Hi Friends! 

Today, we’re going to talk about someone who many working parents feel endless love and gratitude to. 

She has been called the Beyonce for toddlers and she served as a lifeline for many quarantine parents. Yes, we’re talking about Ms Rachel.  

Rachel Griffin Accurso, aka "Ms Rachel," is the pink headband-festooned savior that took residence on many televisions during the pandemic. When the time came to fling off the masks and feel the sun on our faces again, Ms Rachel was a certified star. 

Today, she is one of the most recognizable figures in children's educational entertainment. However (at least at time of publishing) it’s unlikely that you’ll see her face plastered on sugary cereal boxes or her overalled likeness plastic-ified in your Happy Meals. 

In a fast-paced world that is always clamoring for “More! More! More!” (ironically, also a common refrain in any household containing a toddler) Ms Rachel took care to create a business that is thoughtful, inclusive, and based in kindness towards everyone. 

When something you’ve prepared for doesn’t go as planned, what happens to your entire belief system?

That’s a question BirthSmarter founder, Ashley Brichter, had to grapple with after the birth of her first child— when all of her careful preparation and planning went out the window. 

Instead of reevaluating her beliefs and core values, Brichter leaned into them and kept them at the core of her business.

Building a business with integrity requires a steadfast commitment to core values. Even so, many companies lose track of their values while chasing revenue, growth, or the hundreds of other distractions that come with running and growing a business. 

BirthSmarter prioritizes inclusivity, education, and empowerment in the birth and parenting space. 

BirthSmarter isn’t just a business— it’s a movement designed to reshape the way families prepare for childbirth and parenting. Their core values are the lifeblood of their entire mission, and the explanation behind their success. 

“Going back to the workplace is easy,” said no parent, ever. But, imagine a world where the return to work was not fraught with stress, confusion, and complete overwhelm.

That was Vanessa Jupe’s dream when she founded Leva— and this dream only grows stronger. 

Leva means “to lift,” which is so appropriate when exploring a return to work. Once a child arrives, there’s a perception that the “tough work” is mostly finished. For the parents hysterically laughing at the last sentence, take a moment to laugh it out.