Redefining Ambition: How One New Mom is Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship on Her Own Terms

Taryn community founder, podcast and retreat host, and transformational coach. She’s passionate about creating intentional spaces where connection, restoration, and growth can thrive. Through powerful storytelling and authentic leadership, Taryn empowers others to live in alignment with their purpose and lead with confidence, inspiring change within themselves and their communities.

She’s also the founder of The Black Platform Co., a growing community where Black women in strength sports come together to support and uplift one another—on and off the platform. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect in person at our annual TBP Retreat this August!

In a candid reflection, Taryn opens up about the realities of navigating life as both a full-time entrepreneur and mother, balancing milestones, exhaustion, and business growth. She offers practical advice for other moms juggling both worlds: set realistic goals, take small steps daily, and find a supportive community.

They said I’d change after having a baby.

And they were right.

I was laid off while pregnant and everyone warned me that motherhood would shift my priorities, soften my drive, change everything.

They were right… but not in the way they expected.

I did change.

I had a baby, and my body no longer feels like mine.

I had a baby, and I’ve never been more exhausted.

I had a baby, and most days, I’m figuring it out as I go.

I had a baby, and I’m still wildly ambitious.

I had a baby, and my goals didn’t disappear, they deepened.

I had a baby, and now, I know exactly why I’m building what I am.

Motherhood didn’t erase my ambition. It clarified it.

If we’re just meeting,hey, I’m Taryn. I preach about taking up space. And as a new mom and entrepreneur, it’s been a challenge to figure out how to manage life as both a full-time entrepreneur and a full-time mom (because, let’s be real, there is no off switch).

Between breastfeeding, milestones, and general momming, there are days I don’t know how I’ll ever make a consistent income as an entrepreneur. And yet, my goals didn’t disappear when I had my daughter. Honestly, they got even more delusional (in the best way).

Society tells women they have to choose: be a mom or go to work.

But what if you want to do BOFFEM?

I had a daughter to show her how incredibly talented, persistent, impactful, and strong I am. And that means showing up for myself and reaching my goals.

Now, that doesn’t mean I just hop out of bed and go get it. It means I’ve had to bring more flexibility, more strategy, and more intentional effort to the table. And let me tell you… that alone is hard.

I’ll never sugarcoat it and tell you it’s easy to do BOAF,  be a mom and build a future. But I will never let myself (or you) believe that dreams have to die because we added “Mommy” to our résumés.

So if you have big dreams AND a baby on your hip, here are my top 3 tips to help you prioritize both:

1. You’re allowed to have goals. Now write ONE down.

Give yourself permission to dream again, even if it sounds delusional. Pick one specific, realistic goal to aim for. It doesn’t need to happen in 30 days. Give yourself 60. Just choose one. Let that focus anchor you in this new season.

2. Girl, you’re going to be tired. What’s one thing you CAN do?

I’m not about hustle culture, but I am about effort. Every day, I ask myself: What’s one small thing I CAN do today to move toward my goal?

That could be 10 minutes. 30 minutes. A baby-sized sprint. Not every day will look the same, and that’s okay. Give yourself grace and the space to keep going.

3. Find your community and share your wins.

Whether it’s LinkedIn, Threads, your group chat, or an in-person circle, share your wins. Share your proud moments. We spend too much time in self-critique and not enough in self-celebration.

You are keeping a whole human alive, fed, and healthy. That alone deserves a standing ovation. Give yourself your flowers.

Motherhood is the hardest job in the world. Adding your personal and professional dreams on top of that? Whew. Words can’t even capture it sometimes.

But listen… you’re doing GREAT.

Even on the days you feel off balance, you are right where you need to be.

If this resonated with you, come hang out in my corner of the internet: LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube. 

And if you’re a Black woman who wants to give yourself a weekend to yourself and workout with a group of Black women, come join us in August at The Black Platform Retreat. 

Special thanks to Haley ONeill for collecting this list for HR/People roles. Make sure to connect or follow her on LinkedIn for all things recruiting.

P.S. I am not the recruiter for these roles. Please do your due diligence and click the link that is provided to learn more about each role.

💖 Ford Motor Company, Manager, Learning & Development: https://lnkd.in/eA2ky-Um

🍾 Wiz, HR Business Partner: https://lnkd.in/ebQqDfxB

💖 Great Question, Talent and People Operations Manager: https://lnkd.in/ewANMpe6

🍾 Foodsmart, Technical Recruiter: https://lnkd.in/e5PTywhD

💖 Coleto Brands, Senior Manager of Employee Experience: https://lnkd.in/eTZja-RQ

🍾 Thalamus, Technical Talent Partner: https://lnkd.in/eVkxQnTi

💖 Ontra, Senior Employee Brand Specialist: https://lnkd.in/eeg6dYEy

🍾 GrowthLoop, Head of People Operations: https://lnkd.in/eAZvc4bJ

💖 Zillow, Sr Manager, Talent Acquisition - Tech: https://lnkd.in/eNYVGvFm

🍾 CoinTracker, People Ops Generalist: https://lnkd.in/e_MwnpBa

TIP OF THE DAY:  How to Read a Job Description and Tailor Your Resume Like a Pro

Reading a job description is more than checking boxes—it’s about understanding what the company really wants and showing how you can deliver. Here’s how to make your resume stand out:

1. Highlight keywords – Look for repeated phrases, skills, and qualifications. These are your clues. If you see terms like “client communication” or “process improvement,” find ways to reflect that (truthfully) in your resume.

2. Mirror the language—not the whole paragraph – Match their tone and terminology, but do not copy and paste the job description word-for-word. Recruiters can spot that instantly. Use their language as inspiration, not a script.

3. Add metrics where possible – Don’t just say you “handled customer inquiries.” Say you “resolved 50+ inquiries daily with a 95% satisfaction rate.” Numbers help recruiters see your impact clearly and quickly.

4. Prioritize what’s relevant – Customize your bullet points to highlight experience that matches the job’s top priorities. What worked for one role might not be what this one values most.

5. Include a tailored summary – A brief summary at the top of your resume can be used to directly connect your skills to what the company is looking for. Keep it short, specific, and aligned with the role.

Small adjustments go a long way. A tailored resume shows intention—and that’s what gets you noticed.