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From artisan bread to fitness platforms, these women are baking businesses and building futures—all while embracing the messy, magnificent dance of motherhood
Mother’s Day 2025: The invisible labor of motherhood in entrepreneurship isn’t just about multitasking—it’s about redefining resilience, daily.
Entrepreneurship is often romanticized as a high-stakes pursuit of dreams, strategy, and grit. But for women who are also mothers, the journey takes on a deeper, more layered meaning—one that blends boardroom decisions with bedtime routines, investor meetings with immunization charts. The invisible labor of motherhood in entrepreneurship isn’t just about multitasking—it’s about redefining resilience, daily.
For Aditi Handa, Co-founder and Head Chef, The Baker’s Dozen, motherhood hasn’t been a disruption to her entrepreneurial journey—it has been its most profound teacher. “Balancing a growing business and raising children isn’t about achieving perfect harmony every day,” she shares. “It’s about being present in the moment you’re in. Some days, work takes precedence; on others, it’s about being fully available to my kids. And that’s okay. I’ve learned to be kinder to myself in that process.”
This grace of acceptance is echoed by Arushi Verma, co-founder, FITPASS, who reflects on her dual journey of building a wellness empire while navigating new motherhood. “I’ve always referred to FITPASS as my first baby—built it from the ground up with relentless care, long hours and unwavering belief,” she says. “So, when I was expecting my child, I felt mentally prepared. Of course, nurturing a child is a different experience altogether, but the foundation is the same: presence, patience, and perseverance.”
For both women, time isn’t managed—it’s intentionally curated. Aditi approaches her day with clear priorities and safeguards space for small rituals that ground her. “Even if it’s just a few minutes for reading or a quiet cup of coffee—it makes a difference. Self-care isn’t indulgence, it’s fuel,” she says. Arushi, a long-time yoga practitioner, shares a similar sentiment: “When your wellbeing is intact, you lead better—whether that’s at home, at work, or somewhere in between.”
That mental clarity, they both agree, doesn’t come from trying to “do it all”—it comes from knowing what not to do. For Arushi, that clarity is rooted in adaptability and ruthless prioritisation. “You can plan all you want, but adaptability is non-negotiable—some days you follow the schedule, and others, you follow your instinct,” she says. “There’s no perfect formula, only an evolving rhythm.”
The evolution of mindset is one of the less spoken-about transformations motherhood brings. Aditi believes that becoming a parent made her a better entrepreneur. “It made me more patient, more resilient, and more purpose-driven,” she explains. “Every product we create at The Baker’s Dozen goes through the lens of a mother—‘Would I give this to my child?’ That question grounds everything.”
Support systems, both women affirm, are non-negotiable for any working mother—especially one running a business. “Cultivating strong support systems is vital, both at home and at the workplace,” says Arushi. “Building reliable networks isn’t optional—it’s fundamental to sustainable success.” It’s a belief Aditi echoes, along with another reminder: to set boundaries without guilt. “You don’t have to do it all, all the time. Ask for help.”
As much as this journey is about growth, it’s also about letting go—of perfection, of outdated expectations, of guilt. “Don’t strive for balance,” Arushi advises. “Strive for alignment. Choose your focus. And remember, your business and your baby both need the best version of you—not the perfect one, just the present one.”
From artisan bread to fitness platforms, these women are baking businesses and building futures—all while embracing the messy, magnificent dance of motherhood. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s essential—and because the invisible labor of love deserves to be seen.
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