Hannah Weil McKinley
Co-Founder of In Kind Magazine
We couldn’t be more excited to feature the always stylish, co-founder of In Kind magazine, Hannah McKinley. Mother, writer and creative consultant, Hannah moved from a long career in editorial to co-founding a magazine that brings women and mothers together through a beautiful, creative community. In Kind’s newsletters are a glimpse into the lives and narration of other inspirational women, and tap into Hannah’s every day, approachable style, with shared personal moments that connect us as parents navigating motherhood.
Mother to Sloane (5) and Sienna (2), Hannah currently lives in San Francisco. Follow her on instagram here, we are devotees of her daily outfit shots and her snippets into the realities (and humor!) of parenthood.
How has motherhood informed your current career path?
I’ve always worked in editorial—I was the fashion director at POPSUGAR and part of that editorial team for over a decade. When I had my first baby, not only did my priorities change—the conversations I was having and the stories I wanted to tell changed, too. I wanted to talk about motherhood, and what I wanted for myself as a mother, more than I wanted to cover celebrity red carpets.
That led me back to a former colleague and friend, Leah Melby Clinton, and together we launched In Kind, a biannual print magazine dedicated to exploring motherhood, style, and living a life that matters. The work we’re doing with In Kind fuels me on another level. It connects me to other mothers and creatives, and connects me more deeply to myself and my purpose—something I’ve been hungry for since I first became a mom.
Tell us something that is bringing you joy as a mother right now.
I have watched in awe as my daughters have been forming their own special relationship. They’re three years apart and I was afraid we had waited too long between babies, that they wouldn’t develop the close kind of connection I share with my older sister (we’re only 18 months apart). It’s been an absolute joy to see how wrong I was—that they love each other and play together, and ask for each other constantly.
Right now, before bedtime, they demand to wear princess dresses over their pajamas. Then, my youngest will ask her older sister to dance with her. I watch them, holding hands and dancing in their bedroom together, beaming at each other. They adore each other, and truly, there’s nothing better.
As an entrepreneur and business owner, any advice or tips you have for someone looking to make a career jump or a risky leap?
As someone who always played it safe—I stayed with the same company for 12 years—I understand, especially with a family, that desire for security, for a job that works with your life. I had all of those feelings, and still do a lot of the time. I think my leap happened almost accidentally—changes professionally that just pushed me to consider the what if? more seriously.
I would say the biggest thing I’ve done in the last year is to stop calling In Kind a passion project. It is, in the sense that I’m passionate about it, but if you don’t give it the credit it deserves, if you don’t start treating it as a business and thinking and strategizing around it in ways that could actually grow it and make it a viable, it never will be.
For a while, Leah and I were both content to let it be that side project, and even if it is in terms of your paying job, rebranding it as real, meaningful work invites you to think about the possibilities. It gives you permission to invest your time and resources to see what could happen, and that can make a huge difference. For me, it already has.
How would you describe your personal style?
I’m a big fashion-meets-function person, and firmly believe that sweatpants can be stylish. While I love heels, beautiful fabrics, long hemlines, and some frills, they don’t work with my day to day. Instead, I’ve embraced the more practical—sweatpants or jeans, topped with a chic trench coat—but I always look for an element to polish off an everyday look. I’m a sucker for a good handbag and a cool pair of sneakers.
What does your typical morning routine look like?
The morning is always a bit of a mad dash, getting my older daughter ready and out the door for school. Since I have a little more flexibility right now, I love dropping her off and staying for morning meetings when I get that special glimpse into her little routine.
After drop off things settle down a bit. I’ll come home, make the bed, and turn to my gratitude journal with a cup of green tea. I take a few minutes to sit and write, sometimes setting an intention or a daily affirmation. If it’s been an off morning or I’m feeling unmotivated, I find that this really serves as a reset—gives me purpose and perspective before I dive into whatever comes next, usually emails and then work for the magazine and the In Kind newsletter. With a full-time job, things were always too hectic to carve out time for a real morning ritual. I was always a bit scattered, jumping right onto Zooms at 8am, but I’ve found this ritual particularly grounding since I’ve been working for myself.
As mothers juggling work and home life, the idea of balance has different meaning for everyone. What does it mean to you?
I think the idea of balance right now is looking at my life really holistically, not day by day. I’m not trying to jam everything all into one day in equal measure. Some days are really dedicated to work, others I’ve carved out just to be with my kids (and nothing else gets done), while some days, I’m more deliberate about getting time to do something just for myself or with my husband.
I’m trying to maintain some flexibility—if my kids really need me, I’m there. I’m also trying not to judge myself for what’s not happening or what didn’t get done. Reminding myself that everything is temporary (especially with kids!) has really given me the perspective to appreciate that every day is going to look a little different, and to be more forgiving and fluid with my idea of balance.
What are you and your family enjoying in your home currently?
We love these PJs (in Bella)! They’re the cutest floral print and super soft and stretchy.
This gratitude journal is an essential part of my morning routine and has made me both grateful and more aware—a powerful tool in shifting perspective.
I’m a big time bath person, and I look forward to a good soak every night before bed. Vertly’s bath salts are clean, infused with CBD for muscle relief, and smell heavenly.
I’ve felt a real call to action about my health lately and felt compelled to find the right supplements to support my system. My sister is a holistic health practitioner and had recommended glutathione supplements to me long ago; these make it really easy to get the important benefits daily.
I adore the entire Super Smalls collection and the whole sentiment behind the brand. Maria Duenas Jacobs is a former accessories editor who is bringing the magic of jewelry to littles with all of her pieces. My girls are currently loving the mermaid-inspired baubles. They also make the best gifts.
Any favorite local spots or activities you love to do with your children?
We love the SF Zoo, the Bay Area discovery museum, and the Academy of Science, and you can catch us pretty much every weekend at both the Marin Country Mart farmers market (Saturdays) and the Clement St. farmers market (Sundays).
