EO Members Share Reflections on Motherhood & Entrepreneurship
There’s a common misconception that entrepreneurial success requires choosing between building a meaningful business and being present for the people you love most. The women in this series know otherwise. In the EO Portland community, we celebrate growth, ambition, and achievement. But we also understand that entrepreneurship is deeply personal, shaped by the realities of family, identity, sacrifice, resilience, and love.
In this series, EO Portland members reflect on how motherhood has influenced the way they lead, define success, navigate challenges, and build family-rooted lives. Through honest stories and thoughtful reflection, they explore how motherhood transforms not only how we live, but how we lead.
Jenelle Isaacson Etzel, Founder of Living Room Realty:
“Becoming a mother made me the mother of invention. I needed to build a life where my children were not something I fit in around my work, but something my work was built around. I wanted the freedom to breastfeed, to keep them close, to follow their rhythm. I couldn’t think of an employer who would offer that, so I created it myself.”
Erin Huffard, President of Squires Electric
“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.”
Jodi Levy, owner of Destira
“I joined my mom in her company when I was 23 years old – so I was the daughter and SHE was the mother. Back then, success was all about growth – revenue, scale, hitting milestones. Today, my mom is retired and I co-lead Destira with my sister. Between the two of us, we have 6 kids, age 10 – 16. Success is about alignment. It’s about building a business I’m proud of while being present for my kids.”
Anna Madill, CEO of Avenue
“I didn’t realize how much space I actually had in my life to do the things I wanted to do until I had my son. And I realized I could still have that space if I prioritized properly. For me, motherhood hasn’t taken things away. It’s added new dimensions to my life while also reshaping how I think about joy, purpose and what really matters.”
Bonnie Richardson, Managing Partner at Allegiant Law
“In 2007, I had my third baby (daughter) while building the law firm. There is a different pressure and what is at stake when you are running a business and supporting your family. But it is also a great privilege to do so. When you think about supporting your family and can feel confident and proud of that, then it helps you to lean into the next step which is now supporting many other people (our employees) and their families.”
Talie Smith, CEO of smith & Connors
“Motherhood has pushed me to evolve and grow more than any other endeavor in my life. I love how it has created opportunities to stop the legacies of pain in my lineage and become the best version of myself. I can absolutely see how it has been a key experience to becoming a good leader.”
Arielle Weedman, Owner of Weedman Design Partners
“Motherhood has reinforced the importance of being present. Work-life balance is not just a nice idea; it is something you have to actively protect. There are moments when I need to let go of work and be fully present with my children, and moments when I need to be present with myself as an individual.”