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Who is Tess Kossow?
I am Tess Kossow, mother first and foremost. I am an entrepreneur and an author focusing on infertility advocacy through the eyes of a child with my children’s picture book series, “I’m Very Ferris".
I am originally from Midlothian, IL and now live in Geneva, IL. Chicago has always been my home, and I love it. However, my heart belongs to NYC. Central Park is one of my favorite places on Earth. When not working on my business, raising my family, hosting and planning every second of the day, I am a runner (running my first full marathon in NYC this November), I live for my family of Mr. Big (toy Maltese), James Bond (Siamese kitten), husband and best friend Dan, and my heartbeat, my son, Ferris.
I am a foodie (hints my love for Chicago and NY) and my way to relax is with spa treatments, online shopping, and when possible, laying by the pool in Las Vegas (hints why I got married on the Terraza at the Bellagio).
I love what I do and believe in taking risks. Life was meant to be lived, and I never expect anything to be handed to me.
What brought you to write a children's book? How did you choose the name?
When I went back to corporate America, I knew it was a now-or-never-moment to start my own company and become an author. I called my husband and told him that I had an idea, and that he would have to trust me. He told me if anyone could do this, it’s me. I started my company on July 27, 2018, I published my first book of the I’m Very Ferris series in January 2019 and am already working on the second book of the series to be out by the end of this year.
I wanted to incorporate IVF into the title somehow, since that was going to be the theme of the storyline. And then it came to me: I’m Very Ferris, and I never looked back!
How can you relate to other women/men experiencing infertility?
I have been there. I know that every story is different and deserves understanding and respect. I can relate with others who have struggled with knowing that having a baby is not as easy as they thought it would be, and that’s just the start!
But, I do believe that everything happens for a reason. Five years ago, if you asked me if this is where I would be, I would have never believed you. But, infertility has given me, truly, an entire new outlook on life, and my gosh, am I the lucky one now.
What is one thing you would share with other couples in the midst of their journey?
Only you and your partner truly understand and feel the pain and confusion, the excitement and anticipation that you feel when going through infertility and treatments. Be there for each other, no matter what. Cry and lean on each other. Laugh and have faith in what you are doing will work itself out. This isn’t a race, and this is not one person’s fault. You are in this together, and together, you will come out of this OK.
What is one question you wish friends, family or the IF community would ask you?
Why do you think infertility happened to you? Because God knew I could handle it.
What quote(s) inspires you?
“Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” – Steve Jobs
“I want you to remember something, because a lot of times people get nice things and they start to think differently. We got here from hard work, patience and humility. So I want to tell you, don’t ever think that the world owes you anything, because it doesn’t. The world doesn’t owe you a thing.” – Joy Mangano
Tess has generously offered to give away a signed copy of I'm Very Ferris this week! For Giveaway details visit @ibecameyourmama on Instagram.
You can also find a copy of I'm Very Ferris on linktr.ee/tesskossow or Amazon
