My Keynote Reflections from This Mother Means Business Live

May 05, 2025
On April 4th, I stood on the stage at This Mother Means Business Live and shared a story I don’t tell often—because for a long time, I didn’t even realize how much it shaped the work I do now.

 

I asked the room a question:

 

“Does anyone feel like they’re drowning—not in Slack messages or snacks—but in expectation?”

 

Every hand went up. Mine included.

 

And that’s exactly why This Mother Means Business exists.
 

Let Me Take You Back…

Seven years ago, I was running a CrossFit gym in Bradford, five months postpartum, covered in spit-up and wearing leggings that had definitely seen better days. My husband, a firefighter, was on shift. I was exhausted, and just waiting for bedtime to roll around when I got a text from one of our coaches cancelling their 5:45 a.m. class. I panicked.

 

I texted 11 employees to find a replacement.

 

I got 11 nos.

 

So, I did what I thought I had to do—I called my mom, asked her to come stay the night, plugged myself into a wall to pump at 4:15 a.m., and drove to coach that class.

 

Why? Because I thought I didn’t have a choice.

 

But I did.
 

You Always Have a Choice

That story isn’t about hustle or sacrifice—it’s about a woman who didn’t yet know she could say no. I could have cancelled the class. I could have prioritized myself and my newborn. But back then, I didn’t know I was allowed to disappoint 12 people if it meant not disappointing myself.

 

And that’s the truth I want to share with you: You always have a choice.

 

Rewriting the Definition of “Good”

For so long, I believed being a “good mom” meant self-sacrifice. I believed being a “good entrepreneur” meant hustle. Put those two definitions together? It’s no wonder we’re so tired.

 

It wasn’t until I hired a nanny—six months postpartum and riddled with guilt—that I started to question everything. And what I discovered is this:
You don’t have to subscribe to anyone else’s definition of what being “good” means.

 

Not your mom’s. Not society’s. Not Instagram’s.

 

You get to decide.

 

So, I challenged the women in the room—and now, I’m challenging you—to write down what “being good” means to you. In motherhood. In business. In friendship. In partnership.

 

And then ask yourself:

 

Whose voice is this? Is it mine?

 

Because if it’s not, it’s time to change the script.
 

Build a Business That Fits Your Life

In 2020, the gym closed. I was eight weeks pregnant. And what felt like a devastating loss ended up being one of the biggest blessings I’ve ever received. For the first time, I could finally ask myself:

 

Do I even want this?

 

Spoiler: I didn’t.

 

I didn’t want to rebuild a business that required me to sacrifice my well-being. So I let it go. And that decision gave me the clarity to create something so much more aligned—what you see now as This Mother Means Business.

 

You don’t have to burn your business down like I did (unless you want to—kidding... sort of), but I am inviting you to ask:
Where does something need to change?

 

Boundaries: Not Walls, But Doors with Locks You Control

The truth? Most of what you hate about your business is a boundary issue. And boundaries aren’t about shutting people out—they’re about protecting what matters.

 

That means:
  • Saying no when your body says no (even if your mouth wants to say “sure”).
  • Separating your business phone from your personal one (yes, you’re allowed to do that).
  • Holding your own limits, even if no one else claps for it.
Because boundaries don’t keep people out—they keep you in alignment.

 

Get Out of the Race

Another truth? We’re all racing.

 

But many of us signed up for a race no one else even knows we’re running.

 

We’re sprinting toward some invisible finish line, measuring ourselves against strangers on the internet, and wondering why we feel like we’re always behind.

 

So here’s what I’m telling you—what I told that room of 65 powerhouse moms:
Get. Out. Of. The. Race.

 

You’re not behind. You’re not late. You’re just moving at your own pace—and that’s the only pace that matters.
 

Choosing Yourself Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Necessity

Choosing yourself isn’t about spa days (though I love a good facial). It’s about doing the unsexy things no one applauds:
  • Saying no without explanation
  • Taking up space unapologetically
  • Redefining what success looks like for you

 

That’s what This Mother Means Business is about.

 

Because meaning business doesn’t mean shrinking yourself to fit.

 

It means choosing yourself—consistently, courageously, imperfectly.

 

Some days you’ll feel like you’re crushing it. Other days, you’ll wonder if you’re doing anything right. But every day, you get to decide:
Will I choose me today?

 

That’s the challenge I leave you with.

 

Whether you were in the room with me or reading this now—I hope you do.

 

Check out the full keynote HERE

 

Laura

 

 

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