For generations, women have been told they can “have it all.” Yet for many entrepreneurs balancing motherhood, leadership, and personal identity, that phrase often feels less like a promise and more like a puzzle - one with shifting pieces and no single solution. Across Northern Colorado, women are building businesses while raising families, navigating the constant push and pull between ambition and presence, growth and grounding. Their days are not neatly divided; instead, they are layered with competing priorities, unexpected demands, and moments that require both strength and surrender.
What emerges from their experiences is not the polished image of perfect balance, but something far more honest and sustainable. Their stories reveal a new framework for success: one built not on perfection, but on alignment, purpose, resilience, and the quiet discipline of showing up day after day. It is found in early mornings, difficult decisions, and the courage to redefine what “enough” looks like on their own terms.
Because for the women leading these lives and businesses, success is not defined by doing everything at once. It is defined by steadiness; the ability to remain anchored amid constant motion.
And in that steadiness, they balance the crown.
Jenny Pearson - Founder, Room 9 3/4 Skincare Studio
“Success feels less about numbers and much more about alignment.”
For Jenny Pearson, success once looked like growth. Early in her career as an esthetician and business owner, it meant full appointment books, expanding services, increasing revenue, and constantly pushing for the next milestone. Like many entrepreneurs, she equated success with numbers. But as her business and family grew, her perspective changed.
Success now means helping clients feel confident and comfortable in their own skin while also modeling independence and passion for her children.
“At this stage of my life, success feels much less about numbers and much more about alignment,” Pearson says. “While I’m still proud of the growth and the milestones, success now is creating a business that supports my family while allowing me to be present for them.”
Running a business, however, can easily consume every hour of the day.
“Owning a business absolutely has the potential to take over your life if you let it,” she explains. To protect her time and energy, Pearson has implemented practical boundaries. She limits the number of clients she sees in a day, schedules dedicated time for administrative tasks, and protects certain evenings and weekends strictly for family. “When I’m working, I try to be fully present. When I’m home, I try to really be home.” Even with those systems, the tension between work and family still exists.
“Entrepreneurship doesn’t have an off switch,” she says. “There are seasons where the business requires more energy, and learning to give myself grace during those times has been important.” The reality of balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, she says, rarely looks polished. “Some days feel empowering and aligned, and other days feel messy and stretched thin.” Her day might begin by providing a relaxing facial and educating clients on skincare routines, then shift quickly to packing lunches, organizing school schedules, and planning the next week of appointments.
“There’s a narrative that women should ‘do it all’ effortlessly,” Pearson says. “But the truth is that balance requires support, flexibility, and grace.” Her advice for other women navigating similar paths is simple. “Give yourself permission to build your own version of balance. It won’t look like anyone else’s, and that’s okay.” www.room934.com
McKay Crist - Owner, HOTWORX Windsor
“You can have it all, but not all at the same time on the same day.”
McKay Crist’s life moves at an extraordinary pace. She works full-time at Amazon designing global systems to help people with disabilities succeed in warehouse environments, while also owning HOTWORX Windsor, a fitness studio offering infrared workouts tailored for busy lifestyles.
At home, she’s raising two young children. Parker, who recently turned one, stays home full-time with her, while Kallahan, age three, is already growing up around the family business. The timing of family and entrepreneurship even overlapped memorably: McKay’s daughter was born the same day construction began on the studio.
For McKay, success isn’t defined by financial metrics. Instead, she measures it by how present and dependable she can be in each of her roles. “My success looks like being a present mom, a present spouse, a good business owner and manager, and someone my friends can rely on,” she says.
Balancing all of these roles, however, is an ongoing learning process, and boundaries remain a challenge. “I’m not sure I’ve mastered them yet,” she admits. Her children have grown up around the business, often visiting the studio and interacting with staff and members. “My son loves telling people his parents own HOTWORX,” she says.
Entrepreneurship brings constant pressure. “There’s always a pull to do more for the business. There’s a never-ending list of things to do.” That pressure can lead to guilt when she takes time for herself. “I always feel like I should be doing more.”
Recently, McKay has focused more intentionally on her own well-being, recognizing that caring for herself allows her to better show up for her job, business, and family. “My physical and mental health sometimes suffer so that everything else can get done,” she says. “But lately I’ve been trying to focus more on myself so I can be fully present.”
Her advice to other women is grounded in realism. “You have to show up for yourself first,” she says. “Whether that’s working out, taking a walk, or doing something that helps you recharge.” Ultimately, she believes the myth of doing everything perfectly must be let go. “It’s not possible to do it all. But you can build a life where everything that matters gets its moment.” www.hotworx.net/studio/windsor
Becky Lauridsen - Founder, IOME Wellness
“You can do anything, but you cannot do everything.”
Becky Lauridsen’s business began during one of the most difficult seasons of her life. After experiencing burnout and postpartum depression, she realized that mental health support often arrives far too late - after people have already reached a breaking point. “I knew there had to be a better way to support mental health before someone feels completely depleted,” she says. That realization led to the creation of IOME, a wellness organization offering counseling, coaching, neurofeedback, and holistic services designed to support mental well-being before burnout occurs.
The philosophy behind the business is simple: “You deserve the best because your loved ones deserve the best of you, not what’s left of you.” For Lauridsen, success is measured by presence. “A wildly successful business would mean very little to me if it cost me being the wife and mother I want to be,” she says.
At the same time, pursuing her passion has made her a better parent.
“Helping others and building IOME fills me with purpose.” One of the most important lessons she has learned is the importance of delegation. “I had to accept that I’m not designed to do everything well,” Lauridsen says. Instead of trying to manage every task, she focuses on the areas where she creates the most impact: vision, relationship building, and problem solving. “Delegation has been one of the most important disciplines in my life.”
Lauridsen also challenges the traditional concept of work-life balance. “I prefer the idea of work-life harmony,” she says. Balance suggests equal distribution. Harmony suggests a meaningful arrangement. “That’s what I strive for; a pleasing arrangement between my work and my life.”
Her advice to women navigating entrepreneurship is rooted in resilience. “I believe you can truly have it all. You can pursue your passion and still show up for the people you love (including yourself). It won't be easy, because by definition, easy means without effort. But it can be simple. Simply love what you do, love who you are with, and love yourself along the way." www.iowemenow.com
Mandy Mullen - Founder, run.Windsor & miles.Beyond Running Company
“Success isn’t scale, it’s sustainability.”
Mandy Mullen didn’t just start a race company; she built a movement and community that stretches across Colorado. Through run.Windsor (now miles.Beyond Running Company), she produces endurance events that bring together athletes of all ages and abilities. What began as a small local race series has grown into a regional platform hosting road races, relays, ultras, a podcast, and more, creating opportunities for people to push their limits while connecting with others.
“Early in my career, success meant building businesses from the ground up and pushing through obstacles,” she says. Back then, it was about growth and proving to herself that she could take an idea and make it real. Today, however, success is measured differently. “It’s building something meaningful while still being present for my family,” she explains.
During race weeks, the lines between work and personal life blur. “Logistics, volunteers, sponsors, permits; it all converges at once,” Mullen says. The pressure is constant, but one strategy has helped her manage it: building strong, dependable teams. “I work hard to make sure we have the right people in the right seats,” she says, emphasizing that no one can, nor should, do it all alone.
Her children have grown up in the running community. From working events to becoming runners themselves, they are part of it all. While the business has grown, so have the personal running pursuits of Mullen and her husband, now ultra runners. Mullen has completed three 100-mile races, including the Leadville 100, and will toe the line at the Cocodona 250 in May. “What’s become most important to me is that the kids are by our side, whether working events or crewing us,” Mullen says. “Through this, they experience the value of hard work and the meaningful impact running has, not just for the community we serve but for our family.”
Balance shifts with the seasons and demands of life. “Some days my house is messy, emails go unanswered, and I squeeze in training between meetings.” Yet even in the chaos, she finds meaning. “My kids are watching me build something from scratch; that, to me, is powerful.” gomilesbeyond.com/runwindsorraceseries
Arielle Garfinkle - Founder, The Smile Garden
“Don’t forget to laugh! Big laughs = Big wins!”
For Arielle Garfinkle, entrepreneurship is still in its earliest chapter. Her dental practice, The Smile Garden, has been open for just six months, and in this early stage, success looks refreshingly simple.
“Success right now just feels like the phones at the office are ringing,” she says. “The schedule fills and I can pay my bills.” It’s a grounded perspective, one rooted in the tangible markers of a fledgling business. At home, success is even more meaningful. “Two healthy kids and a loving husband who I still laugh with,” she adds, noting that the personal side of life is as much a priority as the professional.
Launching a business, however, comes with constant mental noise. Social media, while essential for marketing, can easily pull attention away from family. “I use an app to block myself from social media when I come home,” Garfinkle explains. “I don’t want my kids to feel like my phone steals my attention.” Organization is another critical survival strategy. “I keep one notebook where everything goes,” she says. “I can’t keep it all in my head.”
Support systems have also become essential. “Hiring a babysitter has been huge for us,” she notes. “We don’t have family here, so free help doesn’t exist.” Those moments away from work allow her to maintain both her marriage and her mental health. “Creating time to work out, get massages, do yoga; those things help me reset,” she says, emphasizing that self-care is not optional when balancing business and family life.
Starting a business means navigating stress, risk, and financial pressure, but there are also moments that remind her why she made the leap. “Seeing my vision for the practice come to life feels like success,” Garfinkle says. She wanted to create a dental office where patients feel safe and relaxed, and where staff enjoy coming to work. “If we can laugh together during the day, that feels like a big win,” she says. Those simple yet meaningful victories - full schedules, happy patients, and joyful staff - mark the milestones of her early entrepreneurial journey, blending professional fulfillment with personal well-being. www.smilegardenwindsor.com
Naomi Rutkey - Naomi Rutkey, Realtor
“Serve the right people, in the right way.”
For Naomi Rutkey, success once meant production numbers: homes closed, deals completed, and constant business growth. In the early days of her real estate career, she measured achievement by metrics, striving to hit quotas and expand her client base. It was a world defined by numbers and tangible milestones, where the pressure to perform often felt relentless.
Today, her definition of success has shifted dramatically. “Success means building a business I’m proud of while still being present for my family,” Rutkey says. That balance between professional accomplishment and personal fulfillment has become the true measure of achievement in her life.
A major turning point came when Rutkey stopped separating her personal identity from her professional one. “I’m bold about my faith. I lead with my values,” she explains. By embracing authenticity, she discovered a new way to connect with clients; working with people whose goals and ethics aligned with her own. “I get to work with clients who are in alignment with me,” she says. That alignment has not only made her work more rewarding but also more sustainable.
Real estate, however, rarely slows down. “The market doesn’t clock out at 5 p.m.,” Rutkey notes, reflecting on the constant demands of client communication, market research, and deal management. Technology and support systems have become essential tools, helping her manage the workload while staying focused on what matters most: relationships, strategy, and thoughtful decision-making.
Equally important has been her mindset. Rutkey has embraced acceptance and relinquished the illusion of total control. “I prepare, plan, and execute, but I also trust that I don’t control every outcome,” she says. That perspective has brought a sense of peace and clarity, allowing her to approach challenges with calm and resilience.
When it comes to achievement, Rutkey has redefined the stakes. “It’s okay not to be number one,” she reflects. For her, the real victories are simpler and more profound. “You’re winning when your children are happy, your family is fed, and you wake up with purpose.” In that perspective, success is no longer just a target to reach; it’s a way of living intentionally, guided by values, connection, and presence. naomirutkeyhome.com
Kari Schaneman - Co-Owner, Bumblebee Blinds
“Sometimes we must choose which ball to gently drop.”
For Kari Schaneman, entrepreneurship and motherhood often feel like a constant juggling act. Running her own business while raising a family means that every day is filled with competing priorities, and the line between professional and personal responsibilities can blur quickly. “I’m pulled in so many directions that it often feels like something is always getting left behind,” she says, capturing the challenge of balancing multiple demanding roles.
Some days, work takes center stage. Meetings, client calls, and pressing deadlines can consume her hours. Other days, family becomes the priority, with school drop-offs, meal prep, and bedtime routines dictating the pace. And that shifting reality has profoundly shaped how she defines success. “It’s not a finish line,” she explains. “It’s a moving target.” Success, for Schaneman, is less about achieving perfection and more about being intentional in each moment, whether at the office or at home.
To manage the chaos, Schaneman carefully blocks time for different business responsibilities, setting aside periods to focus on client work, strategy, and administration. When she’s with her family, she strives to be fully present, recognizing that attention and engagement are as valuable as time itself. Yet even the best-laid plans can be disrupted. “One busy week can throw everything off,” she admits, acknowledging that unpredictability is a constant companion in both entrepreneurship and parenting.
Her biggest realization has been a liberating one: “Time only allows so much to be done at one time, and that’s okay!” This understanding has helped her embrace the reality that perfection is neither realistic nor necessary. “Some days I feel like I’m thriving,” she says, “and other days I’m just choosing which ball to drop as gently as possible.”
Through it all, grace has become an essential guiding principle. Schaneman has learned to give herself permission to accept imperfection, to prioritize what matters most, and to celebrate the wins - both big and small - along the way. In doing so, she continues to navigate the dual demands of business and family with resilience, presence, and a quiet confidence that success is not a destination, but a journey of balance, intention, and flexibility. www.bumblebeeblinds.com/northern-co
Jessica Martinac - Owner, Designing Beauty Academy
“Trust is essential. Empower the leaders around you.”
Jessica Martinac believes that success is built collectively. Designing Beauty Academy, the cosmetology and barber school she operates alongside her family, was founded on the principle that students, educators, and staff should feel like part of a supportive, connected community. From the beginning, Martinac prioritized creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to grow.
Over time, her definition of success has evolved beyond traditional measures of business growth. “It’s no longer just about building a thriving business,” she says. “It’s about impact, balance, and legacy.” That perspective is deeply personal for Martinac, a mother of three, for whom family and work are intertwined but equally important. “Success is creating something meaningful that positively impacts people’s lives while still allowing me to prioritize my family,” she explains.
Running a school and salon, however, requires constant attention and leadership. To manage the demands of her business while preserving personal time, Martinac emphasizes the importance of strong teams and delegation. “Delegating responsibilities and empowering leaders within the organization allows the business to run smoothly without requiring me to be involved in every decision,” she says. By trusting her staff and cultivating leadership from within, she creates space for both family life and long-term business growth, ensuring the academy thrives even when she isn’t directly overseeing every detail.
Still, the tension between professional responsibilities and family time occasionally surfaces. “There are moments when big decisions compete with family time,” Martinac admits. Yet she has learned that perseverance is part of entrepreneurship. “Success isn’t built in the moments when things feel easy,” she says. “It’s built on the days you show up tired, uncertain, or challenged, and keep going anyway.”
For Martinac, the true measure of achievement lies in the combination of personal fulfillment, professional impact, and the ability to positively influence the next generation of students and staff. By focusing on people, relationships, and values, she has created a business that reflects not only her vision but also her commitment to a life that balances ambition, service, and family. It’s a reminder that success is less about individual accolades and more about the lasting effect of showing up, leading with intention, and fostering community. www.designingbeautyacademy.com
Paige Carey - Founder, Paige Carey Organizing
“Different seasons allow space for different priorities.”
For Paige Carey, success isn’t defined by business growth alone. At this stage of her life, it’s defined by balance. “Work-life balance is how I define success right now,” she says. “A delicate balance of both.” Like many parents, Carey once assumed that as her children got older they would need her less, leaving more room to focus on her business. Instead, she discovered something different.
“I realized middle school and high school kids need you just as much, just for different reasons.” Teenagers require less hands-on care, but more emotional presence: someone to listen, encourage, and show up when it matters. “They need family dinners, coffee dates, and a mom cheering on the sidelines,” Carey says.
Since founding Paige Carey Organizing in 2019, she has built a company dedicated to cultivating peace through organized homes. The business has grown to include luxury home organizing, downsizing services, and concierge moving support throughout Northern Colorado. That growth, she says, would not be possible without the team around her. “As my business has grown over the last six years, developing a talented team has helped tremendously.” Their ability to manage projects and create functional spaces allows Carey to focus on the broader vision of the business while staying present for her family.
Still, entrepreneurship rarely switches off.
“When you own a small business, it’s on your mind 24/7,” she says. “You don’t just walk away from it at the end of the workday.” To make it work, Carey intentionally structures her schedule around family life. Client appointments stay within school hours, evenings are reserved for family dinners and sporting events, and administrative work often happens after the kids go to bed.
Her philosophy about balance comes from a lesson passed down by her mother, who also owned a business. “She always said, ‘You can do it all, you just can’t do it all at the same time.’” For Carey, that reminder offers an important perspective for women navigating entrepreneurship and motherhood: different seasons allow space for different priorities. “Build your foundation now,” she says. “Be proud of what you’ve created, and give yourself grace along the way.” www.paigecareyorganizing.com