If you’re looking to get something done, ask a mom. We’re naturally experts at balancing a multitude of responsibilities—running a household, excelling at work, and meeting the daily needs of our families. However, amid these demands, personal dreams often take a backseat. While it’s important to avoid burnout and recognize our limits, it’s also essential to not prematurely dismiss our potential. It’s the mindset of losing every opportunity you don’t take that holds us back. There’s never been a better time than now to take the first step toward your future!
SheKnows spoke with 50 mom-entrepreneurs about how they successfully turned their passions into profitable ventures, even while raising children. Some took a leap of faith, while others leaned into their intuition. Many leveraged the lessons learned from motherhood to cultivate a strong business mindset. Some identified a need within the parenting experience and, instead of waiting for someone else to solve it, they created innovative solutions for fellow moms. All of these women discovered how to develop a business plan, transform their dreams into reality, and achieve success while juggling motherhood.
Start Before You’re “Ready”
These moms didn’t wait for the “perfect” plan or timing: they took action, embraced imperfection, and learned along the way. Progress, not perfection, fueled their success.
- Drew Ann Long, Founder of Caroline’s Cart, Founder of Caroline’s Cause – “The turning point is when the thought of what might be (what you could accomplish) outweighs what might have been (what you never tried), you’re ready to take the first step!”
- Crystal Barrow, JD, PPC, Certified Executive Career & Leadership Coach, Founder of Shape Your Success Coaching – “The turning point was accepting that it didn’ll be perfect to start. As a mom, I set boundaries, charged for my value, and built momentum one small action at a time while juggling my priorities.”
- Sarah Breitenother, Founder, Pirouette Kids – “I had to try, or I knew I’d spend the rest of my life wondering what might have happened had I gone for it.”
- May Borras, Founder, Vommat – “Don’t wait for things to be perfect and always have a testing mindset. Put things out there, test them and redirect when you need to. That’s how you learn and evolve.”
- Camryn Turner, Founder, Pinchy – “When fear of the unknown shows up, I don’t overthink it. I tell myself, ‘1, 2, 3 — just do it,’ and take the next immediate step to get started.”
- Allison Minutillo, Founder & CEO, Maestra – “Don’t wait for the world to tell you it’s time. Take your idea seriously, stand behind it, and start now. The only validation you need is your own belief.”
- Whitney Dueñas Richardson, Founder, Global Sprouts – “Jump off of the cliff with no plan and scale your way back up to success. The best founders are the ones who have a vision and then have the grit to bring it to market and watch it succeed.”
- Tara Miko Ballentine, Founder & CEO, Bright Littles – “Chasing perfect keeps you stuck; chasing progress moves you forward. Be bold, stay curious, and keep learning.”
Mindset is Everything
From self-doubt to self-trust, these women mastered the mental game. Their stories are proof that confidence and clarity are built from the inside out.
- Jenine Camins, ICF-Certified Performance & Mindset Coach, UQ Mindfulness – “Doubting my skills and fearing judgment didn’t mean I wasn’t ready. It just meant I was human. Once I stopped downplaying my work and owned the title of entrepreneur and coach, others naturally followed my lead.”
- Parita Kuttappan, Awarify Coaching, Certified Professional Coach – “Do not let the excuses pile up because your desire to make an impact is bigger than your fear.”
- Tatiana Tsoir, CPA, MBA, USTCP, Award-Winning Accountant, Founder, Author, Speaker & Entrepreneurship Expert – “Be curious about what you do and follow that curiosity.”
- Lindsay Hotmire, Brand Positioning Consultant – “I decided to stop playing small because my desire to make an impact was bigger than my fear.”
- Marisa Guthrie, Business Coach & Founder, Author, The Reluctant Capitalist – “The moment I stopped trying to follow someone else’s blueprint and built a business around my own values and capacity, not cynical, tech bro marketing, was when my passion started turning into consistent profit.”
- Emma Dunwoody, Human Design Master Coach, Behavior Expert, Podcast Host – “The moment I stopped trying to get it perfect and followed what genuinely lit me up, I realized that every misstep was feedback.”
- Chrissy Bernal, CEO & Brand Architect, Be a Better Brand, LLC – “The moment I stopped defining my potential with a corporate title was the exact moment I could build a business with purpose.”
- Emily Aarons, Creator, Energetic Advantage, Mastery & Ascension App – “I stopped waiting for permission and started building the systems of care I wished existed for my own patients.”
Building What Matters
Grounded in empathy and authenticity, these entrepreneurs built businesses that reflect their values, uplift their communities, and create lasting impact beyond profit.
- Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, MBA – “I stopped waiting for permission and started building the systems of care I wished existed for my own patients.”
(This is just a portion of the 50 stories. The original text was truncated here and would continue with more stories categorized similarly.)
Key takeaways from these stories:
- Action over Perfection: Don’t wait for the ideal conditions; start with what you have.
- Embrace the Learning Process: View mistakes as feedback and opportunities for growth.
- Trust Your Intuition: Align your actions with your passions and values.
- Community Support: Surround yourself with encouraging friends, family, and mentors.
- Mindset Shift: Overcome self-doubt and believe in your potential.
By sharing their journeys, these mom-entrepreneurs are demonstrating that balancing motherhood and pursuing a fulfilling career is possible – and incredibly rewarding.
