Would you put beets in your pasta sauce? Kendra Matthews did, and her kids loved it so much she bottled it up in jars and started selling it to grocery stores around the county. Kendra incorporates vegetables into all of her kids' meals, from blending nutritious veggies into smoothies, to stealthily adding them to favorite dishes, her sneaky tips will ensure your little ones get the nutrients they need while enjoying delicious meals. Embrace the magic of Hidden Foods and watch your kids devour their greens with delight. We speak with her on this episode of NAPP about how to grow your little ones’ palates, the Italian secret behind her insanely delicious pasta sauce, and how a family meal tradition turned into a thriving business.

Tommy and Daneyel Walker are serial entrepreneurs and as a couple, have created a safe space to build opportunities, collaboration, and community in southeast San Diego. With origins in LA and New York, they have found and created an incredible community in San Diego with their shop, The Mental Bar and as hosts of the Lyfe n' Shyt podcast.  

On this episode of Not a Parenting Podcast, we sit down with Tommy and Daneyel to discuss how entrepreneurship felt like a foreign language when they first started, how they have grown their portfolio of businesses, and what it's like having a blended family. 

What makes San Diego such a special place to raise kids for you?

As entrepreneurs in various industries, we believe that San Diego is an exceptional place to raise kids. The city offers a perfect blend of urban amenities and natural beauty, which is ideal for families. There are numerous attractions, such as theme parks, museums, and parks, where children can explore and learn. Additionally, the city's fantastic weather and scenic beaches make it an excellent place for outdoor activities with the family.

What are the greatest joys and challenges of balancing family and a career?

Balancing family and a career is always a challenge, but we've learned to manage our time effectively as entrepreneurs. It's crucial to have open communication with our team members and clients to ensure that everyone's needs are met. We make sure to prioritize family time and schedule our work around it rather than the other way around. The greatest joy of balancing family and a career is being able to provide for our family while also being present for them.

What part of your job makes you feel the most fulfilled or alive?

The most fulfilling part of our job is knowing that we are making a positive impact in the lives of others. In our coffee business, we provide our customers with an exceptional experience that they will remember. In our trucking and transportation business, we ensure that goods are delivered safely and efficiently to their destinations. As investors in real estate, we have the opportunity to create value for ourselves and our community. In our podcast and media ventures, we aim to educate and inspire others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

Anything else you would love for our audience to know about you?

We want our audience to know that being entrepreneurs in multiple industries requires dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's not always easy, but it's incredibly fulfilling. We're excited about the future of our businesses and the impact we can make in our industries and beyond. We hope to inspire others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and create a positive impact in the world.

Stephanie Issa and Christine Forsyth are the owners of Lullabar in Carlsbad. Both are moms who were inspired to start Lullabar after struggling to find the resources and support they needed when they became parents.

Their concept is a wellness cafe where mothers and caregivers will be able to receive self-care services while the little ones are safely entertained in the play gym. The space allows for parents to enjoy coffee, get a manicure, take a parenting workshop or shop.

On this episode of Not a Parenting Podcast, Stephanie and Christine discuss tips and advice for new parents and share their entrepreneurial journey as friends and moms and believe that every parent deserves a place to feel welcome, supported, and informed. Listen to their episode now and check out their Q&A below:

The outdoor lifestyle is really great for young children. I love the sun and it reminds me of my own childhood in Brazil where I spent most of my younger years outside playing in the sand on the beach. I love not having my plans change because of the weather!

The greatest joy of balancing family and a career is being a role model for my son. I want him to grow up watching me enjoy my work and feel excited about creating something beautiful. I want him to see me work and love what I do. The biggest challenge is trying to plan to expand your family while knowing the work ahead of you will be exhausting and very involved, and the guilt that will eventually come with splitting time.

When I talk to mothers who follow us online and learn how excited and relieved they are to have such a space open. It’s the excitement that keeps me going, especially on days that I’m feeling insecure or overwhelmed. They honestly keep me going and I feel a great sense of purpose in what we’re building. We have more than 1,200 women on our waiting list so far.

That I love going to therapy about daily motherhood dilemmas. I think everyone should be in therapy if they are able to, especially new mothers.