Designing for Motherhood Without Losing Yourself: How Shafiqah Sarfani Is Redefining the Diaper Bag with Lion & Light

Born from the in-between moments of modern motherhood, Lion & Light is Shafiqah Sarfani’s answer to a quiet but universal need: functionality without sacrificing identity. What started as frustration with bulky diaper backpacks evolved into a brand rooted in intention, style, and lived experience. Inspired by her children — strength and light — Shafiqah designs pieces that grow with women through every chapter of motherhood, reminding moms that ease, confidence, and personal style are not things they have to outgrow.

Hi Shafi, thank you so much for taking the time to connect with us again. We’re so excited for our audience to learn from your wisdom. To start, what was the moment in your own motherhood journey that made you realize there was a real gap in the diaper bag market — and how did that spark the idea for Lion & Light?
The turning point came when my son moved out of the newborn stage and into toddlerhood. I was constantly on the go — quick errands, park dates, playdates — and the bulky diaper backpacks I had relied on no longer fit my lifestyle. At the same time, traditional handbags weren’t functional enough for everything I still needed as a mom.

What really stood out to me was how easy it felt to lose your personal style in the trenches of early motherhood. I didn’t want to feel like becoming a mom meant giving that up. I wanted a bag that felt effortless, intentional, and elevated — something that supported motherhood without erasing the woman carrying it. That realization sparked the idea for Lion & Light and eventually led me to design our first product from the ground up.

The name Lion & Light feels both strong and meaningful. Can you share the story behind the name and how it reflects the heart of the brand?
The name Lion & Light is deeply personal. It was inspired by my children — my son’s name means “lion,” and my daughter’s name means “light.” In many ways, the brand is my legacy to them.

My daughter, especially, was a change agent for me. Becoming a mom again sparked a shift in mindset and lit a fire to build something meaningful that honored both motherhood and identity.

When I became a mom, I felt a strong desire to hold onto who I was while also stepping into this powerful new role. Lion & Light became a reminder that you don’t have to lose yourself to be a great mother — you can be both strong and radiant at the same time. That balance continues to guide how we design our products and how we show up as a brand.

Your flagship Jetsetter Mini Diaper Bag was designed specifically for that “on-the-go” phase of motherhood. How did lived experience guide the design process, and what feedback from moms has mattered most as the product found its audience?
The Jetsetter Mini was designed entirely from lived experience. I paid close attention to what I actually reached for during quick outings — wipes, snacks, a bottle, my phone, wallet — and built the bag around those real, everyday needs. But the design was just as intentional as the function.

From the quilted exterior and gold hardware to the overall high-end look, I wanted the bag to feel elevated — like something you’d want to carry. It was important to me to show that a mom bag can feel luxurious without the luxury price tag.

Some of the most meaningful feedback has come from moms who’ve told me that leaving the house with a baby once felt paralyzing because of how much they had to carry and think about. They’ve shared that this bag gave them the confidence — and the “okay” — to get back out into the world again. Hearing that our product helped someone feel empowered in that season is incredibly validating.

You’re now preparing to launch the Essential Carryall Tote, which feels like a natural next chapter for the brand. What inspired this new product, and how does it reflect the way your community — and their needs — are evolving?
The Essential Carryall Tote was inspired first by my own life — having two kids, longer days, travel, and simply needing to carry more — while still wanting everything to feel intentional and put-together. I needed a bag that could hold more without feeling bulky or purely utilitarian.

At the same time, it reflects what I see happening with our community. As kids grow, moms may carry less baby gear, but they’re juggling more — laptops, tablets, planners, toys, snacks, and everything in between. The tote was designed to meet that reality while staying true to Lion & Light’s foundation of function meeting style.

In many ways, it represents the next chapter of the brand — growing alongside moms as their lives and routines evolve.

Building a product-based business while raising children comes with its own set of challenges. What has that journey been like for you personally, and what lessons have surprised you along the way?
This journey is very much still a work in progress for me. Building a business while raising young children often feels overwhelming, and I don’t think there’s a perfect balance I’ve figured out. There’s a constant mental tug — when I’m with my kids, I’m thinking about the business, and when I’m working, I’m questioning whether I should be with them instead.

What I’m learning is how to give myself grace and take things one step at a time. I’m actively working on building systems that support growth without burnout, but it’s something I’m navigating as I go. Motherhood has made me more intentional and deeply connected to the people I’m designing for — but it’s also taught me that you don’t need to have everything figured out to keep moving forward.

Lion & Light has grown organically through storytelling, community, and word-of-mouth rather than chasing trends. How have you stayed intentional while scaling, and what does “growing thoughtfully” mean to you as a founder?
Staying intentional has meant listening closely — to our customers, our data, and my own instincts. Instead of rushing to launch or chasing trends, I focus on creating products that genuinely solve problems and align with our values.

Growing thoughtfully means expanding at a pace that allows the brand to stay personal and connected. Every decision is filtered through the question: does this truly make life easier or better for the moms we serve? That clarity helps guide growth in a way that feels sustainable and authentic.

As you look ahead, what excites you most about the future of Lion & Light — and how do you hope the brand continues to show up for moms as their lives change beyond the baby years?
What excites me most is continuing to grow alongside our community. Motherhood isn’t static — it evolves — and I want Lion & Light to be there through each chapter, not just the baby years.

On a personal level, one of my dreams is to expand into boutiques and retail spaces. Seeing Lion & Light bags on a shelf would mean the brand has reached moms beyond my little corner of the internet — moms who might not have found us otherwise. Ultimately, I hope the brand continues to show up as a supportive, empowering presence for women as their lives change, reminding them they deserve ease, confidence, and style at every stage.