What I've Learned About Work, Parenthood, and Support

Throughout my entire pregnancy, I was filled with a mix of excitement, joy—and yes, a bit of worry—about how my growing family would impact my work. As a Creative Agency Strategic Growth Advisor and the Founder of Le Chéile, I kept wondering: Will people still want to work with me? Will they look at me differently?

The more I opened up to my clients and an incredible network of female entrepreneurs, a few consistent themes kept coming up:

• You’ll figure it out.

• You’re going to make it work.

• It’ll look a lot different than you think.

And, you know what? They were right.

When our baby arrived a full month early, I immediately shared the news with my clients. And, as expected, I was met with an outpouring of supportive messages. One that really stood out was from Lauren Bercuson, who graciously offered to deliver items directly to our hotel in Portland, Maine (I mean... 😇).

Navigating Work with a Newborn

As I slowly ease back into work, juggling client calls while navigating nap "schedules" and a brand-new human, I’ll admit: it hasn’t been easy. There’s definitely a learning curve. But having an amazing support system of founders, clients, and fellow entrepreneurs has made it not only manageable but also surprisingly fulfilling.

One thing I’ve learned—if I didn't already know it—is that I'm now more efficient with my time than ever before. It's like the world of multitasking has opened up a new level for me!

A Hat Tip to All the Working Moms

I’ve always had empathy for working moms, but now that I’m in the trenches, I have a whole new level of respect and understanding. The balance they strike between family, business, and personal life is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

So, to anyone who’s a business owner or founder embarking on parenthood: here’s what I know now—you’ll figure it out. You will make it work. And yes, it’ll look a lot different than you think. But trust me, it’s all worth it.