Balancing Act: The Reality of Being a CEO and a Mother

As I sit here at home while my kids are getting dressed for the day, checking my calendar for the work week ahead, surrounded by the trappings of corporate success, I can't help but smile at the irony. Just last week I was on a less than 24 hour trip to Sonoma for a consumer brand summit, discussing our company's successes. Now, I'm wiping chocolate smudges off my laptop screen literally– a parting gift from my toddler's kiss hello while I write this blog post.

This is my life – a constant juggling act between conference room meetings and bedtime stories, strategy sessions and soccer practices. It's a life that often earns me the title of "hero" from some of my closest friends and colleagues. But let me tell you a secret: I'm no superhero. I'm just a girl trying her best to navigate two of the most challenging and rewarding roles life has to offer.

The truth is, I couldn't do what I do without an incredible support system. My assistant Nancy is my professional and personal lifeline, keeping me organized and on track in the office and in life. At home, I have a team of amazing individuals who help me care for my children. These people are the unsung heroes of my story, the ones who make it possible for me to chase my dreams while nurturing my family.

So why am I sharing this? Because I believe it's time to change the narrative around working mothers, especially those in leadership positions. We need to stop perpetuating the myth of the "superwoman" who effortlessly does it all. It's not realistic, and frankly, it's damaging to women who are struggling to find their own balance.