Ambition has no timeline

One of the interesting things about being a "mompreneur" is having your kids bear witness to your business journey and the hard work that goes into it. Growing up, I had the false notion that there was a certain career to motherhood timeline. I would "make it" career-wise and then start a family.

After spending almost a decade climbing the ladder at high-growth tech startups in San Francisco and Seattle, I was burnt out and ready to start a family. When my husband received a job opportunity in Ohio, we moved there and I gave birth to my first daughter Lucy. My second daughter Annie followed two years later. When Annie was four months old, I had the idea for my Lunnie nursing bra. It was an itch I couldn't shake.

Despite having no background in apparel or manufacturing, I decided to go for it. The amazing thing about motherhood is it crystallizes what is truly important. There's no way I would have pursued this five years ago because I lacked the confidence and urgency. Between moving across the country, having two babies, and raising them amidst a pandemic, I've discovered my own strength. And if this venture falls on its face, I still have my two girls at the end of the day and that's all that matters. I truly believe there is nothing stronger and more powerful than a mother - the pandemic highlighted this even more.

It's not all rainbows though. Finding the time and energy to start a business amidst the exhaustion and constraints of motherhood is very challenging. I began spending nap times, nights, and weekends on developing a product and business plan for Lunnie. When I had an amazing early break and won the Female Founder Collective Big Pitcher competition, my two daughters watched by my side. My toddler Lucy asked, "Are you proud of yourself, Mama?" and it made all those late nights worth it.