Meet Let Mommy Sleep Franchise Entrepreneur Cecilia Smith
Cecilia Smith spent her entire career in corporate sales. She never expected to leave until an opportunity to help new parents navigate life with a newborn came across her desk. As her friends each started their families, they unanimously stated that the newborn stage was the hardest and lack of sleep was a big factor. Realizing such a need, she decided to leave corporate America to help new parents in Charlotte, NC get the sleep they deserved.
Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us about your entrepreneurial journey?
I am originally from Kentucky but moved to Charlotte, NC about 7 years ago to follow my corporate job. I was in industrial lighting sales my entire career and had no intention of leaving. I was planning to visit my best friend over the holidays last year and was going to meet her new baby. She was telling me how hard being a new mom was and that her baby had started to regress in sleep. Realizing how much a night of sleep would help her, I decided to find a night nurse for her. I came across the Let Mommy Sleep franchise, and after speaking with the owner, I decided opening up a location in Charlotte, NC would be the next chapter in my career.
What made you decide to go into business for yourself?
The thought of having complete control and no one to answer to was extremely enticing. Being able to put my visions into motion without having to jump through hoops and convince 20 different people for approval was convincing as well. I like knowing that I can be as creative as I want.
How did you market your business when it was brand new?
Local connections with small businesses in the perinatal space, local TV advertising, local magazine advertising, and Instagram. Instagram has been a major tool for my marketing–it has allowed me to make so many great, local connections.
What is a typical day like for you?
Every day is a different day. Emails/Texts/Calls are checked, marked, and answered first thing in the morning and right after dinner. In between could be anything from meeting local perinatal businesses to stopping by the hospitals to drop off materials to put in their take-home parent resource bags for new parents, or participating in a local networking event.
What are the three most important habits to be a successful entrepreneur?
Consistency, Asking for Help, and Learning from every kind of experience.
If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out, what would it be?
Be a sponge and lean on anyone in the industry that wants to help you. Being in a female-lead industry, I was surprised at how many women will go out of their way to help.
Does your company help the community where it is located?
Yes. Baby Bundles and Madelyn’s Fund are two local non-profits that we help where we can. Mission: Sleep is the Non-Profit arm of Let Mommy Sleep. Mission: Sleep provides free overnight care to military and first responder families that are deployed, deceased, or wounded.
Every entrepreneur has a goal and problem they’re trying to solve. What was the inspiration that started your journey?
I want to normalize creating your village as a new parent. There are so many perinatal resources out there to help and enhance your experience as a new parent, and new mom specifically. I really want moms to utilize these resources and understand that they do not have to do it alone.
How do you prioritize self-care and well-being while managing the demands of your business?
Time Blocking has been a game-changer as far as managing the demands of owning a business. That creates time each day to focus on the fitness routine that I have and the mental reprieve I need to prevent burnout.
What would you consider your biggest accomplishment and why?
My biggest accomplishment, being a new business owner, is having the courage to leave Corporate America. Leaving the safety net of guaranteed income, benefits, and a customer base is scary. Change is scary.
We all face challenges. Looking back, what have been some of the biggest challenges and obstacles you’ve had to navigate?
The learning curve of the perinatal space has been the biggest challenge for me. Sales and marketing are what I know from my previous job, but making sure I’m knowledgeable about the pregnant and postpartum community has been my biggest point of navigation.
What challenges have you faced in the workplace, especially your experience in male-dominated environments?
Where do I begin…The commentary and comments in conversation-learning how to dismiss and ignore inappropriate language without making the interaction uncomfortable. Having to make sure you don’t make any mistakes–1 mistake can all of a sudden make you incompetent while someone else may be making them constantly and still be deemed worthy. Feeling like you have to answer any and every call/text/email, no matter what time of the day, in hopes that it will make you stand out despite your high level of expertise. Make sure you are not the last female to leave a work event, and that your drinking is controlled to prevent any rumors from starting and sticking.
Can you share some of the most important lessons you’ve learned from your successes and failures in business?
They both are just that, learning experiences. If you aren’t learning, you aren’t moving forward. Both success and failure allow you to systemize and tailor your business practices.
What initiatives or actions do you believe are crucial for fostering a more supportive and inclusive business environment for women?
The biggest action a female can do is to refer and drop another female’s business in conversation. When we promote one another, we are fostering a supportive space. When we support our female counterparts, we are encouraging a female workforce as a whole. People would rather work with referrals instead of searching the internet.
What advice would you give to a new business owner? Or to your younger self?
To new business owners and to my younger self–always trust your gut.
How do you set your business apart from others in your industry?
We are a team-based company. That being said, you do not have to plan in advance to receive overnight newborn care. Historically, overnight newborn care required months of preparation to secure someone for a period of time after a baby is born. Not only can we provide care immediately, we can provide care on an as-needed basis. We have families that need care 3 times a week, and we have had families only need 1 night of care.
What social media platform is the best for business growth and why?
Instagram has been my biggest platform for business and growth. When we receive requests from families, almost all of them have said that they have seen us on Instagram. I have also met most of my fellow perinatal business owners through Instagram and have been able to communicate and schedule meetings through the site as well.
What are three websites or podcasts you can’t imagine your day without? Why those three?
The Franchise Woman Podcast
Which female leader do you admire, and why?
Denise Stern, owner of Let Mommy Sleep. She is in business for the right reasons and is always willing to support and help other female business owners. She is a wealth of knowledge in the perinatal community and is always striving to do right by new parents.
Do you have a favorite quote or motto that inspires you?
You are who you hang out with.
Final thoughts:
I hope that the female business owner population keeps growing and that we rely on each other to extend that growth. We are the ones that create a safe and positive environment for females in business and I hope I can be of any help to anyone at any time. Reach out to me anytime on Instagram @letmommysleep704 or find my email on my website at www.letmommysleep.com/charlotte.
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Melissa Stewart is the founder of SheOwnsIt.com. She is a Purveyor of Possibility, Entrepreneur Advocate and Coffee Addict. She believes that behind every successful woman is her story. What’s your story?
