This week, I’m sharing a really personal episode — one that’s close to my heart as both a mom and a business owner.

When I tell people I’m a “two-under-two” mom, most assume my second baby was an accident. But if you know me, you know I plan everything. The truth is, postpartum with my first was one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced. I honestly didn’t know if I could do it all again — the sleepless nights, the solo parenting while running a business, all of it.

But the moment that changed everything was when I saw my firstborn trying to play with a picture of another child on his toy bin. That’s when I knew in my heart that he needed a sibling — and that if I wanted both motherhood and business to feel good, I had to do things differently.

I made the decision to build my business around my life instead of trying to fit my life into my business. That meant changing everything — from when I take calls to how I support clients. I stopped trying to cram work into nap times and started working Saturday through Monday, with Mondays as my main call days. It’s when my husband is home and I have the most support with the kids.

I also shifted to supporting my clients primarily through Telegram instead of relying on back-to-back calls. That change alone gave me so much freedom — freedom to be present, flexible, and less stressed.

But honestly? The biggest shift wasn’t logistical. It was identity work. I had to fully accept that I’m both a mom and a business owner. For a long time, I felt like a fraud preaching “build a business around your life” when mine wasn’t truly supporting me. I was still holding onto what felt safe.

I had to let go of that version of me and start acting like the woman I knew I wanted to be — the one who runs a six-figure business while being the mom she always dreamed of being. That meant diving deep into mindset work, shadow work, and healing from the trauma of my first postpartum experience.

These shifts didn’t happen overnight. They stretched me. They forced me to ask for help and let others support me. But once I did, everything clicked. I finally built a business that gives me time freedom, financial freedom, and most importantly — peace.

That’s what I now help other moms do inside Soft Mama CEO, my 12-month mastermind for moms who are ready to build a six-figure business while working 20 hours or less. Because as moms, we can’t follow the traditional business model anymore. We have to build in a way that actually supports our life.

If you’re ready to finally do that — to stop hustling through nap times and start creating a business that gives you both freedom and fulfillment — you can apply for Soft Mama CEO through the link in the show notes or message me on Instagram (@aliciacroci).

You already stepped outside the traditional path by starting your business. Now it’s time to take it one step further — and build it your way.

Just remember: you get to decide how your life gets to be.

I’ll see you next week on Business & Brunch.

Resources & Links

→ Apply for Soft Mama CEO: https://wildlycreativestudio.com/soft-mama-ceo?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast

→ Connect with me on Instagram: @aliciacroci

→ Check out all my free resources: https://wildlycreativestudio.myflodesk.com/linkinbio