Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ruth Gordon-Martin, Founder and CEO of CODDLE, located in New Rochelle, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

CODDLE is a postpartum care company giving moms the products, resources, and education they need to navigate the most underrated and physically taxing experience 90% of women will have in their life — Postpartum Recovery. Our customers are expecting moms and friends and family of expecting moms.

Tell us about yourself

CODDLE started because of my birth experience. After the birth of my first child, I lost so much blood I experienced postpartum anemia and had an umbilical hernia. I wasn't prepared for how completely immobile a c-section makes you. Or how hard it was to walk and do basic things. Thankfully I had the support of my aunts, mom, and mother-in-law, who nurtured me with healing herbs during postpartum.

Months later, thinking about my experience, I looked around and recognized that this was not the norm for countless women, and so I set out to change that. The biggest motivation is the countless reviews I've received from moms or friends of moms who've bought our kit and are happy they did, along with returning customers who have used it and are buying it again for their friends.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I could talk about being featured in Vogue and all the press we've gotten. But for me, it's the impact that is happening in women's lives. The education and resources we're providing them help them to prepare for what is the most underrated experience they will ever have. Postpartum is minimalized and has been invisible, and moms are suffering for it. From vaginal odor to postpartum body, we are shining a light on everything moms can expect and celebrating the magic their bodies do every day. All of this, for me, is a big accomplishment.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

For me, it's managing my time. Between being a mom, wife, and business owner, I feel like I'm always behind. I need to dedicate time to each aspect, and I know I can't do it equally, so that's the struggle.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Start: if you have an idea and no matter what you do, it keeps coming back to you. That's your sign to get started. And it's much easier now to start. Think of the name, get it registered in your state, get the EIN number, buy the domain, get the IG handle, and go from there.
  2. Run: I'm a finance geek by profession, so I dive a lot into numbers and analytics. Don't forget to look at that - use the numbers to guide you into what works and what doesn't. Then rinse and repeat what seems to work.
  3. On growing a business: you'll need help. Make the decision to hire someone more skilled than you in the area you need to focus on. Whether part-time, full-time, or bartering. There are lots of freelancer sites around - Upwork and Fiverr. Whatever way you can get help!!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.coddle.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coddledotco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coddledotco/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/coddledotco
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-gordon-martin-655b9b5/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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