Working Moms on Career and Caregiving

Hi all,

It’s a new week. Thanks to everyone for their feedback and kind words on our last post: The 6 Questions to Ask When You’re Looking for a New PR Agency. The process is neither an art nor a science, but truthfully, a combination of the two, and it’s certainly not an objective experience, either. At the end of the day, what you really want is a partner who aligns with your greater vision while sharing your core values. Those questions are here to help guide you as you suss that out.

As much as we love to prioritize service-based content, we wanted to get a bit more personal today and talk about something in pop culture that’s been occupying our brain space — and our internal Slack channels — for the last week.

You may have seen clips from Ellen Pompeo’s viral appearance on the March 19, 2025 episode of “Call Her Daddy”. In her interview with Alex Cooper, the actor behind the one, the only Meredith Grey spoke candidly about money, power, and motherhood, among other things. In the case the later, Ellen referenced her working relationship with “Grey’s Anatomy” creator Shonda Rhimes, particularly as she embarked on her fertility journey — which included welcoming daughter Sienna May (10) and son Eli Christopher (8) via surrogacy, after giving birth to her eldest, Stella, in 2009. During these years, Rhimes made it possible for Ellen to film just one day a week, which allowed her to build a full life as a mother while still building upon her acting career.

@callherdaddy

We ❤️ our daddy gang moms!!!! @Ellen Pompeo

♬ original sound - Call Her Daddy

As mothers ourselves, we were most struck by this quote, which has since been making the rounds:

“You cannot be a mother and have children and give 100% to your job. You can’t… But you know what that does? It makes you more soulful… you will just be a better version of yourself. But that’s only a plus. It makes you richer. It makes you more soulful. You will be yourself times a thousand.”

This resonated deeply and in the days since Ellen’s interview aired, has served as a perfect springboard into a conversation about the transformative power of stepping away — yes, away — from family life.

Our thoughts, organized below:

1. Time away from your family isn’t a detriment; it can actually make you better at home and in life. When we allow ourselves a breather outside of our family, whether through our work or our hobbies, we enrich our perspectives and come back to our families with renewed energy and clarity. It’s in those moments away that we grow, learn new things, and ultimately become more well-rounded individuals — which make us better mothers. Plus, a little distance can help us appreciate what we have at home even more, deepening our connections with our loved ones.

2. Being a mother isn’t just about nurturing children; it’s about setting an example. But is it rarely so easy. Let’s not forget the higher expectations that come with being a mom. We become mirrors for both our kids and our workplaces, striving to create environments that reflect our values. As we navigate our careers, we become keenly aware that our actions shape not just our own futures, but also the kind of world we want our children to inherit. We have a unique opportunity to create better human-led companies that prioritize empathy, understanding, and genuine connection.

3. Learn to embrace capitalism without hesitation; it is entirely acceptable to pursue profit in a principled manner. Running a business with a focus on these qualities can lead to significant success. You can absolutely have a competitive, thriving company without giving up what matters most, like your family time. Embracing our “multitudes” means we can juggle all our roles without breaking a sweat. When we tap into our diverse skills and viewpoints, we build workplaces that reflect what we stand for. This isn’t just about making money, but about creating a culture rooted in empathy and real connection — just like the kind of values we want to share with our kids. Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship not only boosts our careers, but also shows our children how to be resilient and adaptable in this wild world.

Here at JBC, we work every single day to embrace this dual role — not just for ourselves, but those who look up to us.

So if we may leave you with just one piece of wisdom: Remember that time spent away isn’t wasted. It’s a chance to grow, refine our values, and create a ripple effect of positivity both at home and in our professional lives.

Let’s continue this conversation: How do you find balance in your own life? Let us know in the comments!

Cheers,

Jenny & Melissa

It’s also why we believe so deeply in the founder-led era — brands built by women who bring their full selves to the work.