Key Player

An actress, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and mom, Caitlin Crosby gives her all to her personal life and career— and now, to the community. Crosby is the founder of The Giving Keys, which employs those transitioning out of homelessness to make jewelry out of repurposed keys and encourages wearers to give theirs away when they encounter someone who needs each engraved key’s uplifting message.

MINI | Thank you for inviting us into your home! How would you describe the feel?

CAITLIN CROSBY | Tons of my parents vintage furniture hand-me-downs, mixed with some Moroccan flairs and boho accents.

MINI | Do you have a favorite room in your home?

CAITLIN CROSBY | The living room because you have a great view of the Moroccan light fixtures I had added to the kitchen, mixed with the coziest couch and pillows from my favorite interior store, The Joneses. I love laying there after a long day watching shows.

MINI | What are some of your favorite elements in your home? Where did they come from?

CAITLIN CROSBY | Also in the living room, the coolest handmade macramé piece from The Crystal Oak. I love my husband’s and my antique Gibson guitars hanging in our dining room.

MINI | Where do you spend the most time?

CAITLIN CROSBY | Playing in the backyard with [my son] Brave.

MINI | Talk to us about your son’s room! What inspired you when designing his space?

CAITLIN CROSBY | I wanted as much white as possible. I don’t love classic, bright, primary color baby toys and decor, so wanted to try and keep it feeling peaceful and cozy.

MINI | What are your favorite elements in his room?

CAITLIN CROSBY | Definitely his Brave sparkle sign and teepee. His teepee is our secret hiding place together, where we share all our special hopes and dreams with each other.

MINI | How did you decide on your son’s name?

CAITLIN CROSBY | I wanted to name him after one of the words on our key products and my husband mentioned that one, and we were both like, “YES!”

MINI | As a working mom, tell us what a typical work day looks like for you.

CAITLIN CROSBY | I wake up and feed Brave breakfast, read to him, try to teach him some new words, get ready for work, work a full day at the office, drive back home to build Legos with Brave, try to have some quality time with him, make him dinner and a bath, then after putting him down to sleep, I crash and have nothing left!

MINI | Tell us a little about the Giving Keys. How did the brand come to be?

CAITLIN CROSBY | I started it on music tour and sold them at the merchandise tables along with my CDs. I met a young homeless couple and had the idea to start paying them to engrave the positive words onto the products. We have now employed over 100 people that are trying to transition out of homelessness. We are working on new apparel designs to expand into a full fashion and lifestyle brand to hopefully end homelessness with our business.

MINI | What has been your proudest career moment to date?

CAITLIN CROSBY | Being in Oprah’s Super Soul 100.

MINI | What would you say is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?

CAITLIN CROSBY | Not enough time for both motherhood and keeping the business running smoothly. Constantly fighting feeling like I’m failing at both.

MINI | What helps you to juggle motherhood and career?

CAITLIN CROSBY | 10 minute meditations from the Calm app and other working moms to relate to so I know I’m not alone in the struggle.

MINI | Where have you seen the biggest changes in your life since becoming a mom?

CAITLIN CROSBY | Realizing how intentional I need to be about trying to make time for myself to get recharged. I haven’t mastered that one yet. It’s also changed me because I’ve never felt so much love for anything in my life. It made everything else pale in comparison.

MINI | What do you think is the one thing no one really warns you about?

CAITLIN CROSBY | The level of exhaustion from not really being able to rest. Your life doesn’t represent yours anymore unless you work hard on trying to recharge.

MINI | What is your greatest parenting worry?

CAITLIN CROSBY | That when I’m at work, that time away from Brave will negatively effect him.

MINI | Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom?

CAITLIN CROSBY | Definitely. I used to spend more time shopping, but now I just throw on whatever is the easiest thing I can find.

MINI | Where do you like to shop?

CAITLIN CROSBY | Nordstrom, Fred Segal, Ron Robinson, and Urban Outfitters.

MINI | How about your wellness routine? In terms of diet, are there certain things you stick to or stay away from?

CAITLIN CROSBY | I try to do yoga once a week. I try to have one salad a day, stay away from candy and desserts, but I let myself enjoy tons of chips and salsa. I also just started taking adrenal supplements.

MINI | What is most important to you in raising your son?

CAITLIN CROSBY | To teach him respect, care, and empathy of other humans.

MINI | Looking back to your first days as a mom, what advice would you give yourself?

CAITLIN CROSBY | Don’t worry about responding to all those text messages.

MINI | What are your favorite places to take kids in LA? What are a few of your must-do’s or must-visits?

CAITLIN CROSBY | Strollering down Tujunga Village, Woodbridge Park, the Grove, and the beach.

MINI | If you could give your children one piece of advice, what would it be?

CAITLIN CROSBY | Enjoy every moment of this life.

Almond milk latte.

Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser, Dr Hauschka’s Daily Moisturizer.

The new sing-along Peter Rabbit.

Hillsong Spotify.

Enjoy playing with Legos.

Candles and crystals.

Milk and La Croix.

New foodie restaurant and deep conversation with my hubby.

The Happiest Toddler on the Block.

Photography by Emma Feil