Mother / Founder

Starting a business can be daunting, scary, and exciting, all at once; so too can starting a family. But they can coexist—as the incredible roster of women in this book demonstrate, entrepreneurship can be both a sustainable and fulfilling model for working motherhood. Each woman profiled here shares insights from her journey as well as powerful lessons and practical advice, including:

• How to plan for maternity leave
• The benefits of sharing financial information with your peers
• Key points to include when drafting a contract
• Creative ways to include your kids in your work
• The value of building support systems, from advisory boards to nanny shares
• Resources for securing grants and fellowships
• Tips for preparing taxes as a freelancer
• How to avoid the “mom guilt” trap

Filled with first-person stories of designers, makers, CEOs, farmers, pastry chefs, artists, lawyers, educators, and more, Mother / Founder captures with unprecedented candor the unique challenges and joys of what it means to launch and run a business while being just as fiercely dedicated to raising children. 

• “As any mother knows, the balance between finding gratification in your work and spending quality time with your kids, all while avoiding mom guilt, is a constant challenge. And it’s compounded when you see social media highlight reels showing mothers seemingly doing it all, having it all, looking great, and feeling great. The stories in Mother/Founder pull back the curtain in a way that is truly relatable, helpful, and inspiring. It will get you dreaming in a new, exciting way.”

  Molly Yeh, New York Times bestselling author and Food Network host

• “I wish this book existed when I was raising my three boys and building my first beauty brand! The stories of these mother founders are so inspirational, and remind any woman who is starting a business and juggling the demands of a family that they’re not alone. We see you. We’ve got you. Now go build your support system and crush it.”

  Bobbi Brown, makeup artist and founder of Jones Road Beauty

• “A true companion for anyone weathering that seemingly impossible distance between making lunches and making launch day, this book is equal parts a whisper to keep going and a thunderclap to start today. These are the stories we need more than ever.”

  Katie Thurmes Gloeckler, cofounder of Artifact Uprising

• “Full of stories and practical advice from a diverse group of mother entrepreneurs that is sure to inspire you like it inspired me.” 

  Aran Goyoaga, James Beard–nominated author of Cannelle et Vanille cookbooks

• “How did this book not exist until now? Reading these working moms’ stories, their advice, and the brass tacks of their daily routines gave me much-needed affirmation as I navigate life with my new baby while going after my professional dreams. It’s hard! But as one contributor aptly put it, my work makes me who I am, and it makes me a better mother. This book was like chicken soup for my tired-mom soul.”

  Hopie Stockman Hill, co-founder and CEO of Block Shop Textiles

• “Mother/Founder shines a much-needed light on the complex and profound journey of being a mom entrepreneur. Amanda and Jennifer have created within the pages of this book a community for those of us holding up economies, families, and dreams, and reminded us: we’ve got this.”

  Karen Chan, author, lawyer, and founder of Gloo Books

• “Reading this book is like being invited into a circle of wise and brilliant mothers who generously share their experience and advice on creating fulfilling careers on their own terms. An empowering reminder that there is no one perfect blueprint to motherhood and successful entrepreneurship.”

  Erin Jang, illustrator and founder of the Indigo Bunting