This Charlottesville mom is a UVA grad who became a certified sleep consultant after her first daughter was born. Her business, Sleep and Wellness Coach, LLC, offers VIRTUAL and in-home sleep solutions for newborns to age 6!
How many children do you have and what are their age(s)?
I have two daughters. Addison is 6 years old and Ainsley is 4.5 years old (the .5 is very important when you’re in preschool!).
How long have you lived in Charlottesville? What made you decide to live here?
I’m a UVA grad so I spent four fantastic years in Charlottesville and then moved to Chicago. Seven Chicago winters did me in and I convinced my husband to move to Charlottesville in 2011.
What’s your favorite family activity (in Charlottesville)?
There are so many! My girls LOVE the Charlottesville City Market – tacos and donuts, what’s not to love?! Fridays After Five is another favorite. My four year old really loves family dates at the Alamo theatre.
Where’s your favorite place to eat and/or shop in Charlottesville?
My current favorites are Oakhart Social, Lampo, and Tavola. Go-to spots with the kids are Riverside, Zinburger, and Shadwells. Two of my favorite local shops are the Green Bean Baby Boutique (Kickee Pants PJs are the best!) and Shenanigans Toy Store.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I was the placekicker on the boys football team in high school.
Please share your business and why you decided to start it:
I’m a certified pediatric sleep consultant. My business is Sleep and Wellness Coach, LLC. I became obsessed with sleep because my oldest daughter was not naturally inclined to sleep well. I read the books and got endless amounts of advice from friends and family, but nothing was working. I eventually hit a really low point in my life. I truly started to understand why sleep deprivation is a form of torture. Right around that time I noticed a friend of mine posting on a sleep consultant’s Facebook page. I desperately tried to find a consultant in Charlottesville, but couldn’t so I went with the one my friend knew. It was life changing for my family. After my family was finally sleeping well, I geeked out on reading sleep studies on infant and child sleep, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that many moms need far more education/advice on sleep than most are receiving. Not all babies follow the books. Being able to help moms avoid sleep struggles and helping moms find their way out of a sleep a deprived fog truly brings me joy!
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
Charlottesville is such a great family oriented community. Referrals from other moms has been the biggest driver of my business. Local pediatricians, therapists, and dentists have also pointed moms in my direction. I love how collaborative Charlottesville businesses and organizations are with one another and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know others who provided services and resources to moms and children. I am so impressed and in awe of all of the resources available to moms in our community. I love that your site will be helping moms find these resources!
What is one piece of advice you wish someone told you about being a mother?
Being Type A does not make becoming a mother any easier. Ask for help. 🙂
Anything else you want to share?
I love when moms are champions and supporters of other moms. It takes a village. Let’s continue to check in on our friends who are new moms, be there for each other for the highs and the lows, and cheer each other on through this awesome, hilarious, and sometimes hard motherhood journey!