Finding Support in the Postpartum Experience with Kristen Smith

If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/support In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Kristin Smith about the power of hard-won resilience, career pivots, and building a family-focused business from personal struggle. Kristin, based in Western Massachusetts, shares her journey from becoming a mother at age 19 in New York City to founding a nationwide postpartum care company. Listeners will take away insights on early motherhood, overcoming isolation, and the steps to turning life’s hardest moments into entrepreneurial fuel. About Kristin Smith: Kristin Smith is the founder of Well Supported Family, a newborn care and postpartum support agency with a national presence that connects families with experienced caregivers during the early stages of parenthood. She began her career as a professional nanny, and in 2008, she was named Nanny of the Year by Family Helpers, and the following year she was selected as a finalist for ABC’s America’s Supernanny. Main Topics Covered: The profound impact of becoming a mother at a young age, and how it changed Kristin’s life trajectory Experiences of postpartum isolation—even in the middle of a big city and while working in childcare The practical and emotional micro-decisions involved in leaving an unsupportive relationship and starting over Turning personal challenges in early motherhood into a meaningful, sustainable career as a doula and eventually entrepreneur Building and scaling a postpartum support business (now Well Supported Family) from solo practice to a national team serving diverse families The logistics and realities of growing a service business as a single mother, with the help of family and later, a supportive partner Embracing bold choices, learning from mistakes, and cultivating confidence as a self-taught business owner Encouragement that it’s possible to find joy and purpose in work, and that past choices don’t define one’s future potential Quote from the Episode: "I just always had the mentality of go big or go home... I have to have the ability to kind of sit back within my own company and hand off all the tasks that I don't want to do so I can enjoy life. Because I've worked so hard and so long and put so many blood, sweat, and tears into this that I gotta make this bigger than it is." — Kristin Smith Timestamps: [00:00:19] Kristin’s introduction and life in Western Massachusetts [00:01:38] Identifying as a Millennial and early life plans [00:02:35] Nearly joining the military and pivoting to nanny work in NYC [00:05:27] Experience of moving alone to New York and early motherhood [00:08:01] Raising a newborn with minimal support and returning home [00:09:34] Mindset and decision-making when isolated postpartum [00:12:03] Reflection on giving her partner a “fair shot” for her daughter’s sake [00:15:12] In-depth exploration of postpartum isolation—even with a childcare background [00:18:13] Career pivots: training as an EMT, postpartum doula, home birth midwife, and starting solo practice [00:22:09] The realities of balancing overnight client work and single motherhood [00:24:58] Growing a solo practice into a team and national agency (Nightingale Night Nurses/Well Supported Family) [00:28:33] First steps in hiring, business learning curve, and problem-solving through mistakes [00:34:21] Kristin’s motivations for building a larger business and desire to help more families [00:36:34] Kristin’s advice—on redefining yourself after setbacks, and building a joyful career [00:38:23] About Well Supported Family: services, who they serve, and how to connect [00:40:50] Kristin’s current TV recommendation and favorite purchase for new parents ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges. These are conversations with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations. CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: https://wellsupportedfamily.com/ Never Miss a Moment of Imperfect Adulting We invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes. Why subscribe? 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