In this special feature, EO Portland mothers and founders reflect on the ways motherhood has transformed how they lead, define success, take risks, and build community. Their stories are honest, thoughtful, and deeply personal, filled with lessons on resilience, boundaries, ambition, presence, and purpose.

EO Portland Board Member and CEO of Casework, Casey Keasler, sat down with Erin Huffard to discuss the realities of building a business while raising a family.

Success likely has a new meaning since becoming a mother. How do you define success in your life today?

I became a mom a couple of years before I took over the company. I knew my biggest priority was to be there for my son. I was less concerned about having the work/life balance to be a good mom, it was whether I could figure out how to be a successful leader when choosing family would always be innate. I have weathered a lot of storms with the company and love what I do. Would storms have been better if I had neglected my family and thrown myself 100% into work? I don’t know, but I have never once regretted saying yes to my family.

What legacy do you want to leave for your children?

I just want to make a positive impact on the people around me while being authentic and leading with love.

In what ways has motherhood strengthened your leadership skills?

I always felt like I was good at pivoting, but motherhood has taken this to a different level. There’s something about having a strong conviction in what to do next when plans need to change that makes people feel more comfortable about following your lead.

What advice would you give your younger self about balancing business growth with raising a family?

You shouldn’t be so disconnected from the business that you take an employee’s word for it when it doesn’t feel right. I guess that could be advice for any business person, but I think it can be so easy to get distracted when you are trying to balance so much as a mom.

What do your children teach you about leadership?

There’s nothing like having a mini-you hold a mirror up to what you look like at your best and worst. Staying grounded, repairing my mistakes when I don’t act appropriately. We can’t be our best selves all the time, but we can try and make amends when we don’t live up to our own standards.

What risk did motherhood give you the courage to take?

I always thought I was a courageous person, but I felt enormous levels of vulnerability when Arlo was born- having a piece of your heart out in the world, where anything can happen. I had to come to terms with the fact that courage isn’t the absence of vulnerability, it is doing hard and sometimes risky things with the full knowledge of your shortcomings and/or weaknesses.

How has motherhood expanded your vision for what’s possible?

To be honest, it has given me a perspective of how little I actually need. My business is incredibly important, but in an instant, all of that could go away. I’ve come close to facing that fear and at the end of the day, my family and my community is all I need.

How has your community supported you in entrepreneurship and motherhood?

Community is the only way I have survived both! It is so important to be seen and not feel alone. Having a space without judgement with people who know the unique challenges of carrying 2 roles as important as motherhood and entrepreneurship, is everything.

What role has EO Portland played during a challenging season of life or business?

I don’t know how I would have gotten through the last year without my Forum (shout out to Fight Club). There’s so much shame and self-blaming when business isn’t going the way you want it to. The perspective I gained from the people in EO was invaluable. There’s only so much you can control and sometimes you surprise yourself with what you can accomplish when you throw out what you thought was gospel and re-evaluate everything.

What would you tell another mother who wants to build something meaningful?

Do it! The most important thing is to build/find a community of ambitious people who share your values. Support and encouragement from those people will lift you up regardless of whether you’re in good times or not.

Who inspires you?

There are too many to name. I aspire to be the person that always takes time to truly listen to the people that I come across in life, whether that be in a big or small way. I find that when I get out of my own head about all the stuff “I’m dealing with” and really listen, there are lessons to be learned and inspirational stories all around me. It’s happened so many times, I know that the universe puts these people in my path for a reason. I just need to be ready to receive the gifts.