Three Washington University alumnae have founded businesses within the childcare sector, covering areas of childcare, motherhood, and pregnancy that are usually ignored. Utilizing their professional skills and personal experiences, they are leading the way in developing practical solutions to common issues faced by mothers.
Chelsea Hirschhorn is one such alumna. She founded Frida, a company offering products for fertility, baby care, and postnatal care. After struggling to comfort her sick child with the substandard tools given by the hospital, she realized a market for improved baby care products. Today, Frida’s product range has extended to include postnatal and fertility products and is well-recognized within the baby care industry.
Other alumnae have also made notable contributions to the childcare space. Sara Reardon practices helping women manage pelvic floor disorders resulting from pregnancy and childbirth, while Anita Rajendra provides subscription-based maternity attire and patented nursing scarves. Similarly, Lindsay Gordon offers tutoring services for children with special needs.
Alumnae tackle underrepresented challenges in motherhood
Meanwhile, Laura Gomez created a platform connecting families and babysitters.
These innovative women all share two key ties: their education from Washington University and their personal experience as mothers. Their academic and personal journeys have driven their leadership styles, business decisions, and, ultimately, the success of their endeavors.
Anita Rajendra, for instance, was prompted to leave her job at Coca-Cola and start her own business after a pregnant coworker complained about the cost of maternity clothes. She established a thrift shop for maternity wear, providing affordable, high-quality clothing for expecting mothers. This venture promotes sustainability through clothing recycling while lifting prospective mothers’ financial burden.
Anne Geddes, another alumna, revolutionized the baby product industry by inventing a compactable baby stroller. Maternal health advocate Maggie Lucas developed a BabyCare app to improve prenatal care, especially for mothers in low-resource settings. Concurrently, psychiatrist and mother Jenny Brooks recognized a need for better mental health support for new mothers, leading her to create the New Mom Support Network.
In essence, the personal experiences and academic backgrounds of these three alumnae inspired them to develop entrepreneurial ventures that improve lives, especially those of women navigating the rollercoaster of motherhood.
