Here at The Bedford Mom we believe that moms deserve to be recognized and celebrated! This month we are so excited to introduce you to Karen Ayou, a Bedford transplant with roots in British Columbia. Karen has built a full and vibrant life here with her husband David and their two daughters, Madi and Mackenzie. Between cheering from the sidelines, navigating the real estate world as a second-generation Realtor, and preparing to launch her own staging business, Karen brings energy, humor, and heart into everything she does. She’s also passionate about community, connection, and supporting others – whether it’s through her work, volunteering, or simply being there for a fellow mom in need. Read on to learn more about Karen’s favorite local spots, what she loves most about Bedford, and her heartfelt (and hilariously honest) advice for new moms!
Tell us about yourself!
Hi! I’m Karen Ayou—Bedford transplant, Realtor, lover of home staging, and professional sideline cheerleader for two very committed daughters. I live here with my husband David (resident grill master and hockey bag hauler), our daughter Madi (18, off to Bryant University soon to do great things and laundry), and Mackenzie (17, bound for Boston Hockey Academy as a goalie, where she’ll be blocking pucks and inevitably, our weekend plans). We moved to the awesome town of Bedford back in the summer of 2018 from Nanaimo, British Columbia, where we left behind stunning ocean views, a few maple syrup addictions, and the entire metric system.
Tell us about your work!
I’ve been a second-generation Realtor since 2003—which means real estate is basically in my DNA, alongside a weakness for chocolate and clever marketing. These days, I call Keller Williams Metropolitan home, though my real estate journey started long before New Hampshire was on my map. I was lucky enough to be a top producer in Nanaimo, BC, where I had my own office, a rockstar team, and a lot fewer snow shovels. I miss them all dearly—especially the ones who brought in treats. Then 2020 happened. Like many of us, I hit reset. I started over in New Hampshire—new market, new zip code, same passion for helping people. These days, in addition to helping folks find “the one” (house, that is), I volunteer and work part-time as a job coach for an incredible young man with Autism. I also moonlight as a serial furniture re-arranger—because I’m about to launch my own staging business and finally give my obsession with throw pillows a full-time job. At the heart of it all: I love working with people from all walks of life. Whether they need a forever home, a fresh start, or just someone to laugh with during the chaos, I’m here for it—with caffeine in hand and paperwork ready!
What are your favorite local restaurants?
I’m a little biased – I have a Bedford mom friend who owns Blue Mango in Londonderry. The food is delicious, and supporting a local mom basically makes me a hometown hero, right? I also hit Tucker’s for breakfast, mostly because their pancakes are like therapy- if therapy came with maple syrup and a side of bacon. And don’t even get me started on Flight Coffee- those cronuts are practically my emotional support pastry.
What is your favorite way to practice self-care?
I’ll be honest—self-care and I are more “occasional acquaintances” than besties. But every now and then, I sneak away to our backyard, flop dramatically into the hammock like I’ve just survived a minor apocalypse, and let nature do the heavy lifting. Our pond view is therapy, the breeze is free, and if no one bothers me for 12 whole minutes, I consider it a spiritual awakening. It’s in those quiet, bird-chirpy moments that I remember I could survive out here with just snacks and Wi-Fi. Our home is currently for sale, so I’m actually going to miss these few-and far-between moments. Maybe beach meditation is in my future!
What brought you to Bedford?
In a word: marriage. My husband’s from Massachusetts, I’m from British Columbia, and after 15 years of him enjoying mild Canadian bliss, learning how to say “eh” ( and developing very polite hockey opinions ), it was time for a change. We flipped a coin ( not really ), packed up our life, and headed south to Bedford- mostly for the excellent schools, zero income and sales tax and the sweet spot of being an hour from everything: city life, beaches, mountains, and an alarming number of Dunkin’ Donuts.
What is your favorite thing about Bedford?
What do I love about Bedford? Honestly, it’s the people. This town rallies like no other—need a meal train, a snowplow, or someone to help wrangle your runaway golden doodle? Bedford shows up! The community spirit here could power the town if we ever lose electricity. And let’s talk about the banks. You can’t make a left turn without passing one. No one knows why we need 100 of them, but I like to think it’s to store all the good karma this town keeps giving. Add in the charm, the diversity, and a strong chance of running into someone you know in any parking lot, and Bedford’s got my whole heart (and at least three debit cards).
What are your favorite local spots in town?
Favorite Bedford spots? Well, technically, I love Benedictine Park and the Earl Legacy Trail—but I mostly admire them from photos my husband sends me while he’s out walking the dogs. He’s the trailblazer; I’m more the support crew who pretends I “just walked it yesterday.” That said, the walk is peaceful, lovely and the dogs come back tired and usually filthy, so I count that as a shared experience. Joppa Hill Farm is another local gem. It’s ideal for families, birthday parties, and anyone looking to combine fresh air with the faint smell of hay. Plus, there’s something magical about kids trying to chase Dundee, the coolest Ostrich of all time!
What is your best piece of advice for moms who are new in town?
When I first moved to Bedford, I did what any socially awkward, yet motivated mom would do: I joined MOB—Moms of Bedford. (Yes, the name is slightly intimidating. No, there are no matching leather jackets. Yet.) I was determined to help my kids make friends before school started, so I summoned every ounce of courage, ignored the voice in my head that said “this is how cult documentaries start,” and made my first post: Would anyone want to meet up at the park? A few brave souls responded, including the wonderful Wang family—and from that one message, a beautiful, lifelong friendship bloomed. Honestly, Bedford moms are kind, funny, and surprisingly fast at replying to Facebook posts. Put yourself out there, and you’ll find this community is just waiting to welcome you with open arms!
What is your best piece of advice for expecting moms or new moms?
I vividly remember my first nervous breakdown—it had a full cast: a newborn, an 18-month-old, two dogs, one cat, a house on the market with nonstop showings, and, because I enjoy chaos apparently, we were also building our dream home. My husband? Off being a merchant marine, sailing the high seas while I was drowning in diapers and Zillow alerts. It was… a lot. Like “talking to the fridge for emotional support” levels of a lot. The truth is, those early mom days can feel incredibly lonely. You’ve got a tiny human latched to your body, Cheerios permanently affixed to your clothing, and a screaming voice in your head that’s basically just yelling “HELP” on loop. My best advice? Build your village before the baby comes. Moms want to help other moms—it makes us feel needed, generous, and occasionally like we’re winning at life. So if it’s 3 a.m., the baby’s crying, the dog’s thrown up on your only clean blanket, and you’re Googling “can you survive on Goldfish crackers and caffeine”—call me. I’ve been there. I’ll answer. And I’ll probably bring snacks.
In closing, we hope you enjoyed reading this article about Karen! If you’d like to nominate a Bedford mom to be spotlighted, please submit your nomination via email to info@thebedfordmom.com. Thanks so much!