25/03/2024
Working Mama 💛
Hi all! It’s Cathy, your CEO at P&P. I’ve been quiet for a minute…but for a good reason - I’ve been busy bringing a new life into this world, a little baby girl named Sophie! My husband Cody and I welcomed our firstborn on January 18th, 2024. This new chapter in my life has given me a fresh perspective on balancing motherhood and running a business. 🍼
When I first became pregnant, I wondered how navigating motherhood, especially as a new mom, would impact my business. I decided that I was passionate about balancing both - my two babies. Running a business is hard: lots of hard work, sweat, effort, and sleepless nights. I’ve learned that motherhood is no different. But in the words of Glennon Doyle - “I can do hard things.” 🙏
Here is Sophie tagging along for my first in-person business meeting this week. I want her to grow up learning that women can do it all - run a successful business and be an incredible mom - even in the early newborn months. Sophie was a dream and slept through the entire meeting - and my clients at VIVE Integrative Health Group were delighted to see her. Fun fact: I’ve never stopped working throughout my pregnancy or postpartum phase… there is no maternity leave for business owners. So, I defined my own. Here are some takeaways I’ve noticed from this recent season in my life:
✨ Ask for help. I admire (on IG) and how she navigates motherhood and running a business. When I was pregnant, I reached out to her out of the blue for advice, and she was an absolute angel in sharing advice on how she manages both. I highly recommend you follow her and check out her business Poolside Digital - I have also been leaning into my community of friends and family to help me postpartum. Sometimes, it’s the hardest thing to do - accept help. Especially someone like me - who is a self-starter and independent person. But as a new mama, you need the help. I am lucky to have an incredible community that supports me in the most beautiful way. It truly takes a village.
✨ Hire help. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to manage my business alone. With many balls in the air, it’s impossible to do it all when you are a) pregnant and b) newly postpartum. I hired support before delivering Baby Sophie, so once she was here, I could focus more on nurturing her and soaking in all the baby cuddles (and managing those sleepless newborn nights). Thank you so much to Ida Desmond and Raghav Munjal for holding down the fort for me these last couple of months - you two are rockstars.
✨ Open communication with your clients is key. When I found out I was pregnant, I made it a point to inform my clients early on and provide advance notice of how our working relationship would change during this transition. To my delight, all of them were supportive and excited for me. I’m truly blessed to have such wonderful and aligned clients.
✨ Be gentle with yourself. Being a new mom and running a business is both incredibly challenging and rewarding. I need to remind myself to kick perfectionism to the curb and give myself a pat on the back for trying my best every day as I balance both.
As always, I’m excited to continue sharing my entrepreneurial journey with you, and 2024 looks a lot more different (and cute). 💕
