Cecilia Smith is a dynamic entrepreneur and founder of Let Mommy Sleep Charlotte, a franchise dedicated to helping new parents get the rest they deserve by providing expert overnight newborn care. Cecilia’s passion for empowering families comes from personal experience and a desire to help others build their “village.” Through Let Mommy Sleep Charlotte, she is not only supporting exhausted parents but also advocating for self-care and community for future generations. In this interview, Cecilia shares her journey, her insights into running a business, and her vision for the future.
The Inspiration Behind Let Mommy Sleep Charlotte
Alyson: Tell us a little bit about how Let Mommy Sleep Charlotte came to be. What inspired you to start your business?
Cecilia:
I was trying to find a night nurse for my best friend over the holidays and ended up speaking to the owner of the Let Mommy Sleep franchise. Hearing from my friends that the lack of sleep was the hardest part of having a new baby, I realized there was a need. Most of us do not live near family to lean on for help, so I decided I wanted to help those families create their village.
Alyson:
That’s amazing! It’s interesting how you identified a real need in such a personal way. So many mompreneurs start their journeys by solving problems close to their hearts, and that makes your mission even more powerful.
Career Transition: From Sales to Newborn Care
Alyson: Before starting Let Mommy Sleep Charlotte, what was your professional background?
Cecilia:
I was in sales in the infrastructure lighting design world.
Alyson:
Wow, that’s quite a transition! It’s fascinating how you’ve gone from a completely different industry into newborn care. I’m sure a lot of the skills from your sales background have carried over into your business now.
Services That Support New Parents
Alyson: Can you tell us more about the services Let Mommy Sleep provides?
Cecilia:
Our business is a team of night nurses and certified night nannies that provide overnight newborn care and education in family’s homes. We also provide Baby Basics Classes and Postpartum Check-up services as well.
Alyson:
It’s incredible that you’re providing both care and education. Families really need that extra support in the early days, and it sounds like you’re giving them the tools to thrive during such a vulnerable time.
Cecilia Smith is the founder of Let Mommy Sleep Charlotte.
Overcoming Challenges in a New Field
Alyson: What was the biggest challenge you faced when you started your business?
Cecilia:
The learning curve of the perinatal world. I grew up being a nanny to a handful of families with newborns, but so much has changed in the world of babies since then.
Alyson:
That’s so true. It’s amazing how quickly things evolve, even when you have a background in caregiving. Your ability to adapt must’ve been key in navigating those early challenges.
Balancing Business and Personal Life
Alyson: How do you manage being a businesswoman and a dog mom? What helps you stay balanced?
Cecilia:
As a dog mom and businesswoman, I lean on the village I do have to help when time requires me to be in 10 places at once. Having my husband and friends willing to step in and help when needed makes the feeling of being overwhelmed or alone dissipate.
Alyson:
It’s wonderful that you have that support system. Even as entrepreneurs, we need to lean on our villages. It’s a great reminder that we don’t have to carry everything on our own.
Cecilia Smith, owner of Let Mommy Sleep Charlotte.
Productivity Hacks for Mompreneurs
Alyson: Are there any productivity techniques or strategies that have been especially helpful for you?
Cecilia:
Time blocking is a strategy that I am learning currently and it really seems to help. Having one major focus each week also helps keep the feeling of being overwhelmed at bay.
Alyson:
Time blocking is a game changer! It really does help keep things manageable when there are so many tasks competing for your attention. I love the idea of focusing on one big goal each week.
Advice for Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs
Alyson: What advice would you give to other women considering starting their own business?
Cecilia:
Do it. And know the people in your life want to help, however that may be.
Alyson:
That’s such powerful advice! Sometimes we hesitate because we think we need to do it all alone, but it’s so important to recognize that help is out there, waiting for us to ask for it.
Evolving Goals and the Future of Let Mommy Sleep Charlotte
Alyson: How has your business evolved over time, and what are your short- and long-term goals?
Cecilia:
We’ve really leaned into the education piece of our business. We really encourage families to use our caregivers as a source of information, along with sleep. The courses and certifications that are required of each caregiver make them a wealth of knowledge and an expert walking into a family’s home.
Short term is changing the narrative that having overnight care requires so much planning and effort—our team allows us to provide care as little as 24 hours from request. My long-term goal is to be able to figure out how to get these services covered under insurance, as I feel this is so necessary and should be accessible to everyone.
Alyson:
I love that you’re focusing on education! It’s so much more than just providing care—you’re empowering parents with knowledge. And the idea of getting this service covered by insurance is incredible. That would truly make a huge impact for so many families.
Cecilia Smith is the owner of Let Mommy Sleep Charlotte.
The Rewards of Helping Families
Alyson: What’s the most rewarding part of your work?
Cecilia:
Knowing I am helping create the notion that moms, and dads, deserve to get sleep and need to prioritize self-care. Normalizing those concepts for generations to come will create positive changes and self-speak to new parents.
Alyson:
You’re so right! Prioritizing self-care can feel like a foreign concept for new parents, but it’s so crucial. It’s amazing that you’re helping to shift that narrative for the next generation.
Mindset Shifts: Success and Balance
Alyson: What’s been the most challenging mindset to overcome?
Cecilia:
The corporate-think that if I’m not doing a million things at once, then I’m not being successful.
Alyson:
I can completely relate to that! It’s a struggle so many of us face, feeling like we have to juggle everything all the time. But it’s such a relief when you realize that success doesn’t come from doing it all at once.
Key Lessons From Entrepreneurship
Alyson: Can you share one thing you’ve learned about yourself through this journey?
Cecilia:
I don’t have to do it all on my own.
Alyson:
That’s such an important realization. It can be hard to admit sometimes, but knowing when to ask for help can be a real game-changer.
The Importance of Community
Alyson: What role does community play in your business?
Cecilia:
It’s everything. It’s also why I started Let Mommy Sleep Charlotte—we don’t have to do it alone and we can’t forget how to ask for help. Your people are always ready to help.
Alyson:
That sense of community is so vital, especially in the work you’re doing. It’s heartwarming to see how your business not only provides care but also strengthens that support system for families.
The Power of Social Media
Alyson: How has social media helped your business?
Cecilia:
Instagram has been a huge connector for me! I have met so many amazing local people in this perinatal world that I have learned so much from.
Alyson:
Social media is such a powerful tool for building connections, isn’t it? It’s incredible how it can bring people together, especially in the entrepreneurial space. I’m glad it’s been such a positive resource for you.
Vision for the Future
Alyson: What’s your vision for the future of Let Mommy Sleep Charlotte?
Cecilia:
Growth that will allow us to give back to our community and hopefully secure aid from insurance companies.
Alyson:
That’s a fantastic goal! It’s inspiring to see how you’re not just thinking about growth in terms of business, but also how to give back and make your services more accessible to those who need them.
Legacy for the Next Generation
Alyson: What legacy do you hope to leave for the next generation of your family and your community?
Cecilia:
Being the oldest in my entire family, I hope my younger family members recognize that they can do anything, and when they start their families, they prioritize self-care and lean on their villages. I hope that the community knows that Let Mommy Sleep Charlotte is a sleep resource, but also a resource of referrals in the perinatal world that emphasize self-care.
Alyson:
That’s such a beautiful legacy. Encouraging future generations to prioritize their well-being and to rely on their communities is such a powerful message, especially for new parents who often feel like they need to do it all alone.
Let Mommy Sleep Charlotte – Overnight Infant Care and Resources
Final Thoughts: A Simple Yet Powerful Message
Alyson: Lastly, if you had to sum up the message of Let Mommy Sleep Charlotte in one sentence, what would it be?
Cecilia:
You are important and you deserve sleep.
Alyson:
That’s perfect! It’s such a simple yet profound message, and it really speaks to the heart of everything you do.
To learn more about Cecilia and the services offered by Let Mommy Sleep Charlotte, you can visit her website at Let Mommy Sleep Charlotte or follow her on Instagram @letmommysleep704. If you’re a new parent in need of support, or simply looking for resources in the perinatal world, Cecilia and her team are ready to help you get the rest you deserve.
