Creating a maternity leave plan for your business with Cassandra Vantriet
In this conversation, we reflect on how life transitions (like becoming a mom) push you to be present and flexible when entering a new phase of life. We also share our experiences with building a conscious maternity leave, learning to embrace changes and adapt to everything that momhood brings, highlighting the impact on work and life balance.
More podcast episodes you’ll love:
Mom Update: Lessons on how to work less and live more - www.digitalbloomiq.com/how-to-work-less-and-live-more
Becoming a mom and what it's taught me about business - https://digitalbloomiq.com/pod/becoming-mom-while-running-business
Finding balance in your online business - https://digitalbloomiq.com/pod/carina-groombridge
Listen to this episode below:
More about Cassandra:
Cassandra is a multi-faceted entrepreneur, having founded three successful product and service based businesses with more in the works as she sells her latest business Woash, an online space crafting multifunctional herbal remedies and timeless designs for everyday lifestyle care and transitions into motherhood.
Cassandra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/cassandravantriet/
Podcast Shownotes:
In this podcast, we talk about the impact of pregnancy and motherhood on a business owner. Here's a summary of the conversation:
Cassandra is 37 weeks pregnant at the time of recording this aand shares that she's had a relatively easy and joyful pregnancy with some unique experiences like vivid dreams and shortness of breath due to the baby's size. She mentions that it has been an overall positive journey, despite some minor challenges like enhanced seasonal allergies.
Then we delve into the concept of a "cocoon period," where Cassandra talks about her desire to protect her pregnancy experience and limit the influence of others' opinions and stories. She emphasizes the importance of experiencing things firsthand to absorb the true essence of the experience.
The conversation touches on the complexity of pregnancy experiences, how they can vary greatly, and the pressure to share everything on social media. The pregnant person also talks about her decision to build a supportive team for her pregnancy, including a midwife and doula.
The discussion shifts towards the impact of pregnancy on the business. At the time, Cassandra still owned a wellness company called Woash, which focuses on natural remedies like teas and tinctures. She describes the evolution of her business, the challenges faced, and the impact of COVID-19 on her operations.
We also discuss how major life changes, such as moving to a new city and living in a mountainous area, have contributed to the business challenges.
In the next part of the conversation, Cassandra discusses their decision to sell her business, Woash, which she is proud of but no longer has the capacity to manage. She reflects on her identity as a mom and how it impacts their values and life choices. She explains the process of letting go of the brand and her role, allowing space for a new phase in her life. She also emphasizes the importance of being present and flexible during maternity leave and expresses her excitement for the journey ahead.
Cinthia also shares her experience her maternity leave, initially struggling with control and planning but ultimately learning to be flexible and adapt to the changes brought by her baby. We discuss the importance of focusing on what feels satisfying and allowing the journey to unfold. We also mention the impact of the baby on our work and life, as well as the need for balance and trust in the process.
Overall, the conversation revolves around the intersection of pregnancy, personal experiences, and business ownership, emphasizing the importance of protecting one's unique pregnancy journey and building a supportive team for both personal and professional aspects of life.