hope&plum, a women-owned baby carrier brand known for inclusive sizing, artist-designed prints, and independent operations, has unveiled a new public mural at its St. Paul warehouse as part of the 2026 Chroma Zone Mural and Art Festival. The mural, titled Matters of Consequence, was created by Minnesota mosaic artist Daniela Bianchini and focuses on connections among women, friendship, community, and the importance of slowing down to be present with one another. It is installed on the exterior wall of the hope&plum building, marking a full-circle moment for the brand: a women-owned business, operating in a women-owned building, with a woman artist behind the work. The mural visually reinforces this message, showing how individual pieces can come together to form a more coherent and meaningful whole.
For hope&plum, the mural is a public expression of values the company has followed since its founding: putting people and parents before profit, paying artists for original work, providing employment with benefits to women, and building a business without private equity or outside investors. "Being a women-owned, women-led, women-funded business in this space is not easy," said Skye Amundsen, co-founder of hope&plum. "We're in an industry where many brands have private equity backing, and that pressure can flatten the humanity, creativity, and responsibility a company has to the families it serves. This mural is a public reminder that women don't have to shrink themselves to build something lasting." The company's purchase of its St. Paul building was part of a long-term commitment to growing intentionally and independently—an extension of its mission to create more women-owned spaces and resist the consolidation of creative, community-centered businesses into anonymous portfolios.
Through Matters of Consequence, Bianchini sought to capture the ordinary but important act of gathering. The mural depicts women coming together in connection, surrounded by color, warmth, and movement. Its message reflects the view that care, creativity, and community are central to building a business in the baby industry. The mural is both a celebration and a statement of direction for hope&plum as it continues to build a baby carrier brand rooted in art, people, and women's empowerment. The artwork can be viewed by the public at the hope&plum warehouse in St. Paul's Creative Enterprise Zone as part of the 2026 Chroma Zone Mural and Art Festival.
The announcement matters because it highlights a growing divide in the baby products industry between independently owned, values-driven brands and those backed by private equity. As consolidation increases, hope&plum's approach—prioritizing ethical production, artist collaborations, and women's employment—offers a counterpoint. The mural not only beautifies the neighborhood but also serves as a visible marker of a business model that seeks to keep decision-making and profits within the community it serves. For readers, this story underscores the impact of consumer choices: supporting women-owned, independent businesses can help sustain local art, fair labor practices, and a more diverse marketplace. The Chroma Zone festival, which runs through October, provides an opportunity for the public to engage with this and other murals in the Creative Enterprise Zone.
