 6. Tara is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Personal Trainer, Health Coach, and SAHHM (stay at home homeschooling mom). She attributes her appreciation for witnessing beauty and transformation to leading her to wear many hats. Whether it's changing a hairstyle, one's physique, increasing knowledge or changing one's point of view, she's passionate about helping others become their personal best. When she's not leading a workout or teaching her kids, you'll find her at a local Mexican restaurant (because tacos are life), visiting a museum, hiking, or listening to live music. Tara is proud to be a contributor for the Ventura County Mom Collective. "I hope to encourage more women to honor their bodies and use their personal gifts, so that collectively, we can make a greater impact in this world."

Mary Farah

Contributor

Mary is a California native with a diverse professional background. She's been a theatre tech, event planner, and even a grocery account executive for Ty beanie babies. She launched her website, Along Comes Mary, in 2012 and found her passion is travel writing. Since then, she's had incredible opportunities that include media trips and working on the board of directors for IFWTWA, the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association. Mary lives in Simi Valley with her husband, Michael, their daughter, Mabel, and two adorable dogs.

Tamara Davis

Contributor

Tamara Miller Davis is an author, mother of two kidz with Z names, pet owner, fire captain's wife, substitute teacher, parent club volunteer, dance enthusiast, and U.S. Coast Guard veteran from Michigan. Tamara published her debut book "Despite the Buzz" in 2021. The colorful novel is a cautionary tale about tech's influence. She is a member of three other local writing groups: the Writers and Publishers Network, Ojai Poetry Series, and Ventura County Writers Club. Tamara enjoys reading, rollerblading, downhill skiing, boogie boarding, tubing, kayaking, walking her dog, listening to podcasts, traveling, going to concerts, supporting causes, and finding common ground with a variety of people. She also likes making lists. Tamara appreciates this quote from Stephen King's memoir On Writing: "You must not come lightly to the blank page."

Juliet Tabbara

Contributor

Juliet was born & raised in St. Louis, MO. She moved to Southern CA in 2008 after surviving a long distance relationship with her now husband, who she met in college. They live in TO and have an incredibly strong-minded, smart and silly 5 year old son named Venice & a fur-pup named Pepper. She is a certified health, wellness & nutrition coach and currently has a private practice (Nourish Within Wellness) offering 1:1 coaching. Her love language is quality time. You can find her at the farmers market in Westlake every Sunday, practicing her yogi skills at Westlake Yoga Co, at her fav. family friendly happy hour spots (101 North & The Landing), or at home baking gluten-free, plant-based, refined-sugar free goodies.

Jen Hooper

Contributor

Jen grew up in Simi Valley, singing and dancing both regionally and on screen. While she dreamt of going to Broadway, her body had other ideas, landing her with a decade of ankle operations and lots of recovery. But every storm has its rainbow, and it's in Simi where she met the love of her life, Chris, and has 2 gorgeous daughters - Leiana (10) and Kalea (8). Recently "retired" from her desk job, you'll often find her teaching dance, teaching sourdough classes, leading the PTA at her kids school or harvesting veggies in her huge backyard garden. And don't worry, she still sings in her car, so if you pull up next to her at a light, you might catch a melody or two.

Gia Calista Ilole

Contributor

Gia is a native Californian who has lived all over the state from San Diego to Trinity County, plus Washington DC for a short time. She recently relocated to Ventura County with her family to build a compound property together with her sister’s family so that they could always share wardrobes and parenting responsibilities for their 5 combined children at home. Gia graduated from UCSB with a degree in Linguistics (which she thinks entitles her to make up words). It took her just three years, as she was eager to graduate early to go live with her long distance boyfriend and his toddler daughter at the time. That seemed to work out, as the boyfriend got promoted to husband years ago and her step-daughter promoted her to grandmother recently! Gia’s husband is from East Africa and runs their Bed and Breakfast in Tanzania from near and far. Gia is a Human Resources Director who has a major obsession with watermelon and eggnog lattes, depending on the season.

Mackenzie Robitaille

Contributor

Mackenzie is a full time working mom to one sweet little boy and soon to be baby girl. She was born and raised in Santa Barbara, CA where she met her high school sweetheart. After 10 years together, they finally decided to tie the knot and have now been married for 5 years. Mackenzie and her husband moved to Ventura in the summer of 2020, after living in Long Beach for 6 years, finishing up school and beginning their careers. They had dreamt of moving back, closer to family with the hope to start a family of their own soon after. On the first day of 2022, Mackenzie welcomed her son James into the world. As a family of three, they enjoy trips to local libraries, early morning muffin making, warm days at the beach or pool and Saturday morning farmers market dates with their friends. While juggling being a full time Marketing Director and Mommy, Mackenzie finds joy in the little things; a warm cup of coffee, a brand new book from the local bookstore, a walk around the neighborhood.

Katie Walker

Contributor

Katie is wife to Dave, a full-time mom of three, Korean adoptee, person of faith and lover of written words. She live in Ojai, CA where the hiking is fantastic, the coffee is her favorite and backyard homesteads thrive. Between driving her kids around to all the activities, you can find her mostly at home, watching all the K-dramas, doing all the homework (for her English degree & Korean studies), and drinking all the coffee. Sometimes she cooks and does laundry too.

Daniella Horne

Contributor

Daniella was born and raised in Peru and lived in Florida before joining the Military where she met her husband while stationed in Japan. She is a Veteran and Military Spouse and their new home is Ventura County where they are ready to explore and create new memories. Daniella was chosen as the 2022 Armed Forces Insurance Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Military Spouse of the Year while her family was stationed in Hawaii for her work in the Military community. She is a blogger, freelancer, loves photography, crafting and volunteering. She is a foodie, loves great coffee shops, farmer markets and loves keeping a positive attitude and grateful heart.

Claudia Lam

Contributor

Claudia loves having adventures and being a mom in sunny California. She is grateful to be raising a bicultural child with her funny and loving husband. As the Family Cultural Attaché, Claudia likes to explore an eclectic array of music, food, and entertainment. You can always find her learning something new, reading a page-turner, or making plans for her family. She has lived in Southern California most of her life but has also lived in Mexico and France.

Aimee McKinley

Contributor

I was born and raised in Thousand Oaks. I went off to college in Santa Barbara and met the love of my life, Mac at 19. We then traveled from Costa Rica to Santa Cruz to Sacramento where I finished my bachelors degree at Sacramento State University. We got married in Maui, Hawaii and ended up staying in Hawaii and moving to the island of Oahu. I went back to school for my Master's in Education at Chaminade University on Oahu, then had my 2 boys, Mac Jr and Gavin in Honolulu, Hawaii. After 6 years, we bid farewell to Hawaii and returned to Thousand Oaks. Transitioning from teaching to being a stay-at-home mom, I later ventured into real estate. It has been 14 fulfilling years as a local Realtor, assisting clients in buying and selling properties in our remarkable area! When I am not working, I love to watch my kids play water polo and baseball, travel the world, go to Lake Nacimiento and wakesurf, head to the mountains to snowboard or just hang out with our amazing friends!

Danielle Thomson

Contributor/Social Media

Danielle has been married to her best friend for 5 years and enjoy her life with our 5 kids. She is also a fur mom to two dogs a terrier mix and pug. She has her masters and teaching credential in special education. She worked in the special education field for 10+ years as a teacher, behavior therapist, respite worker and caregiver. She has been a mom for almost 10 years, her oldest is 9 and youngest is 1. She also homeschool a few of her boys. Right now she work as a small business owner of a product based business that brings awareness to Calendula skincare. She created a product called Honey Shine Calendula Salve that has been well loved for almost 4 years.