Mom Entrepreneurs

wanted to get this particular group of women together. They are all entrepreneurs who started their businesses when they were new moms, and we're going to talk about what their journeys have been like and how, if at all, being a mom has made an impact on them as business owners. We've got a lot together. This is a huge topic that I'm super I literally have goosebumps talking about this.

I'm like entrepreneur moms. It just sounds so fucking awesome. Okay, let me introduce today's guest guests plural, that's why we're in the recording studio. We have Sarah Gibson Tuttle, who is the founder and CEO of Olive and June. We have Katerina Schneider, the founder and CEO of Ritual, And we have Angela Sutherland, the co founder and CEO of Umi Service. And we're gonna put links um all on

the cribs, no to all of these amazing businesses. You can really do a deep dive on these awesome ladies. Hi ladies. UM, it's so great to have you here. Thank you guys for being here. Um, let's get into this. Let's talk briefly. Let's all go around and talk briefly about everyone's lives before kids, Like were you already pursuing careers on your own? What areas were you working in? What were your daily schedules? Like, okay, I'll start. So this is angela from you me Hi. So I was

a traditional whole geek. I actually went to school with yeah here, no way, where did you go to school? Brown? I was a math major. She was applied math. It's a super nerdal art. I don't think I've ever met math majors in my life, which goes to show you how small and wow, okay, I'm just we are. It's more like can you find us? Um? Yeah, so I've known her a long time ish but like, um, but anyway,

So I was like sort of traditional nerd path. So I went to you know, like school, was a math major, went into investment banking, and then went to an a management program and then into like private equity. So I've actually always done finance or operations, and so that's like pretty much my background pre launching a company, And so why I launched this company really had to do with

more like what the situation was. Like I wouldn't have ever thought I would go into baby food, tell us like, let's go around, we'll all talk about pre baby and then just go into your business and how you started it,

like grouping them together. I would never have, like, I never would have made the jump if it wasn't something so obvious to me that needed to happen, Like so in my life, So I had a baby, I got pregnant, and I started realizing that there's this period of life called a thousand days that was so important for childhood nutrition. Like basically nothing you do for the rest of your life matters on it comes of nutrition, except this period.

And this period was like you know basically you know conception to h two and that what you give your kid during that period changes their life. And where did you like was that in a book that you read and you all of a sudden just like got obsessed with it and you were like this has nothing to

do with math, and I'm so into it. I'm like a nerd and so I reached researched a lot, and so there's a publication called the Lancet, which is like the n I H O the UK, So the Nationals have Health for the UK and they published it and it's about eight epidemiologists that came together and said, Okay, this period is really important. You know all these like

vitamins and minerals things that happen are super important. So you have genetics that like for me, but you have this period that are epigenetic things that actually change the way that you live the rest of your life based on what you're doing. And so because of that, it really just opened my eyes to how little I knew and like how how much I wanted to know. And so like I'm you know, we're like starving for information.

You want to do the right things for your kids, but you don't know what information you're supposed to get. And this was real and concrete and saying like you know, like get enough of this and this will happen. And you're like, wow, that's something I can do. I can

have real ownership over. And so you know. Similarly, I think you into your life like choosing things that you can do that your real ownership over in our generation is like a gift because you're like, wow, there's I feel so confused by all the information online what can I do or not do? And so this was something for me. I was like I can really do something. And then I started to trying to do it and I was like, wait, what, Like you want me to cook every single meal? And how much was your kid

when you started this? She was seven months, so it's seven months. You just started the idea of giving her solid foods, and you were like, I went into this deep dive with the how UK system works and all the research, and you were like, I'm going to start a business. Yeah, I started research with this small baby. Yeah. I started research before I was a pre datal and I was like, thinking I was going to cook it. So then I was like, so this is great. I have all this research. I'm ready to go. And I

was like, I'm gonna make all this stuff. And I started to do that, and I'm like, oh my lord, this is terrible. Nobody wants. Nobody wants to do that because you think you do. I never thought, and then you never thought I did, so I think you think and then you're like, no, I really don't like to know everything they're supposed to be getting to be, like are you getting in a vitamin A? Like are you?

It's like you're never going to know, and then you make a ton of it and you freeze it, and also your freezer is full of these little like frozen dots and I don't know what I did, and like I blacked out and made a lot of food and like, but then that's just not a way to live because I wanted to work too, and I wanted to be productive, and I also wanted to be present for my children and like like have time for like what am I supposed to be doing? Like with them playing and all

of these things? Like I was like, how does this not exist? Did you feel so driven to start your own company, be your own boss, to make your own hours, to be spend more time with your kids or was

it just so you were so passionate about the idea. Yeah, so I almost wish that were the case, because then I probably wouldn't have done it, because you don't realize that when you what you give up, when you start a company, Like it's like it's not your own hours, it's actually like eight times the amount of hours, you know. So it's like you think that you're, oh, it's gonna be flexible in this baby. It's like flexible, that'll FaceTime

my baby when I love to. Like it's like there, it's you're giving up so much to start a business, you know, and so much of yourself and it's like you're basically having another baby. And so I and I say that because not to like to tear anyone from doing it, but just to know, like you do it because you love it, right, you just like it's something else you love, and so you're you're deciding to put all your energy into this other thing. Um, I like

that idea. You said you had two babies, Like it's like, yeah, I totally understand that. Um. I also think you do it because you want to touch other people's lives. Like when Angela launched you Me, which wasn't named me, then, um, there was a beta there, this is Sarah. There was a beta. Um this is Sarah June and they did a beta testing and they sent me the product and like that changed my life because I was able to

work and feed my child this amazing food. And so I think Angel did it because she loved it and she cares so much deeply about the subject in the topic. But you also do it because you want to change people's lives and help. I wouldn't have been able to work at the pace I was working without without you Me. For Me, I was going to say that you Me really contributes to female empowerment in such a big way. I had my first kid without you that I had my second kid with you Me, and it just provided

so much flexibility. And I think that the impact that companies like that are having in the world is like and just so you guys know, you mean as a food it's an amazing food delivery service for baby food

and things like that. That they're getting all of the health and nutrients, which I felt was probably a huge weight off your shoulders if you couldn't be home actually cooking the food yourself, knowing that what was left in the fridge for whoever to give to them while you were running your new businesses was providing nourishment and really good choices because we're yeah, this is one hell of a type of room that you didn't have to worry.

You could come home and literally like feed your child and it was immediate and you never had to worry about it. People thought I was getting paid. It was like, I think four sponsored ads resting, but and I was clearly not getting paid. And they were like, I don't understand why we're posting so much about this company. And I was like, she's literally changing my life, Like this

is amazing, wonderful to hear. Can you tell me, Um, Sarah about Olive in June and when you started it and why, what your life looked like, what did you work before? Did you work through your pregnancy? Tell me about that. It's a little hard to go after Angela Um after that intro, but I'm happy to talk about nails. Um.

Nails are also very empowering and creative and artistic. I mean, at this point, like nails are like and honestly, the first time I left my baby, and I'm probably going to bet that a lot of moms I know, the first time I left my baby with someone was to just like get my nails and yeah, because I was like that's an hour and I feel like I need to treat myself. But I also don't know who I

am anymore and I don't want to. You know, caught my baby's face open with like bad nails, and I'm you know, you're like a mess, and it's just someone can take care of you. You feel complete? Yes, so tell us about we get that. A lot of people are like, I have one hour and I just want to get a manny petty um. So so I actually so. I started all of in June. My background is somewhat similar to Angela, although a little less smart. UM. I

went to Colgate and I was a philosophy major. I thought, for a hot second I wanted to be a lawyer, but I started working on a trading desk UM at JPMorgan and so I kind of worked at the other side of the business, much more of the social um client service like have fun, go out really late type of business UM. And I do that for ten years and and I like learned client service so intensely so and something that I love doing. And at some point I was like, I do not want to do this anymore.

I don't want to live in New York anymore. I want to live in l A. I like the sunshine, such a type of person that I feel like it's a really good balance for me to live here. Um. We feel very similar on that because I'm from New York born raised, and I came here and I was like, oh, I didn't do that because of traffic. Wow, It's like I just chill out. It's like it's like CBD. But yes,

I agreed, agreed, agreed, yes, perfect end quote exactly. And so um, I started researching where where where I would work and actually that's how I met my now husband. Um. I did a bunch of informational interviews and entertainment. Um. And and actually my husband works with Angela's brother in law. So this is a really small group. Wow. Back also like all friends and you're like, yeah, I can start my own business like she did it. Like if I was around you guys, I feel like I could maybe

do that. You're making me feel very this is awesome, I mean if yeah exactly. Um. And So basically what I fell in love with dry Bar I like, um, and now it's crazy that Ali's one of my closest friends because I feel like it was such a fan girl for such a long time. UM, and I just fell in love with the model. I loved what they were offering. I love there was affordable price point and

I love nails. So I had this moment where I said to my now husband, like, I'm going to do the dry bar for nails, Like this just makes so much sense, and there's no national nail chain and I feel so good about this. UM And it was super inspired And we can get into later like what that looks like today because it's a little bit different, we're shifting into products. But UM, but I that was my initial idea. And I opened this song on before I was actually I think I was engaged, so before I

was married and had a kid. UM. But then I had I had no about three months before I opened the second location UM, and it was insane. We had to like move the opening to after I had her because I just literally physically couldn't do it. Um. But

it was so it was really really hard. UM. But I was so like, I'm so passionate about making people's lives better and like what that looks like and for me, always having my nails that makes you feel like you can fill in the blank of what that word is, but for me, it just feels like you feel completely feel like ready to take on the world. I'm a very like I'm currently in the swectwort and jeans like that's my like vibe and so having my nails and feel so good. Um, I'm taking a break this week

and I hate it. I hate every minute of it. I'm like, get polished on my nail. You don't really have all the creative stuff sometimes the rhind stones and stuff. Well, we have nail or stickers, which I think are like the cute version. Yeah, I love them. Um, and so if I'm doing designs, I'm doing other hand painted by the manicarister. I'm doing those stickers. But but I always like my nails are always done and um and so so transitioning with a child, like honestly, companies like Angela's

like that made my life easier. Um, were like my blowing like it was. There was nothing better than being able to come home and actually engage with your child and not feel like, oh I have to go make the smeil or I have to go do certain things. And so I'm I'm very grateful for that because I don't think because I to Angela's point, you don't take any time off. I didn't take one day of maternity leave like I constantly we closed our first round of

funding when I was in the hospital. Term like going over while I was a lamor just doesn't stop and they don't care, like did you have any like were you also? I don't know why I keep coming back to this, but where you like, I'm going to be my own boss and I'm gonna be able to see my kid. Is that something that you fake yourself into or you knew? Oh, I think I thought that that

was going to be the case. I mean I do think the one thing is like working in finance, Like working where I worked, it was like a seven am two you know, you go out almost every night, so so that was a long day and you can't leave because you're tied to the desk because of the markets are going. It's not like it's it's project based or

meeting based. Um. So I absolutely see my daughter now more than I would see her as I can walk from home like if I need to, or I can go she's a blood drive, I can go at her school. I can go. Um and I could not. There's no way I could do that at my previous job. But it means I worked till three in the morning. That night, like I have to the work doesn't go away, and I care more about the work now than ever, so you have to balance. And I worked seven days a week. God,

oh god, you guys are very impressive. It's so funny someone I've posted on my Instagram that like I was having a bad day or that like I was working tons and someone gave me you back there, like we don't actually want to see that because we believe your life is so glamorous that like we don't want to know, Like they didn't want to know. And I thought to myself, this is so funny because people they think that the life we're living is so fantastic, but like we are

working all of the time. Well, I will say that, like like Elvin June was like the beginning of like Instagram destination place, you know, like she really was at the forefront of like mommy are getting my nails done and I'm gonna take a post that it's right. It's like it's like you're I'm hearing my nails and and it's like an experience or like she sort of manifested her dream of like I want this to be a place that you go and relax and like it's like

what she feels. And so I think that's why she is so influential and people go to her and like she really is. Like people were like saying, oh my goodness, like please don't post a great life because I think like it's part of this, like you know, swoop away, like to bring me to another place, and that honestly, like even like sort of spells out what we do

and his company and like what people look for. It's like you have to realize she was like at the forefront of sort of deciding like what people wanted this experience, and I think that that's why. I think like people looked at her fore and experience like wait a minute, that's not the experience I wanted. I don't want to see you at ten at ten p m. With your manny on your keyboard. Not interesting. Cat. Tell us your your origin story of your lovely company ritual. Yeah, for sure.

So I started the company when I was four months pregnant.

My background very simie to Angela's. I don't know why I have to sing that, but in investment banking, I was at Lehman Brothers all the way through the collapse and then got into the startup World, became the chief of staff to the CEO of Universal Music, head of innovation there, then met Troy Carter along the way, who was Lady Gaga's manager, became the head of innovation at his company, and then ran his investment fund of over seventies startups, everything from Uber to drop box where people

spotify and and then got pregnant and life changed forever, and for me, my journey started when you know, I've always been passionate about health and kind of what I was putting in and on my body, But when you get pregnant, it's like a whole other caliber. You really become very aware of what's in lotions and what's in deodorants,

and what's in all of this stuff. Yeah, exactly, And so I kind of went through a clearing phase, got rid of deodorance, toothpaste, sunscreens, cleaning supplies, all my husband's stuff. I know, I remember telling him, do not spray your cologne within I got outside the house, if you're going to do this. I remember that on Scandal because I was pregnant and I didn't want to tell anyone, but like the amount of hair spray that is in the

makeup trailers. I mean, for all, you know, if you're doing ten women at once in a tiny closed space, I was like, oh shit, like oh my god, like this is just gonna go. This is oh yeah, I would cover my face. It was so in saying. I don't know if it actually did anything, but exactly so that's where you got the idea. That's where I got the idea. I started to kind of look at my prenatal vitamin. I turned it turned it around me. I was always trying to find the best version of everything.

But when I actually dug deeper about on the ingredients that was in my prenatal I was pretty horrified and confused and was in this search for something better. You know, I realized, you know, the same with Angela did a deep dive in research, and ingredients was something that was we didn't ever question before. We questioned what we were eating, like where was the kale and our salad coming from? We could find that out. Or if your chicken you know,

you know where the who the chickens playing with? Right? But why not question what we're ingesting every single day for our pregnancy or beyond that? And so one of you know, an interesting fact I found was over a third of women have a genetic variation where they can't even properly utilize synthetic fulight full of acid that's in ninety plus for son of prenatals. And so one of the things we did as a company is we use methylated folli that bypasses genetic variations. We really go above

and beyond searching for for better ingredients. So these D three from wild harvested like, and we use omega three's from micrology, and we my background and technology kind of allowed me to really show where those things were coming from and why and go really deep which wasn't done before. That's amazing, It's so cool. Um do you think that go back to I feel like you guys were all

very influenced by your pregnancies. I mean one, I mean ritual for sure, and you me and also I mean again, like I just feel like women and pregnant women, Like I remember going to the manicurist and being like, am I allowed to have like regular nail polish on? You know what I mean? Because there's like non toxic, like are you allowed to have that stuff? You become much

more aware than you ever did before. Did you guys find when you started looking for funding and things like that, did you encounter skepticism because you were a woman, because you were pregnant? I mean today today we've raised for over forty million dollars and just closed with the ground. Yeah, we just announced the big round. Yes, yes, it means

a lot of work ahead, but yeah. So the first round of funding was me four months pregnant, going to Silicon Valley and investors and I had a really well known investor UM that I went to, and you know, I was questioning them like do I tell them that I'm pregnant from the first meeting or do I tell them I'm pregnant in the second meeting? Like, you know, transparency is obviously our brand ether this, so I want to be honest, but I don't want to be dinged

for that UM. So I decided to be just completely up front. And I went into this really well known investor's office and I was like, all right, so I'm going to start a prenatal company or a vitamin company. I'm going to reinvent the vitamin and I'm pregnant. And he's like, oh uh, well, you have two choices. You can either start a family or you can have a company, but you there's no way you can do both. Well, Um, so I am literally every hair on my body just

stood up. That's a good way. That's awesome yourself? Did that? Did you feel held back or did you feel like that was fire? Total fire? Yeah? You just were like watch me? Yeah? Um did anyone I do? Either of you? Sarah Angela? Did you have this? Sucks? It's like it's also compounded I think with like some of the industries that we chose, Like I think, um partially, like at least vitamins can be like for everybody, Like, but if you were like specifically prenatal like nails, you know, baby food,

it is a an industry. Those are industries that like or women dominated, only four women out of the times, and like even like your vitamins are also like women focused, do I think it's yeah, not just prenatals so like, but like so when you're doing that, there's also this like they don't understand the market problem, so they like think how big is that market? You know, who's that really for? And so there's all these questions just just on that alone. So like compound that with you going

in pregnant like or which I was. It was like I was like fundraising for a pregnant and then it's like then they like they question everything, like so do you want to do this because it's like a hobby for you? Like do you think this is a lifestyle business? What does that mean? What is that like business that you just want to pay for your lifestylef with? And I'm like I'm I'm coming from investment banking. I'm giving

up a ton of money to do this. I'm not completely not an idiot about this, Like I It's gonna be huge, trust me, Like what do you ask the person that started Gerber like this lifestyle for you? You know what I mean? Like, you didn't ask that? So do you think they asked me that question? Was like Sally cancer? Was that just like a lifestyle thing? It's like these are huge things in the world, Like why are you then asking me, like, well, how big is the market? Do you think this is a big thing?

It's like this is huge, but like that's immediately like the first thing that they think of because of like you're a woman, and it's like a very women run a woman like business. You know, it's like four women you know, like and then on top of that being pregnant, it's like the first things like, oh, so how much time are you going to take off? Do you think or like where you guys asked that, Yeah, I mean I was, so are you planning on taking a maternity leave?

It was almost like this like a roundabout way like when is that launch of this thing? And like and trying to see if you will, but like I was, like I had a baby. When I did it, I took zero time off. I'm taking zero time off now. I'm literally like it was like in labor, not kidding this, like it's my second It's fine sending Excel sheets like to like close up like the due diligence and like

I'm not taking time off. And if I were, do you think that I wasn't capable will of like making sure that the team is there, you know what I mean? Like that you can trust a guy to have done that, but I wouldn't have done that. Like it's like the question has become much more like you know pointed like like because you're a woman, because you're pregnant, that probably you weren't capable of this. And so it's not even just like the question of like are you going to

take time off? Like were you even capable of setting up a company that wouldn't you know like that like that couldn't sustain that. And I think that's actually even more hurtful in some ways. So this is so fascinating to me and so upsetting. I mean, I know it's there, like I know, but I just really like to live in my bubble. I have, like, actually I have a couple of thoughts. I had the similar experiences I also had UM when I wasn't pregnant. UM. I sat in

a room with someone. It was the second round of fundraising, and I had probably been talking for forty five minutes. And anyone that gets in the room with me for five minutes knows that I'm like kind of a killer and like we'll do anything and like we'll scalp any wall and break through anything to do get it done. And I'm a sole founder, so like, I mean, it's just like I feel like you get my energy immediately. We've been talking for forty five minutes, and so he

basically knew everything about me at that point. And then he was like so he's like so at the end, he's like, so, let me just ask you a question. So like, given where you're from, which from Connecticut, Given where you're from, and your father was worked in finance and your husband works in entertainment, Like why do you

want to do this business? And I literally was like if I've spent forty five like I looked at I said, if I haven't convinced you that I'm going to basically take over, then I'm going to innovate on the nil world.

We're going to change the industry forever. I don't know that I have anything else to answer that, like if you think I'm a kid from like my dad has funded zero part of this business, my husband has spending zero part of this business, Like I've done everything with my savings and raised money, like this is my second round.

I literally was like I don't even have an answer for you, Like I was like conversations over and I told my actually told my first investor, my first big investor in the first round, and he was like, they would never have asked the man that, Like, and this is an investor who I think is a pretty traditional person. Like I think probably I could have said some of the crazy things we just heard, And was the person

who's pushing me to take a maternity leave. Like, I think there are wonderful investors out there, but I just think there are some that just I can't see pass their own experiences and it's really pathetic. Do you guys, are there any lessons that you guys have learned starting businesses that you feel like applied to parenthood? Are they the same? I love that this thing you made about they're all your babies right, so much patience. So one thing I will I don't have a lot of that

takeaway is that like it's asking for help. So I had a very hard time. I mean I'm very type A welcome to the podcast of type. So I'd like to make sure that everything's done right and like all the way to the end. And you know, but the difference between like a mom and pop shop and a huge company is that you're actually able to find people to replace you. That's like, you know, full stop. You can have a huge mom pop company, like very huge, but then it ceases to exist when the mom or

dad leaves. Right, that can't be in a company and that can't be at home, Like you got to figure out a way to support you and your vision in both places, and so you have to ask for help. Like so, if that's like family or like nanny's or schools, try to figure it out. If it works, that's like getting a number two and number three helping you out. Get to figure it out, because like, it can't just be you, and you have to learn that, like again,

in both places. And so maybe it's something I learned from home that I had to apply to work, or work that I applayed at home, but I started. You started soon realize if it is just you, it actually won't be as successful. And so, yeah, you can't grow. Carrie Washington always says this bally thing to me. She was always like, if you're spending all of your time maintaining,

you're never going to grow. Like, if you spend all of your days just in reaction to emails and things that are coming forward and maintaining and just holding on and maintaining, it might be time to ask for help, get people around you to help, whether that's in your home life or your work life or whatever, because then you will finally have space to grow. Um, I think that's brilliant. Do you and you guys agree? Cat Zarah, Yeah, our CFO c O constantly is like your time efficiency

is everything. So she pushed me to put a lot of my personal stuff on our assistant and it's very hard for me to do. But then I focus either on my home life or my work life, and I'm so much more efficient. I read a book UM called essential is Um and I'm I've heard about this. We should put a link on that came to and it just focus on essentially have like one to two missions

and that's all you care about. And I try to do that at home, like I'm like, all I care about is like spending time with Noah and my husband in like a very concentrated way. And then at work, like our vision is to democratize the salon manicure and so that's all we're focused on. And I think I

think focusing has been very very good. I also think patients like I worked on a trading nesk very very quick, a lot of a lot of then a lot not I would say, like a lot of not a lot of emotion um and not a lot of listening and just constantly go, go go. And this business has taught me.

My team has taught me to be patient and to allow people to like learn and develop into Angela's point, like when you bring those people in that are supposed to be taking parts of your job from you, to actually let them have it and let them have the moment to run a trust, that's huge and for you can't same same. I love exactly the same. Um. Now that you guys are in full swing of running successful businesses, bravo. Um, how have you integrated being a mom into your brand?

Like do you Well, I feel like it's all majorly in your brands, But how does it affect you guys? Do you have you had other moms work in your business? Do you have number two? Is number three? Is that are pregnant? That are women? Like? How do you a sort of I'm like, right, the wrongs of your up and coming you know what I mean? But like, how do you I know you guys don't take days off, but like, do all of your staff not take days off?

Or they moms? Like tell me, so, I've had two kids and starting the company and raising money and it's challenging. And the silver lining to the conversation for me is the investors that we did take on encouraged me to take time off encouraged me to take as much time off as I could to connect with my kids. UM, the challenge was the guilt and that I put on myself rather and you know, I really didn't take time off. But I really do encourage that for women. I think

it's really important. And I don't think UM as a society we encourage it enough. I think it's a problem. So for the kind of company that we've built, we we have a really generous maternity maternity leave policy and paternity leave policy. Yeah, and we were pretty small when we instituted it, you know, like ten lesson ten people, and so every person is so critical and it's just a sacrifice that we made and UM, yeah, you really feel it when they're gone, like it's it's taking hit

for sure. But it was something that you know, we're trying to build a long lasting brand, not just something that scales and the flails out. So having that and setting it up with lawyers and experts and thinking through that UM was really important to us in the beginning. And then we've also set up a pumping room early on. You know, I'm still pumping and it sucks. Do you have a brand new baby. I have a ten eleven menthol Yeah, so you're pumping away. Yeah, proms with you

right now. Um, so I know how much that sucks. I was pumping out in the open when we started, and it's so kind of embarrassing. I mean yeah, yeah, yeah no, but it is like it's touchy for people. And also, I mean we've talked a lot about breastfeeding on this podcast, but some people are very effect did buce, Like they can't make milk if they're stressed out, do

you know what I mean? So like to have a place to go where you can actually just like you know, if you're there are people that have to look at pictures of their babies or videos of their babies and their milk. That was me, Like my milk would not come down unless I like would see my child because I was so stressed. Yeah, um, that's beautiful. What about

you guys, Angela Sarah. Yeah, So as far as the generation at work or like how we try to like approach it, I have a baby food company, so it's like a very part of my like our whole being, you know. So like it's it's funny because I, unlike Sarah, no one's really looking to me for like it is,

I like, I don't. I'm very private of a person, like I don't like share a lot of anything, and so I think that's like why, um, but what I want to bake for the company, though, is stuff that makes people's lives better, and so we try to apply

that to people that work for the company. So we like try to look for under employed moms, like giving them flexible jobs, like whether it's like they want to help with content or write or like you know, be like you know, be an assistance of either like customer service, like anything that they can do, or it's over like field marketing. Like unemployed moms are always looking for jobs like and they're very very talented people, they just feel

like they can't balance everything. And so we look a lot of underemployed moms like to do those roles because that's what you're also are looking for. I mean, as a parent that's buying food, you want to actually probably hear from another mom. So it works both ways. So I think a lot of companies should actually look for people that could help them in that way, like and so and for us, we don't it's maternally we're actually I think I'm the only person that had a baby.

I can't think of other people that had babies that said um. But that being said, like we've talked a long time about what that's going to look like and when that happens, and like, I think we want to make sure that it's as flexible as possible for them to come back and integrate back in and like you know, what can they do and how much time they can have. Like we're obviously very small, but you know, I truly believe in that for society. So I think you have

to put out there what you want in society. And so I think that's like why we try to balance and consider but the same UM, I think we have basically our brand director and our CFO c O are part time and they're both and they're both moms and

works great for them. It's great. I think there's something so true and what Angel is saying is that there's like a workforce of women who are moms who can't figure out totally and there's some there's some companies that are coming out that are trying to like feed that talent to company to you know, to be that B two b um, which I think is super interesting Um,

it was amazing. It works so well for us. I mean we have basically a Stanford Business School grad who has been a CFO c O at many companies and she's our part time CFO c O and she's couldn't be more impactful for the business, our brand director, and it works perfectly for her because she's like I get to be with my kid and also I'm working exactly And what's great about it is, I mean with a little bit of a specific citch with special situation because I've known her since I was twenty two, so the

trust is insane. Like I mean, she makes her an hour, she makes HERMN schedule, and like I know everything will get done. Um. And our brand director is similar where I've known her since before we were open, and she's fantastic and she brib works another ten to twenty hours a week, and and they're both our works long works more twenty hours a week. But like it's just for us at this stage, like we don't have the ability to either afford either of these people a full time

but also yeah, it's great for them. It's great for them too because we have this too. I mean I don't run a successful business but I do run a successful not for profit. I have a theater company that I started ten years ago. A successful business. Yeah, thank you, it's called I have a theater company. But um, we have like our managing director who does all of our funds and our money and all of that, Like we couldn't afford a full time person, but she also can

afford a full time nanny. So it's this great idea of these like part time moms who are totally so amazing, and I'm so lucky to have her. It's like insane.

I mean, the business would fall apart without her. She's the only person that knows like the actual logistical ship, like I don't even know, but she it's incredible because she only she can work like three days a week, full days, and that's what she could afford a nanny, and that's what makes sense financially for her family, which is a blessing, Like the way what she wants to do, I mean, I think for our especially for Claire who runs who is our CFOC, Like she wants to spend

a lot of time with her family, Like that's hugely important to her, so for her to have this flexible job, but she gets still like she's like brilliant. It's just a wonderful arrangement. I think, Um, we recently moved from

contractors to employees. Are our team really liked being freelancers, and I understand why, but we at some point we're like, we want to be We wanted a team of employees, and so I think some people resist that it's somewhere manicures didn't want that, UM, but those who did really leaned into the fact that there's actual benefits and there's actually like a company that you are protected by both us in the state, and so UM really excited, like as we get bigger, really excited to be like more

like ritual. Do you guys? UM have advice for women in similar situations who are contemplating starting or running their

own businesses. I have to tell you, guys, I have a bunch of friends who either got pregnant or have small babies and are having massive, like like huge questioning about what they've been spending their time doing, like very successful like high up executives entertainment industry, and just you know, having a baby has completely, in a beautiful way, changed their thoughts and their priorities and what they want to do. That doesn't mean they want to work less and be

home more. It means if they're going to be away from their kids, they have to be doing something they're super fucking passionate about. Think it's like the most I think that's probably why it's like it's the most clarifying moment for a lot of people, at least, Like for me, it was like why am I doing this other thing? Like if I could do all my energy, put all of it into it wasn't for the last words, right, So it wasn't like I get to have more flex spells ators for like I'm gonna do all of this.

Let's make something huge, just change the world. Let's make something like big and exciting and like it can be what I wanted to be because I just saw it happened, like I just had a child, and that's like I made this little miracle happen. Like I can do this, Like I could do whatever I want, Like look at this,

like I kept this thing alive. Yeah, it's like it's huge, and I pressed that like and so I'm just saying that it really is empowering so as much as like it's so hard if women just like step back and be like, wow, you did that, like nobody else said that you did that, Like you can really do anything. Like then it is that moment you get to look step back and say, is this what I want on

in my life? I could do anything? And so like I encourage anybody that has that those thoughts, that doubts, like to really look through their life and think like like do I want to start a pie yeast? Do what I mean? Do I want to do this? Don't I want to get my voice out there? Do I want to, like, you know, do the things I've always wanted to do? Because you can. You just proved that you could, and so like or like join something, joined

us call me hey, So it's like call me. You got those thoughts like we want people that want to do a lot like change the world, like and I think there's almost like this like no better time. But I think there's only inflection points in your life, you know where you're like, what do I do? Like is life going to be the same? And want of this is graduating college? You're like that's weird, Like my whole life has been divided into like semester like a human

there's like no spring, like what do we do? This is real life like and then it's also married, like weirdly like even if you're not married, or that big moment where you like find someone because it's like, oh now I am tied to you as a human right And then babies like and babies is like, wow, is this what the rest of my life's going to look like? And it doesn't have to, but it doesn't make you think that way because like where am I going to

be that raises this kid? But philosophies are going to choose, and I say, like grab onto those inflection points, like because it's your time to like ride it into something new or like change your life or like get into more or like dive deeper in and whether that means like stay home with your kid and like cherish that or like you know, lean into another thing. But it really does allow for that to happen, like it's like entreated like that, like it's it's an inflection point, like

make make a decision now. Like I would say that I would agree with everything that angel is saying. I would also say that try to try to honestly critically analyze yourself and like what type of personality you are because like I'm in a I'm like in a rationally exuberant person that has tons of ideas, and I'm like, Okay, we're going to bring all of in June to everyone. We're going to teach everyone to paint thrown nails, and like that's my personality and we're going to do it

and we're gonna overtake it. We're gonna change the industry forever. There are other people on my team who are who want to be part of that vision but want to be more structure or want to be or like they they're kind of like nervous to be the person to say like we're going to teach everyone to pay thrown nails, But they're my CFO c O, and she wants to be part of that vision, but she wants to structure

it out. She wants to build a team. Like I know what kind of personality you are, because I do not think that everyone should be an entrepreneur, but I think everyone if they feel the way that you just described, they should join an entrepreneurial like entrepreneurial journey. And so I think there's like I think knowing what type of personality you are, like Claire will say all the time, she's like, I am a number two. And it's not that she's saying like I'm not the I'm not Sarah.

It's not about that. It's about what her personality and what she wants to do with her life. And like she's she's she's building more than I am, Like I mean, she's more. She's in some ways I think I report to her like she's she's more instrumental in some ways to the business than I am. But it's just different

parts of the business. And so I think knowing your personality and where you can like thrive, whether it be joining a company or start earning a company, like I think that that's so important because if you start a company and you don't have that like irrational exuberant, the lows will will kill you. He'll be out, they'll crush you, and they're just too low. And you have to be the person that can get so high. Yeah, you have to wake up every day. It's like being an actor.

It's like it is, but like waking up every day being like today is going to be the different day where everyone's gonna know to me. For the past three years, I haven't made a dollar and yet today I'm yeah, like I'm so fucking passionate about this. I have to be a scary storyteller. There's you know I learned this weekend. It was so eye opening. I learned this weekend that I want to hear a cat to your advice. I learned this weekend that I, I mean, someday, who knows

what will happen. I'm an actor, my husband an actor. Who knows what will happen. I might have to be a stay at home mom. But I learned this weekend that I I actually don't like it, and I'm really bad at it. Like my nanny has been sick and I was home and so I had the baby and my husband has a job, so he was gone and I was just by myself with the baby for like a week, and um, it was I was terrible at it.

Like I'm a much better mom when I get Okay, you have him from three to seven today, and like, I go so hard those four hours with him, and I read books and I pay attention and I'm focused and I'm patient and I and my phone is off and I know it's the time I get with him, and I'm very fortunate privileged to be able to make this choice, but I felt like, holy sh it, Like I have to work and I want to work in my life to be able to afford another person to

help me raise my son because work brings me such joy and actually makes me a better mother. But like I feel bad about that even still is that crazy? Like I said, I was, like, I'm terrible. This is where I'm supposed to want to be, but it's not. Another time, I talked about this a lot about like where you find your sense of self and it doesn't

have to always align like with what people think. You should find your sense of self, right, So, like I find my sense of self at work or productivity, but like that doesn't mean that I'm not great at the home or like I'm not like there or take care of it. It's just you also are a person, right, so you should take care of that who you are, and that's going to make you better in every other

part of your life. And so like some people do find their sense of self at the home and then it's great and that helps them, that works, and then that's where they find the sense selfs so like they can and that makes them a better person in other parts of their life and when they're at work and stuff, when they get re energized at home, like you have to find where you find like you're re energized, right, so I think, but in all those situations you should

find out how to find help. So even if you're someone that has help at home, maybe all the other parts of your life you need help into write. So we're all not better or worse for it. Actually, I think that at the end of the day, like it's actually a good thing to find out who you are and how you fit in, because then you know where to ask for help and you don't feel bad about it, because like it does feel like sometimes like shouldn't I be like like the person crawling on the floor chasing

my child? And it's like then everyone Dave realized, No, it shouldn't be. Don't have to it happened to be. It was so eye opening. I worked so many hours. I went back to work when he was really little, and I would always say, I just want to be at home with my kid. I just want to be home my kid. Like why then was I saying that, Well, I've had some time with that now, and that is actually not true. I would like to be home with my kid for some of the time, you know, and

like really quality time. But I don't want to be home with my kid all day. I don't. I was like, I hated it. I've never been so tired of my life. UM cat tell us um advice and what you would say to any woman you know who's thinking about starting a business or maybe really had a baby or is pregnant and is having like these thoughts of like, whatever her job is at the moment is not for her for sure. So I think he touched on it. But being a mom is the hardest job there is. There's

no harder job in the world. I think we're all in agreement that because it's the you can't quit. It's the one that means the most, it's NonStop, it's the one you don't think about for the rest of your life. Like, no matter where your kid is your you're tethered and thinking about him or her. I'm in this WhatsApp group with a bunch of female entrepreneurs and they're all about to have babies or they all have had babies, and you see but shock and horror after they've given birth,

and they're all like what do I do? Like babies not sleeping and they're not eating, and it's so shocking. I think when you have a child, there's nothing else like. And you see like in this What'sapp group but it won't name the entrepreneurs, but they're like really successful women that have built really big companies, are are really far in their careers and acting and whatnot, and they're just horrified. And it was a shock to me. That's what damn sure, Yeah,

And I think that's important to realize. And then you kind of get over that hump and you realize, Wow, women are capable of so much and that's pretty incredible. And so I don't know, my advice would be not to be so hard on yourself. That's something I've personally struggled with a lot. And you really can only balance

a couple of things this at a time. And you know, all of us are type A, so like, my relationship is going to be awesome, and my career is gonna be perfect, and my babies perfect, my job is going to be billy there. And I think at any given point there's only three things you can do semi well or semi okay, and not being so hard on yourself if something is just like failing miserably and just acknowledging that it is. UM. So that's been I think my my biggest struggle and advice that I wish I had

years ago, being like cool, I sucked up awesome. Oh yeah, of course. It sounds to me like you guys all had really strong passions and it sounds like you're equally as passionate about being moms. And this has been like so eye opening and inspiring and I cannot thank you enough Sarah and Cat and Angela for coming on Katie's Crib and for sharing your very impressive, inspiring, hard stories. I wish you guys the best of luck. In my business. We say break legs, but like I don't know what

you say to female entrepreneurs who were kicking out in business. Um. Thank you guys so much for being on Katie's Crib. I really appreciate it. Thank you, thank you, Thank you guys so much for listening to Katie's Crib. And be sure to check out Shonda land dot com, where you can find every episode of Katie's Crib and we've got crib notes for each episode where you can find out more about our guests and links to some of the resources we talked about on the podcast. And last, but

not least, subscribe. We're on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Sitcher, basically like wherever you get your podcast wo