Woman, entrepreneur, CEO, investor: a few words that precisely defined who I’ve been for most of my adult life. Historically, my career dictated most of my days, with a whirlwind of meetings, events, travel, and emails flying at all hours. I was comfortable and fulfilled with my place in that world. Then, life threw me the ultimate curveball—a surprise pregnancy. Eight pregnancy tests later, the initial shock gave way to a flood of questions and uncertainties. The biggest one being, how I would be able to balance my thriving career and new life as a mother.
Uncertainty led to excitement as I embraced the blessing of becoming a mother. As I started to research the next steps in my pregnancy, I became incredibly overwhelmed and found that most pregnancy education was focused on the baby’s needs. Naturally, I wanted the best for her, yet I yearned to understand how to navigate the journey for myself and to care for my own well-being while nurturing the precious life growing within me.
Thankfully, the universe connected me with incredible women who had walked the path before me. They listened, eased my worries, and empowered me to redefine motherhood in an authentic and liberating way. They taught me to prioritize my own health, happiness, and purpose—ensuring I could be the best mother to my little girl.
Now a year into my motherhood journey, I’m inspired to share how this transformative advice shaped my path. It’s true what they say: motherhood is both beautiful and challenging—it sparks profound personal growth, yet unravels us unlike anything else. But what surprised me most, was that entering motherhood enhanced my career in ways that I never could have imagined. What I had initially feared would be a collision of worlds instead transpired as a convergence in the most meaningful ways. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that working at all was only possible for me because of the community that I was fortunate enough to be surrounded with. Family and partners who partake in the family load, along with hired support—whether it be nannies, babysitters, housekeepers and others—are truly the only way to make it all work. Quite frankly, this is true whether a mother’s career is in the home or outside of it. Not to mention the healers and wellness providers that regulate our nervous systems and keep our well-being in check. We often don’t realize the value of something until we fully experience the benefits of it. Prenatal lymphatic massage? Virtual doulas? Postnatal meal prep? Invaluable. The fact that you can even register for those services for your baby shower on Little Honey Money? Genius. Truly, the more we focus on our own well-being as mothers, the better we can show up for both ourselves and our babies.
After a successful exit of my business earlier this year, I was excited to explore what the next chapter of my career would look like. While my previous ventures existed in male-dominated industries, I noticed myself craving a connection to other strong women, and knew that I wanted to hone in on that energy. I also knew that I had accumulated valuable knowledge in growing my prior businesses, and was bursting to impart it on other entrepreneurial women. And, especially after giving birth and embracing the transformative process of becoming a mother, I now know to my core that feminine power knows no bounds.
Enter my latest venture—The Collective64—a curated, members-only sanctuary for women looking to co-create and share wisdom, wealth, and power amongst one another. It’s an homage to the divine feminine in the most modern way—a communal guiding light to navigate the business world with confidence, clarity, and unwavering support. I am so proud to host a space that connects women to forge bonds of trust, love, and peace in their respective businesses—something that I wish I had had long ago in my career. To build community in a space where women set one another up for success, while unfolding with purpose and empowerment, is unbelievably rewarding work that complements and enriches my role as a mother in so many ways.
I often reflect on the women who inspired me early on during my motherhood journey. Just when I found myself surrounded with uncertainty and overwhelm, they appeared with the words of wisdom and guidance that I desperately needed to navigate the unchartered territory. And now it’s my honor and purpose to offer the same to other women.
Olivia Steele is co-founder of The Collective64. Schedule a 15 minute chat with Olivia here. For more career x motherhood inspiration, follow along with Olivia on instagram.
