026: Building a Business Around Nap Time: What This Mom Learned After Quitting Her Job Postpartum | Saríce Holley

Manouchka:
Hi, Sarice — thank you for joining me on the show. I’m really happy to have you here. We first met through yourpodcast, which was such a great experience, and we stayed connected. I love that podcasting gives me the opportunity to connect with other mom entrepreneurs.
Sarice Holley:
Yes — thank you! I really loved having you as a guest on my podcast. You shared great tips. And thank you for inviting me onto yours — I’m really looking forward to this conversation.
Manouchka:
Amazing. For anyone who doesn’t know you yet, can you introduce yourself?
Sarice Holley:
Of course. I’m Sarice. I’m a mom to a sweet little almost three-year-old, and I’m also pregnant with my second. I’m a registered dietitian, and I specialize in mom health — whether that’s fertility before you become a mom, postpartum, or moms who are already “seasoned” and feel like they’ve been depleted for a few years and want to get back into balance and reclaim their health. That’s what I’m passionate about.
Manouchka:
I love that. So tell us — how did you choose nutrition as your path, and why moms specifically?
Sarice Holley:
I was one of those nerdy kids — you can ask my siblings and friends — I would always read the back of cereal boxes, ingredient lists… even now I love grocery stores and reading labels. I was also into sports and performance, and I knew food had a lot of power.
I didn’t even know what a dietitian was at first. But I remember one day, back when we were still reading newspapers, I was at my job and someone always took the sports section — and I always took the health section. I read an article and noticed it was written by a registered dietitian. I thought, “What is that?” So I researched it and realized: this is exactly what interests me.
So I studied nutrition science, became a registered dietitian, and I tried a lot of different areas. During my internship, I quickly realized I didn’t want to be the dietitian who sits in an office writing menus — huge respect to the women who do that, it just wasn’t for me.
Before I became a mom, my work was really dynamic: clinical studies on metabolic health, public health programs, different projects. I actually liked that instability — working on something for a few months, then moving to another project.
Then COVID happened, I got pregnant, and I had my baby. At the time, I had a part-time job as an employee (two to three days a week), and I was also doing contract work. After my baby, I told my employer I wasn’t coming back. I realized I was already living an unconventional lifestyle — and I didn’t need that part-time job as a security blanket. I talked to my husband and he was supportive, because it meant more time at home with our son. That’s when I decided: I’m going to start my own business.
Before motherhood, I worked mainly with metabolic health issues — diabetes, pre-diabetes, high cholesterol. But after I became a mom… things changed.
Manouchka:
Yeah.
Sarice Holley:
I started laughing at some of the things I used to tell mom clients — because I became the exact person I would coach.
Moms used to tell me they’d eat off their kids’ plates and wouldn’t even make their own meal, and I’d tell them, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Then in my first six months postpartum, I found myself doing that exact thing. I felt like such a hypocrite — because I knew better.
But experiencing it firsthand changed everything. I had to climb out of it slowly, in baby steps, and I created a simple system to help moms do the same — I’ll send you the link. It’s called Mom Wellness Simplified. That shift is why I focus on moms now: I remember how empty I felt, and I want other moms to get to the other side of that too — especially now that I’m preparing for baby #2 and I don’t want to repeat the same cycle.
Manouchka:
This is so good — and also, thank you for reassuring me I’m not the only one who finishes my kid’s leftovers (I literally did that right before this call). I love that you’re touching on self-care in a way we don’t always think about. When I think “self-care,” I think exercise and mental health… but nutrition is such a big piece of how we feel and how much energy we have.
Sarice Holley:
Exactly. It’s a holistic system — and some people find that overwhelming, but it’s true. You can’t eat poorly and then say, “But I do Pilates three times a week.” Or if you’re not sleeping (which is common for moms), it’s harder to make wise food decisions. You’re tired, you grab whatever. Then you don’t feel like exercising. Everything affects everything.
The key is: you don’t have to do all the things at the same time. Baby steps.
Manouchka:
I was listening to a podcast episode with Dr. Mark Hyman about sleep, and they talked about how when you lack sleep, you crave more carbs and sugar. That feels so true for moms.
Sarice Holley:
It is true. And yes — it’s easier said than done, because you can’t always control your baby’s sleep. But you can control what’s accessible in your home. If you know you’ll reach for cookies at 3 a.m., don’t keep them in the house. Make your environment support your goals. Focus on what you can control.
Manouchka:
So what should we avoid for sleep, and what’s actually helpful?
Sarice Holley:
For sleep specifically: avoid caffeine close to bedtime — ideally 6–8 hours before. Some people can drink coffee an hour before bed and still fall asleep, but it still impacts sleep quality and your circadian rhythm.
Also avoid very sugary foods right before bed. If you want a snack, aim for something with protein + fat, and if you include carbs, choose whole grains or something that digests more slowly (so you don’t spike insulin). For example: whole grain toast with avocado, or fruit with full-fat yogurt. Not chips or “empty” carbs.
Manouchka:
So… basically, all the white foods.
Sarice Holley:
(Laughs) Exactly.
Manouchka:
Let’s shift back to entrepreneurship. You started your business after you already had your son. What did you learn — what helped?
Sarice Holley:
One of the first things I learned was: don’t listen to most men’s advice. I was up late Googling marketing and business tips, and I kept finding the same loud voices — the Gary Vee-style advice. It sounds motivating, but it wasn’t realistic for my life. These people don’t have newborns. Or they have a nanny, a house manager, a whole team.
So I started paying attention to mompreneurs instead — the ones building with real constraints. That’s part of why I started my podcast too.
Other big lessons: don’t compare yourself. It sounds cliché, but it’s true. You don’t know how much help someone has. Some have VAs, staff, family support. So you can’t compare your pace.
Do what you can. Work is work. It’s still progress — even if it’s slower. Eventually, you can hire help and move faster.
And also: it’s okay to pivot. I used to think, “This is what I’ve done for years, I have to stick with it.” But I realized I’m more passionate about fertility, postpartum, and motherhood. We change. Life changes. Go with what speaks to you.
Manouchka:
I completely agree. And honestly, we’re lucky — there are so many tools now that make building a business easier than it used to be.
But the pace thing is real. You can have the vision… but you don’t have endless hours. Your day is fragmented. And you also need to be a human — not just a worker or a mom. There’s a whole period where we’re rediscovering who we are.
When we spoke the first time, I was still running my marketing agency — and I was in that mental shift of “How do I recreate myself and rebuild my business around this new version of me?” That’s part of why I started the podcast: I wanted to understand what other mom entrepreneurs have lived through — and through those conversations, I realized this is what I want to do now: work with mom entrepreneurs, support them, be their cheerleader and sparring partner.
Motherhood changes everything — not just who you are, but what you want. And as entrepreneurs, we also get to reinvent our world.
Sarice Holley:
Yes. And there’s a term for that: matrescence — the transition into motherhood. Your brain changes physiologically during pregnancy and postpartum. So you really do become a different person. Some people grieve that. But it can also be an opportunity to recreate yourself. And it takes time — you don’t figure it out in three months postpartum.
Manouchka:
Totally. And now you’re about a month away — how are you preparing for maternity leave? How long are you planning to take?
Sarice Holley:
This is actually where AI helped me. I watched your AI workshop and it was really cool — and I used AI to plan my maternity leave. I wrote a prompt like: “I’ll realistically have X hours per week available — maybe 10 hours, maybe less — help me build a schedule that maintains my business.”
My mom will be here for about a month, and my husband is really supportive. I don’t plan to work right after birth — I want at least 2–3 months off. I’ve told the people I work with that I’ll be on maternity leave.
But I do want to keep the things I enjoy — like podcasting — so I’m batching episodes, preparing content, doing things like thumbnails and simple tasks that feel doable. I also stopped accepting new 1:1 clients a few months ago.
And I want to keep growing my mailing list during that time with free offers. So I’m setting up what I can now so I don’t feel pressured later.
Manouchka:
That’s such a smart approach. And I love what you said: having something that’s for you during maternity leave. Not everything has to be “for the baby.” Even rest can feel like it’s “for the baby.” So having something that still feels like you is powerful.
Sarice Holley:
Exactly.
Manouchka:
Okay — switching gears. As a dietitian, what do you do to support your own nutrition now that you’re pregnant?
Sarice Holley:
There’s a lot I did before pregnancy too. I actually created a protocol for me and my husband for the three months before trying to conceive, because people underestimate sperm health. A lot of times women think it’s all on them.
For those three months, I increased exercise and strength training because I wanted enough muscle mass going into pregnancy. I increased protein. I focused on supplements like DHA (omega-3), made sure my iron was good (I tend toward anemia), and focused on balanced meals: healthy fats, protein, complex carbs.
I wish I could say I maintained that perfectly through pregnancy — but the first 20 weeks were rough. I could barely eat, and I actually lost weight. After that, I compensated and made sure I was taking prenatal vitamins, DHA, and choline (which is getting more attention now for baby’s brain and nervous system development).
It’s hard to tell a pregnant woman to eat enough protein when she’s throwing up. So I tell people: do what you can. The baby will take what they need — and then you rebuild yourself afterward.
Manouchka:
That reminds me — I craved chocolate like crazy in my first trimester. It was Easter season and chocolate was everywhere. I ate so much — and somehow didn’t even gain weight. Pregnancy is wild.
Sarice Holley:
It is. You’ll be disgusted by things you normally love, and crave things you never cared about. I love coffee — but in both pregnancies I can’t stand it. The smell is awful. And then, two days after my first was born, I loved the smell of espresso again. I’m looking forward to that moment.
Manouchka:
I was told not to have caffeine during pregnancy.
Sarice Holley:
That’s a common misconception. Unless you have a medical sensitivity, you can have about one cup of coffee a day. Some guidelines say two, but I usually recommend one — and be mindful of other sources of caffeine so you don’t go over.
Manouchka:
Interesting. And what about “birth prep” foods — like dates, raspberry leaf tea?
Sarice Holley:
Yes — raspberry leaf tea and also nettle tea are commonly used from around 36 weeks (some say 34). The idea is that it may support uterine tone. There isn’t a lot of scientific research, but there’s a lot of anecdotal tradition. If it’s safe and not harmful, I’m fine with people trying it.
Dates are another one — often around four per day, unless you need adjustments for blood sugar concerns.
Manouchka:
That was my logic too: it won’t hurt, and maybe it helps. At the birthing home, they also gave me teas after birth — I don’t remember exactly what they were, but it was meant to support recovery.
Sarice Holley:
Yes — raspberry leaf tea is also used postpartum sometimes. And some essential oils can be supportive too. I met with a doula recently and she mentioned clary sage for supporting contractions and citrus oil during active labor to help when things get intense. You can diffuse it or put a small amount on a robe and smell it.
Manouchka:
Love that. Okay — back to your maternity leave transition: do you see yourself going back gradually, or going from zero to 100?
Sarice Holley:
Gradually. I want to get used to life with two kids first, and then see what I can implement week by week. I’m trying not to be rigid. If I need less time, I’ll take less. If I need more, I’ll take more. No pressure.
Manouchka:
That’s the benefit of entrepreneurship — you get to set the pace. There are plenty of constraints, so you might as well enjoy the flexibility too.
Sarice Holley:
Yes — and financially, if you can plan ahead and set aside funds for maternity leave, even a little each week, it gives you peace of mind so you don’t rush back before you’re ready.
Manouchka:
Completely. Okay — with all this chaos postpartum, what do you recommend to protect your nutrition and stay proactive?
Sarice Holley:
Meal prep and freezer prep. I cook most of my meals and I love cooking — but postpartum, I didn’t realize how little I would feel like cooking. My son was a Velcro baby — I couldn’t put him down. Meal-making was hard.
So this time, I’m preparing freezer meals and quick snacks: casseroles, energy bites, grab-and-go options. Stock your pantry with meals you can make quickly that are still relatively wholesome — even if they’re not your ideal “from scratch” meal. For example, I have a miso ramen I like — I add tofu and spring onions. It’s quick, satisfying, and supports gut health.
Basically: make it easy for yourself to eat well.
Manouchka:
That’s so real. I had this vision of making everything from scratch and teaching my son to cook… and then you realize when a kid is hungry, there’s no time. You have a screaming, angry toddler.
We found our “in-between” by relying on convenient protein-rich foods. He actually loves sardines from a can — it’s a staple in our house now. We also use cod liver sometimes, and tuna occasionally (less because of mercury).
Sarice Holley:
That’s great nutrition-wise. And I totally relate — I used to judge moms before I had kids. Someone once told me, “I was the best mom before I had kids.” And now I get it.
It’s about balance. My son eats vegetables and real food… but he also eats snacks. And sometimes I forget a snack and buy something convenient nearby. You do your best. And if your child is fed, you’re already winning.
Manouchka:
Thank you — truly.
And it ties back to what you said earlier about realistic examples. The same way business advice can be unrealistic, the same goes for wellness content. I hate when people say, “We all have the same 24 hours.”
Sarice Holley:
Yes — I cringe. I saw a mom influencer say she wakes up at 4 a.m. to work out in her first trimester, with five kids, pregnant with her sixth, and that they raise their kids “military style.” I’m like… either she’s an extreme outlier, or something is off. I don’t like when women set unrealistic expectations and make normal moms feel bad.
Manouchka:
Exactly. And in business too — you see mompreneurs posting revenue numbers and “look at what I’m accomplishing,” and you don’t see the team behind the scenes. People judge themselves against standards that are artificial.
Sarice Holley:
I learned that the hard way. I joined a coaching program because I believed what a mompreneur was selling — and then later we found out she had a house manager, a VA, all this support none of us had. And when people in the group said, “This feels unrealistic,” the response was basically, “You have to find the time.” But some of us simply don’t have that kind of support.
Manouchka:
Yes — and I also heard someone say they chose to have someone else take care of their child so they could run their business because “that’s where they excel.” And I thought: not everyone wants daycare at three months old, and also… why am I having a child then?
Everyone makes different choices, but you still want harmony — a way that supports your values, your child, and your business. It’s not easy. It’s always a work in progress, but it’s worth it.
Sarice Holley:
I agree. Some women want daycare early — but I had someone tell me, “Why don’t you put him in daycare already?” when my son was only six months old. And I thought: already? I just had him.
Motherhood is exhausting, but it’s also fulfilling. And I love the word “harmony.” Balance isn’t perfect. But harmony is possible — with ebbs and flows.
Manouchka:
Totally. For me, even six months felt early. We didn’t have daycare or outside help until my son was one — and I’m grateful we were able to do that. It was our choice, and entrepreneurship made it possible.
Sarice Holley:
Same. My employer checked in at three months, then six months, and eventually I knew: I want to be a mom first. I want to build a business around this season of life. And yes, with baby #2 it’ll be rocky again — I’ll pivot again — but that’s the freedom.
Manouchka:
I love that. Okay — one last question, a bit more personal: what do you hope your boys will say about you one day?
Sarice Holley:
I saw something that really resonated with me. It said: “I don’t want my children to say my mom was strong.” And that hit me — because I don’t want my kids to only remember struggle.
I want them to say I was happy. That we had fun. That I enjoyed them. And I also hope they’re proud of me — that I was a savvy businesswoman. But most of all, I want them to have happy memories of me, and to remember that they made me happy too.
Manouchka:
That’s beautiful. Thank you for sharing that.
Before we wrap — you mentioned a free program people can join?
Sarice Holley:
Yes — it’s called Mom Wellness Simplified. It’s for moms who want support getting their wellness together, but in a realistic way — nothing overwhelming.
You’ll get a weekly email for 12 weeks, with one simple habit or tip to implement each week. By the end, you’ll have a system you can keep using: nutrition, movement, and simple routines. Because as moms, wellness can’t be complicated right now — it has to be simple.
Manouchka:
Perfect — we’ll include that in the show notes. Sarice, thank you so much for being here. And congratulations again on your pregnancy — enjoy this season.
Sarice Holley:
Thank you so much, Manouchka. This was so much fun.