Balancing Motherhood, Career and Entrepreneurship: Insights from Daniela Procopio

In a recent podcast episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Daniela Procopio, the Founder of SOLMA Tea, the first ready-to-drink lactation tea supplement. As a mother of three young children, including an infant, Daniela shared her inspiring journey of balancing motherhood, a full-time career, and her entrepreneurial endeavors.
Throughout the interview, we explored various topics such as the motivation behind SOLMA Tea, effective time management strategies, the importance of flexibility, and the value of setting boundaries that work for your family. If you’re a mom aspiring to be an entrepreneur, Daniela’s story and advice will undoubtedly resonate with you.
Interview Timestamp:
2:00 – How did you start your journey?
5:50 – How did you start your business with 3 kids [the behind-the-scenes production]
11:30 – What is one of the biggest struggles you’ve faced in building this business?
15:50 – How is your schedule with kids and running 2 businesses?
19:05 – A tip or feedback you’d give a mom wanting to start a business but afraid of how they will balance it all.
22:05 – Where can folks find you and SOLMA tea?
Creating Solma Tea
A Beverage Revolution: Daniela’s passion for creating a convenient and accessible beverage led her to establish Solma Tea. She recognized the need for a ready-to-drink lactation tea supplement that didn’t require additional steps such as heating water. It was something she was looking for after having her kids and wanting to make things as smooth as possible for other moms.
By founding Solma Tea, Daniela aimed to provide a hassle-free solution for breastfeeding moms seeking a nourishing and enjoyable drink. Her drive to innovate and meet the needs of her target audience was the catalyst for her entrepreneurial journey.
Time Blocking and Adapting to Motherhood and Work
One of the key challenges faced by working moms is managing their time effectively. Daniela emphasized the importance of time blocking, a technique that involves allocating specific time periods for different activities. As a mother, her working hours were not confined to a traditional schedule. Instead, she found balance by adapting her routine to her children’s needs.
For instance, if the middle of the day was dedicated to the kids, Daniela would allocate time in the evenings for work. By being flexible and open to adjusting her schedule, she was able to accommodate both her family and professional responsibilities.
This is something that is not often spoken about. A mom’s entrepreneurial schedule does not have to look like a typical 9 – 5pm. The important part here is to keep clear boundaries in the process (which can be an ongoing process).
The Power of Focus and Prioritization
Multitasking is often associated with motherhood, but Daniela highlighted the significance of focusing on one task at a time. While moms are naturally skilled at juggling multiple responsibilities, giving undivided attention to a single activity can lead to better results. By dedicating focused time to work or family, Daniela discovered that she could fully engage with the task at hand, enhancing productivity and personal fulfillment.
Also remember that priorities might shift with time, and that is also a part of the process. You have little ones and dividing up your attention where it’s needed given that season of life will be key.

Piece of advice
Daniela wrapped up our interview by sharing a piece of feedback to moms who want to get started but are afraid of how they will balance it all. She shares to simply get started! You will always give yourself a reason not to start, and you don’t want to stay behind wishing you would have done something sooner.
Additionally, she shares that once you are in the journey there are so many folks that do want to help. Lean on your support team and don’t try to do everything if you don’t have to.
You can find more information about SOLMA Tea here.
This here is their Instagram profile.