Each week, we're going to share with you a local mom who we think is awesome. We'll ask her some questions and hear about how she manages life with kids in our area. We hope you'll enjoy getting to know some of our neighbors.

Darci Carlton DeMatteo is the owner of Say Cheese and Thank You in Dobbs Ferry.  She lives in Irvington with with her three children, Levi (13), Griffin (11) and Riley (8). 

1. How do you balance being a mom and working?

Darci believes that it is always a challenge to balance a career and being a mom. Because her job is local and she has an amazing store manager in Jo Turpin, also a working mother, she has flexibility when she needs "to drive carpool, pick up a sick kid, attend a school event or sporting match." 

Keeping true to the saying, "It takes a village," Darci's friends and neighbors often pitch in and help with a pick up or a drop off or watching a kid. 

When her children were younger, it was a bit more challenging but now that the children are older,"they are able to take more responsibility for themselves and they respect my job," she said.

Most local shopping events or stationery expos and gift shows are on the weekends and her children understand that she might need to be away, but she usually tries to be available for them on weekends.

Darci believes she is "lucky to have the support to be able to juggle both being a mom and running the business." 

2. We think your business is a great idea and  would love to hear more it.

Darci started her business, Say Cheese and Thank You in January, 2004 as a home based stationery business. It came out of her love for photography, as she took photos of children and families, mostly for holiday cards and added the stationery piece as a way to compliment the photography business. 

In May, 2004 she attended a stationery show and fell more in love with it and she has "never looked back." She "just loves paper...textures, patterns and unique and creative ways to use it."

In 2005, she moved the business out of her home to Main Street in Irvington to a shared space. 

For Darci, it was a safe way to "test the retail market and see if the business was viable on its own." One year later, she moved out and opened Buttermilk Blue Jeans, a women's clothing store. She also moved Say Cheese and Thank You to a new storefront next to Buttermilk Blue Jeans. For her all of these were "an incredibly invaluable and expensive learning experience."  It was very challenging for Darci to juggle so many new things at the same time. She was responsible for running, managing and buying for two stores, raising three children and squeezing in photography sessions. She adds that "it was a very harrowing and exhausting experience."  The economy helped her realize that something had to change. She closed Buttermilk Blue Jeans and focused on Say Cheese and Thank You. Darci shares "it was the best thing I ever did." 

Darci thinks "one of the most wonderful things we have to offer is consistency and excellent customer service." The manager of the store,  Jo Turpin,  is the "daily sunshine in the store, " and is responsible for keeping everything running smoothly. 

In July of 2011, the store moved to 63 Main Street in Dobbs Ferry. She shares that this "has been the best move for me and the store and we have never looked back." 

Darci really "loves going to work everyday, talking with customers and neighbors and other local people who are all doing the same thing.  Keeping connected to our local community and feeling like what you do and where you go every day provides fulfilment."

If Darci is asked to participate in local fundraisers and community awareness projects, from donating a gift basket of goodies from the store,  a photo session to a silent auction or items for gift bags, she will make every effort to participate. 

She hopes that people will remember to shop local and stop by the store and see the selection at the store. They have a strong custom invitation business and, because of their in-house printing they can turn any invitation, announcement or stationery order around in 24 hours. Follow them onFacebook too to find out about what is new at the store, specials and more. 

3. When you find time for yourself, what do you enjoy doing locally?

You can find Darci eating and drinking with friends in the Rivertowns. She loves being out and seeing lots of familiar faces and relaxing. Her favorite local Irvington spots are Mima, where she "feels at home ...it's like Cheers....where everybody knows your name!" and also Red Hat on the River.  Darci also eats at Cookery in Dobbs, which is right near her Dobbs Ferry store. She also takes pilates in Dobbs and plays tennis throughout Westchester.

4. What are some of your top things to do around Westchester with your family?

Darci enjoys taking her Bernese Mountain Dogs for walks on the Old Croton Aqueduct or around Halsey Pond in Irvington.  If they are "feeling really adventurous, its a trip up to Rockefeller."

5. What is your favorite thing about living in this area?

Darci loves living in Westchester. She's lived in Irvington for 13 1/2 years and says "it allows the flexibility of small town living and close proximity to NYC to enjoy all that it has to offer...museums, theatre, restaurants and concerts."

Is there a question you'd want answered by our Moms featured here? Tell us!

Don't forget to nominate a mom you think is amazing!

Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to elizabeth@patch.com