Meet Lisa Myers: The Mother of Invention Revolutionizing Breastfeeding with Ceres Chill

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Lisa Myers is the Founder of Ceres Chill, a company dedicated to ensuring the success of breastfeeding parents and the health of the world’s most vulnerable infants.

In just the last few years, Lisa became a mother of two, was promoted to equity partner at an international law firm, and created a company – all while enduring universal breastfeeding challenges.  She struggled and failed to meet her breastfeeding goals. Through her struggles, she was inspired to invent a patented breast milk chilling thermos to help women all over the world keep their breastmilk safe and achieve their breastfeeding goals.  She will never stop advocating for working women and breastfeeding families.

Takeaways

• You don’t need a perfect plan, deep pockets, or a business degree to start something meaningful. What you do need is a problem you care deeply about, the courage to begin before you’re ready, and the willingness to learn, adapt, and grow.
• Lisa Myers’ journey proves that lived experience when paired with grit and purpose can create powerful change not just for yourself, but for communities around the world.

Lisa Myers, Founder of Ceres Chill

“Some of the best insights come not from trying to perfect something in isolation, but from real conversations with real customers.”

Can you start by introducing yourself and sharing your inspiring story? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.

I’m Lisa Myers, the founder and CEO of Ceres Chill. I’m an attorney, a mom, and someone who has always believed that women shouldn’t have to choose between their careers and providing the best for their babies. When I had my first child, I struggled to find a practical way to pump and store breastmilk while working and traveling. That experience inspired me to create a solution that didn’t exist—one that would empower parents everywhere. Today, Ceres Chill is helping families in more than 50 countries, and it all started with a personal pain point I knew other parents were facing, too.

What made you decide to go into business for yourself?

I never set out thinking I’d be an entrepreneur, but my frustration as a working mom who wanted to breastfeed showed me there was a gap in the market. When I couldn’t find a product to solve my own problem, I decided to create one. I wanted to build something that would not only help my own family but also countless others who face the same challenges.

Nobody should have to choose between a paycheck and how they want to feed their baby.

Feeling that tension firsthand, returning to work as a new mom, I became determined to create a solution that would let parents have both: career and caregiving. That motivation lit the spark for entrepreneurship.

How did you market your business when it was brand new?

While I didn’t conduct formal market research in the traditional sense, I did what many of us instinctively do: I searched high and low for a sleek, convenient, easy-to-use container that I was sure had to exist… but it didn’t. What I found instead were mostly coolers, none of which had the capacity or longevity to support someone through a full workday or night. Whether you’re a working mom or just someone who values time and peace of mind, I realized that there was a clear gap. That insight became the foundation.

We started out super scrappy. Just me sharing my story directly with other parents, lactation consultants, and supportive online communities. It was all very grassroots. Then we launched an Indiegogo campaign, which thankfully took off, and that success helped us move into production with the support of some amazing engineers and a real factory.

Social media played a huge role in our growth. It gave us a way to connect authentically with moms and parents who were excited to see a product made for them, by someone who truly understood their day-to-day challenges. In those early days, word-of-mouth was everything. 

For every mom who bought a chiller, we’d see ten more follow. I remember fulfilling orders and noticing one came in from a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, and then suddenly, more and more orders would start rolling in from that same place. That’s how we grew in the beginning: one mom, one story, one community at a time.

Now we’ve added more traditional advertising into the mix, but back then, it was all about those personal connections and the power of moms sharing with other moms.

“Failure isn’t a verdict, it’s a teacher. Every misstep has made our product stronger and our company more resilient.” – Lisa Myers

If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out, what would it be?

Don’t wait for the “perfect moment” or for everything to feel ready, because honestly, that moment rarely comes. Just take the leap. Start small, stay flexible, and iterate as you go. Some of the best insights come not from trying to perfect something in isolation, but from real conversations with real customers. I even started randomly calling customers just to hear their thoughts firsthand, and those candid chats often revealed more than any survey ever could.

Begin with purpose. Stay grounded in what your users actually need. And be open to pivoting, because success isn’t about sticking to your original plan, it’s about serving your audience in the best way possible.

Of course, protect your idea and preserve your opportunity as best you can. But real growth happens when you take a risk, invite people in, and learn from everyone around you. That feedback, whether it’s from a friend, a stranger, or someone who’s been in your shoes, is what helps you refine and evolve your idea into something truly impactful.

I filed my own provisional patent just six weeks after coming up with the idea. I filed my own corporate documents and trademark, too. The USPTO (www.uspto.gov) is an incredible resource; it empowers people to take action and build something on their own. That’s exactly what I did. And once I had those protections in place, I started sharing the idea, having conversations, and learning from everyone I could.

I’ll be honest, I’m a bit of a lone wolf. Firstborn daughter, farm girl. I’ve always had this instinct to do everything myself. But building this company taught me how powerful it is to engage with others. People want to help. They love showing up. Often, they get just as much out of it as you do.

Those early conversations with friends? They helped me build the website, understand marketing, and figure out how to communicate the brand on social media. So my advice is:

Protect your idea, but don’t keep it locked away. Because as long as it stays a secret, it’s nearly impossible to move forward and build something real.

Every entrepreneur has a goal and a problem they’re trying to solve. What was the inspiration that started your journey?

My inspiration was deeply personal. My own struggles with balancing a demanding career and breastfeeding. I realized that millions of parents were in the same situation, having to choose between feeding their baby and being fully present at work or while traveling. I wanted to remove that barrier so parents could feel supported, capable, and empowered. When I returned to work and realized how difficult it was to store breast milk safely… I just knew I had to do something. That bridge between personal challenge and broader parental needs became the seed for Ceres Chill.

What would you consider your biggest accomplishment and why?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is how to ask for help, and how to truly thrive as part of an exceptional team. I used to think I had to do everything on my own, but building this company showed me that while I can do a lot on my own, I can do exponentially more with the support of brilliant, hardworking people who are just as inspired, and often more talented than I am.

If you’re trying to build something meaningful, something that truly reaches people and creates real change, you can’t do it alone. ‘Scale,’ as all the business folks say, requires stepping outside yourself. That’s what I had to learn, and it’s been one of the most powerful shifts in my journey.

One of the most valuable lessons I picked up is the importance of surrounding yourself with people who will tell you the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. People who will challenge your ideas, point out what’s not working, and bring skills to the table that you don’t have. Whether it’s customer service, social media, or marketing, trusting others to lead in their zone of genius is what allows a vision to truly grow.

Getting our first patent approved was a huge moment for me. It wasn’t just a legal milestone; it was validation that innovation for moms and families matters, and that what we were building was truly unique. But what drives me even more than that are the messages from parents who say our product gave them freedom, confidence, and support. That’s what keeps me going. That’s why we started.

We raised over $700K through a customer-backed Wefunder campaign, not venture capital, which meant we could scale on our own terms. That independence allowed us to stay true to our mission and our community.

And I’m proud that we’re not just building a product, we’re helping shift the conversation. We’re challenging outdated norms around breastfeeding and milk handling, and showing that there’s a better, more supportive way forward for parents.

We all face challenges. Looking back, what have been some of the biggest challenges and obstacles you’ve had to navigate?

No matter how good, or not-so-good your idea is, there will always be people who tell you it’s terrible. Some will call you naive or reckless. And especially as a woman, you might hear that you’re being a bad mom, a bad partner, or somehow failing at your role in society just for daring to build something of your own.

Persevering through that noise is hard. Really hard. Especially when you’re already carrying the weight of self-doubt or the kind of insecurities that, let’s be honest, women often experience more deeply and more frequently.

There will be moments, many of them, when it feels like your dream is about to fall apart. For me, one of those moments came when we received our first production samples. They were right on schedule (well, close enough because nothing in manufacturing is ever truly on time), and I was so excited. But when I held them in my hands, I realized they were the most beautiful pieces of garbage I’d ever seen. They looked great, but they completely failed the durability test. They didn’t meet the standard I knew moms needed. They didn’t live up to the promise I was determined to keep.

That was a gut punch. But it taught me something important: knowing when to scrap something and start over is just as critical as knowing when to push through. And yes, all those people who doubted you will be quick to chime in again when things go sideways. But if you believe in what you’re building, if you can take a breath, assess the situation, and see what needs to be done.

Then you can pick yourself up and keep going. That’s what I did. And that’s what I keep doing.

Can you share some of the most important lessons you’ve learned from your successes and failures in business?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that failure isn’t a verdict, it’s a teacher. Every misstep has made our product stronger and our company more resilient. I’ve learned to listen deeply to our customers, stay flexible, and not be afraid to pivot when something isn’t working.

In business, you quickly realize that you’re stronger together than alone. Having a team and leaning into their strengths is everything. When you’re united by a powerful, shared mission, you attract some of the most exceptional people you’ll ever meet. And working alongside them? It’s next-level joy. It’s the kind of fulfillment that makes all the hard days worth it.

And there are hard days. There’s fear, overwhelm, and the constant challenge of trying to do things you’ve never done before. I’m a mom. I came from politics. I grew up on a farm with very little, and while I was fortunate to have a legal career, I had no formal business training, no experience in startup culture, or even a traditional office environment. So when things went wrong, they hit hard.

We’re also a fully remote company, which adds another layer of complexity. Communication becomes everything. Whether it’s through texts, chats, emails, phone calls, or finding ways to meet in person whenever possible. Staying connected is key. Failures can feel devastating. But when you’re anchored by a mission that truly matters, it becomes easier to get back up. I say “easy,” but really, it’s not. It’s just that once you’ve made it through, it feels easier in hindsight.

What initiatives or actions do you believe are crucial for fostering a more supportive and inclusive business environment for women?

Representation matters. Women need access to mentors, funding opportunities, and flexible work structures that reflect the realities of parenting. Supporting female-founded companies and normalizing women in leadership roles creates a ripple effect that benefits families and communities.

What are the three most important habits to be a successful high performer or leader?

1. Be flexible. Set goals, yes, but don’t get so locked into them that you miss the opportunities unfolding around you. The best leaders stay curious. They listen to their customers, watch the market, and adapt when things shift. Flexibility isn’t about being indecisive; it’s about being responsive and open to better paths forward.

2. Be resilient. You’re going to make mistakes. You’ll face setbacks and circumstances completely outside your control. That’s just part of the journey. What matters is how you respond. If you’re building something big, something that lasts, you have to be able to take the hit, learn from it, and keep moving. Resilience is what keeps you in the game.

3. Be ready. Opportunities don’t always come with a warning. Sometimes they show up disguised as problems or pivots. The best leaders are prepared, not just with plans, but with the mindset to act when the moment comes. If you’re aiming to build something lasting, maybe even a 100-year company, you have to be ready to step up when it counts.

Do you have a favorite quote or motto that inspires you?

Yes. One that’s always stayed with me is Ralph Waldo Emerson’s definition of success. He wrote:

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better… to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

This quote grounds me. It reminds me that success isn’t just about metrics or milestones, it’s about impact. It’s about showing up with integrity, lifting others up, and staying true to your values, even when things get hard. As a founder, a mom, and someone building something for families, this definition of success feels deeply personal. If even one parent feels more confident, more supported, or freer because of what we’ve built, then that’s success to me.

Conclusion:

Lisa Myers’ journey from frustrated working mom to founder of Ceres Chill is a powerful example of purpose-driven entrepreneurship. By turning a personal challenge into a global solution, she’s shown that innovation doesn’t require perfection, as it requires passion, resilience, and a deep understanding of the people you serve. Her story offers valuable lessons for any aspiring founder: start where you are, listen to your community, and never underestimate the impact of building with heart.

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