I’ve had a lot of incredible guests on This Mother Means Business, but this week’s episode hit different. I sat down with Shulamit Ber Levtov—also known as The Entrepreneur’s Therapist—and it felt like she cracked open a door we’ve all been afraid to walk through.

And by “we,” I mean every woman who’s ever built a business with a baby on her hip and a lump in her throat, wondering why this feels so damn hard.

Let’s just say this episode is the conversation I wish I had years ago—and one I know so many of you need to hear now.

The Emotional Roller Coaster of Entrepreneurship

Here’s what no one tells you when you start a business: the emotional highs and lows aren’t a bug in the system—they’re part of the deal.

One of the biggest gifts Shula gave me (and now I’m passing to you) is the reminder that mental health challenges in entrepreneurship are normal. In fact, they’re expected.

“Being a human entrepreneur means you will face mental and emotional challenges. It’s not if—it’s when.” – Shulamit Ber Levtov

When you hit a wall, have a full-blown cry in the middle of your workday, or feel like you just can’t anymore—it doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you're feeling. And you're allowed to.

When You’re the Mom, the Boss, the Everything

I work with a lot of moms. I am a mom. So I know how easy it is to feel like you're supposed to be superhuman—running the business, raising the babies, holding the emotional weight of your entire household... and somehow still showing up on social media like you’ve got it all together.

Shula and I talked about the shame that can come from just… being human. Feeling overwhelmed. Feeling like you’re not enough. (Been there. Many times.)

But here’s something she said that I haven’t stopped thinking about:

“We live in a culture that has rules about what it means to be a good woman, a good mom, a good entrepreneur—and they often contradict each other. There’s no winning that game.”

Whew. If you’ve ever felt like no matter what you choose, it’s the wrong choice—this is why.

“I Can’t” Isn’t the End—It’s a Signal

One of the most powerful moments in our conversation was around that little phrase so many of us repeat to ourselves:

“I can’t.”

I can’t rest.
I can’t take a step back.
I can’t raise my prices.
I can’t ask for help.

But what if “I can’t” isn’t a failure—it’s information?

Shula broke down how overwhelm can shut down our nervous system in ways that literally block our ability to think creatively or take action. Sometimes “I can’t” just means: something needs to happen first. And that something might be rest. Or support. Or getting honest about what’s really going on underneath the surface.

This Work Is Hard—and That Doesn’t Mean There’s Something Wrong With You

So often, I hear from women who feel like they’re the only ones crying on coaching calls (spoiler: you’re not), the only ones struggling to “do it all” (you’re definitely not), or the only ones who feel deeply, deeply alone in all of this.

I’ve been there too. And that’s why I keep having these conversations.

Shula said something at the end of our chat that I hope you carry with you today:

“The reason I talk about how hard it is—is so you know there’s nothing wrong with you. These struggles are normal. The work we’re doing is hard. And just because it’s hard doesn’t mean you’re broken.”

Read that again. And again. And maybe write it on a sticky note for the days that feel extra heavy.

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

If any part of this resonated, here’s what I want you to know: you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. That’s why I created This Mother Means Business. That’s why I invest in support for myself. And that’s why I bring on guests like Shula—to make sure you’re not out here believing the lie that you’re the only one struggling.

You’re not.

And there’s nothing wrong with you.

You’re doing big things. Brave things. And I’m so glad we get to do this work—together.