Last year at SXSW Sydney, Startup Daily editor Simon Thomsen collaborated on a panel about parenting as a founder.
Those who were there said it was powerful and one of the best sessions of the week.
With both kids now adults and at uni, Thomsen can assure anyone in the thick of it there is life at the end of the tunnel (and school fees).
But Startup Daily thought it would be good to ask founders, including several who’ve been part of Techstars Sydney in recent years for their advice on how to have your cake and feed your family too.
Here’s what they said.
Jenny Rudd
CEO & founder, Dispute Buddy (Techstars 2024)
5 kids
Dispute Buddy founder Jenny Rudd
My husband Mat Tomlinson and I have five children aged 16-21, they all live at home with us in Mt Maunganui, New Zealand.
Good: I love the chaotic fun and noise and energy of our home life with our kids. It’s so full of warmth and humour.
Every night at dinner we get to hear how the world (and how adults run it) looks through their eyes. Which is really helpful for me to build that knowledge into a startup that will serve the world when they’re the economic drivers.
Bad: I moved to Sydney for three months to take part in Techstars and so Mat had our five children while retraining to be a paramedic.
It’s uncomfortable knowing that Mat is shouldering such a huge load so that I can achieve my goals. We should remember that women make these sacrifices all the time with zero recognition. What a waste of potential.
Useful: Mat and I talking to each other at least 4 times a day. That way, we can hear how each other’s doing, and talk through the very many dramas that crop up around the kids. Parenting teens is an exercise in firefighting.
Parenting Stack: Family Face Times and group chats. To stay connected, I was always sending videos and photos, and asking the kids to send me selfies.
Mat and I are often the only ones talking in the family group chat. Turns out the kids have their own one that we aren’t invited into.
Running an early-stage startup with purpose, and having a big family feels like I’m living the absolute dream. I can’t stress enough though that the difference between it being a dream or a nightmare depends on your choice of partner. I speak from experience here.
Brittany Fox
CEO & founder, Nevam CX, (Techstars 2024)
2 kids
NevamCX founder Brittany Fox
Good: I started this business with a 3 year old and a 3 month old while on maternity leave.
The great thing about starting while they are so young is, they are in daycare and have sleep times so I had time to think, plan and research this business and start slow.
Once I made the plunge, I was ready and had a schedule in place with my husband to work around things.
The girls don’t know any different and they will now be raised by two parents who are obsessed with what they do. I hope that sets them up to believe in themselves and build a future they want.
Bad: Techstars was by far one of the best things to ever happen to me and the business. I knew it would be a family juggle where I would miss drop offs and pick-ups, things would fall through the cracks. That guilt is there for sure.
Now that it’s over I know it actually just made this really amazing bond between them and their dad that was always there, I just probably was blocking it thinking I needed to be some super mom that did everything.
Useful: My husband and I take turns. We sit down every year and talk about our ambitions as a person, couple and as a family.
Two years ago, it was his turn to work hard and go for that big promotion while I was pregnant and in babyland.
Now it’s my turn to build a business while he trains to hike Kokoda track and does all the swimming lessons, pick-ups and drop offs. So my advice is: put it all on the table and figure out the balance so you both are progressing towards a goal.
Parenting stack- Cashflow co- they have an app that sets up our financial forecast and puts every dollar to work so we don’t sacrifice without momentum.
Tinybeans- we have an international family so uploading photos between all of us to one collective app means everyone is updated and it’s easy for me to manage without having to send photos to everyone since I don’t share my kids on socials.
Claire Waring
CEO & cofounder, Gether (Techstars 2024)
2 kids
Gether cofounder Claire Waring
Good: My kids rarely do as I say, but they often do as I do. Being able to set an example of pursuing your dreams and making a real impact on people’s lives feels like a gift. It might sound corny, but as a parent to teenage boys, watching them start to emulate the hard work and determination needed to achieve their goals is incredible.
Bad: Startups don’t always pay the bills, and kids? They’re not exactly cheap.
Useful As a founder, you have a flexibility superpower—use it!
I can start my workday early and wrap up in time to pick up the kids from school. I can be there for the special school assemblies and all the big moments.
You get to decide how work and life blend; a privilege not many parents have.
Parenting Stack Gether.life – of course – to sort, schedule and remind me of everything.
WhatsApp, to be tortured by class chats, Gmail and Google Calendar to be inundated with school comms, “Find My” to literally find my kids and Paprika for meal planning and recipes.
Emma Earley
Global Head of Programs Remarkable, Cofounder Hello Canopy (Techstars 2024)
1 kid
Hello Canopy cofounder Emma Earley
Good: Parenthood really helps you focus on what’s most important and what not to waste time doing, thinking or worrying about.
This really supported the decision returning to work and founding a startup because I want to use my time much more consciously than before, so I only want to do things that are values-aligned and create a life that I find purposeful.
Bad: Becoming a parent and having a mortgage actually changed my risk appetite and it has been harder to take the plunge (again) into founder life.
The schedule and priority juggle is particularly challenging since my partner is also a business owner working nights, which means I do morning and night routines solo most nights. Combined with a toddler that hasn’t been a great sleeper since birth, it’s been really difficult trying to prioritise my own health and wellbeing. I’m ending 2024 a hair away from burnout.
Useful: Getting seriously organised, communicating openly and honestly with my partner about our schedules, needs, parenting values etc has been a lifesaver.
But also giving ourselves grace and accepting that very often, things don’t go to plan and there is a lot out of our control l. I’ve learned to become more patient, open-minded and adaptable since coming a parent.
And outsource whatever you can. Whether it’s grocery delivery, cleaning or using tech to ease the mental load of noticing and remembering things.
Parenting Stack: Shared Google calendars and reminders for everything. Pre-booking at the start of the year everything from haircuts to dentist appointments so there’s something already in the calendar that can be moved if needed. Amazon Prime subscriptions make sure certain items are delivered regularly without me needing to think about them.
I use Airtable for menu planning and ChatGPT when I don’t have the energy or inspiration to decide. Certain prompts make sure I have a variety of proteins, vegetables, seeds and fats across the week including toddler-friendly options for those fussy meal times.
Laetitia Andrac & Johan Erchoff
Founders, Understanding Zoe (Techstars 2024)
2 kids
Understanding Zoe cofounders and Zoe’s parents Laetitia Andrac and Johan Erchoff
Good:
Laetitia: Becoming a parent – especially to my daughter Zoe, who is autistic – was the catalyst for creating Understanding Zoe. Experiencing the mental, emotional, and logistical challenges of caring for a neurodivergent child while trying to thrive as a mum and a businesswoman highlighted the urgent need for better tools and support for caregivers.
My journey as a parent made me a better founder, and building something deeply personal gives me the energy to keep going, even on the hardest days.
Johan: By consistently waking up at 5am, I’ve carved out precious time for my workout and startup, while still being present for my daughters. Watching them absorb the values of discipline and resilience firsthand is one of the most fulfilling aspects of being both a parent and founder.
Bad:
Laetitia: Juggling parenting, caregiving, and founding a startup often feels like an impossible puzzle.
With two daughters, including Zoe’s therapy schedules and Lou’s growing needs, there are moments when I feel stretched to my limits.
Missing out on school events or skipping self-care for late-night work sessions is sometimes inevitable. Burnout, which I experienced 10 years ago, showed me that neglecting my well-being doesn’t serve my family or my business. It’s still a work in progress, but learning to set boundaries has been essential.
Johan: Bad: Between a high-pressure role at Woolworths, launching a new business and caring for my autistic daughter’s unique needs, I’m often pulled in many directions. The guilt and stress can pile up when I feel like I’m not giving enough to anyone—family, startup, or myself.
Useful:
Laetitia: One mantra I hold onto is: “There’s no perfect balance, only intentional choices.”
Body doubling has been a powerful focus tool for me as a neurodivergent founder. Working alongside someone, even virtually, helps me stay grounded and productive, especially when the to-do list feels overwhelming. Grounding rituals, like short meditations, journaling, or a quick walk outdoors, help me reset during chaotic moments and remind me that rest is productive, too.
Johan: Useful: One game-changer for me is never skipping my workouts or personal “prep time” in the morning. I show up better in every role when I’m physically and mentally grounded. It’s also about pacing myself: acknowledging I can’t do it all at once, and that’s OK.
Parenting Stack:
Laetitia: My number one parenting stack is of course, Understanding Zoe, especially its journal feature, which gives everyone in Zoe’s support network real-time updates on her needs and progress.
It creates a sense of shared responsibility and ensures Zoe feels supported by her entire village. At home, we use weekly family check-ins to stay connected and intentional as a team. These tools help keep the chaos manageable, especially with two kids and a business to run.
Johan: The Sleep Cycle app helps me monitor my sleep and identify the best time to wake up according to my sleep cycles, ensuring I’m well-rested for the day ahead.
Understanding Zoe allows me to log and track how my neurodivergent daughter is doing and uses AI to identify the best strategies to support her daily needs.
James Reilly
CEO of Latent Knowledge (Techstars 2023)
1 kid
Good: My daughter was born as I was 2.5yrs into my founder journey. My startup was born during the pandemic, so we always had a flexible approach to getting things done.
But we double downed on this approach once I was juggling fatherhood and founderhood. Today, accommodating folks’ unique life needs is core to our team ethos, which opens up contributions from people that otherwise would be sidelined.
Bad: The exhaustion is real. Brain fog. Startup operations and company housekeeping sometimes suffers. It is important to remember that founders are people, too, so I am transparent with my team when I’m not at 100%, establishing transparency and trust to enable people to step up when the see me lagging.
Useful: Set high standards for the company but expect there to be setbacks or mishaps. Ensure the team is comfortable speaking their mind but watching their mouth. This establishes a foundation of trust or respect across the startup, which leads to long term growth and performance.
Parenting stack: Ensure people are expressing their personal needs and getting them met before diving straight into work aims. Use emojis in chats and talk about feelings in combination with technical and professional communications.
Cam Richardson
CEO & founder, Paysquad
3 kids
Cam Richardson and Stirling on his shoulders
Good: Founder life is super flexible. I can go for a long bike ride on a sunny day with my kids (2 and 3), then work away in the late evening.
Bad: It’s easy to fall into what I call a ‘crazy cycle’ where you feel guilty that you’re missing time with your kids while working, then feel guilty that you’re not working while spending time with your kids. It divides your attention, and both suffer.
Useful: I avoid the crazy cycle by setting very realistic and unambitious goals on what I can achieve during work time. When I’ve achieved those goals (and often more), I carry a sense of momentum, energy, and presentness into time with my kids.
Parenting Stack:
- Amazing Grandparents for babysitting
- 2007 MPV van to prevent doors from being opened into other cars and double as a mobile office
- Mini trampoline in my office to keep kids occupied for an extra 2 minutes
- Thermomix for simplified meals
- Bradley Method for baby #3 birth
Marie Dowling
Founder & CEO, Newsary
2 kids (including a newborn)
Newsary founder Marie Dowling
Good: Like many founders, becoming a parent led to me becoming a Founder.
If I was going to work any hours that fit my at-the-time 8-month-old nap times, it had to be something I was truly passionate about. And for me that was building a more democratic and targeted future of public relations.
I’d like to think that if I launched my startup with young kids, there’s nothing I can’t do.
Bad: There are only so many hours during a day, so looking after a baby/toddler and founding a startup quickly meant all my time was spent either parenting or working. And this happened at the detriment of other well-being activities, like sleeping or reading. After a couple of burnouts, I learned you can’t pour from an empty cup.
While I am still experimenting, I found routine and planning, while not 100% bulletproof, really help – or at least help with rest. And so does asking for more help at home and at work; clearly articulating what you need takes some od burden away.
Useful: One of the best advice I received on the whole juggle parenting/founding was from Kate O’Keeffe from Heatseeker: the art/need of reframing the hard times into positives. You can’t do it all, all alone.
So last year, I had to choose between TechStars’ Demo Day and my son’s Daycare Christmas party. I’ve been supporting some of the Techstars startups with their PR so I really wanted to be there for their big day.
And my husband could do the Christmas party so it’s not as if my son was going to miss out. So the other way of looking at it is – I got to hear all from my son’s daycare Xmas party the day after I enjoyed celebrating the Techstars Founders I’ve worked closely with.
Parenting Stack: I’m pregnant with baby number 2 at the moment and going back to two of my favourite free apps, Wonder Weeks, so you can know when a leap is coming and how the baby might react.
Huckleberry to log in feed, and meds. Because sleep deprivation.
- A big thank you to Newsary’s Marie Dowling for helping make this happen while also being busy launching her new Minimum Viable Child, and is already back posting great LinkedIn content about parent-founder life.
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