03 | Emma Ferrick, Operations & Systems Strategist
MEET EXPECTING CEO EMMA FERRICK, OPERATIONS & SYSTEMS STRATEGIST
We often talk about the unique challenges entrepreneurs face when navigating pregnancy and parenthood for the first time. There are often concerns regarding health insurance, maternity leave, and future childcare. So, how can we go about planning for that… especially if this is our first rodeo as Expecting CEOs?
Today’s Expecting CEO, Emma Ferrick, is on her journey to becoming a mother of two, and lucky for us she’s navigated pregnancy and planning for post-partum both as an employee AND as a business owner herself.
Emma Ferrick is an Operations & Systems strategist for small business owners who are ready to leave survival mode and grow their business through SIMPLE strategy. In our Expecting CEO chat we’re discussing maternity leave in corporate vs. as an entrepreneur, navigating health insurance, and expecting the unexpected.
WHERE IS SHE IN HER EXPECTING JOURNEY AT THE TIME OF RECORDING?
2nd trimester + a lovely 3-year-old
In business for 2+ years
A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALLGAME
Pregnancy isn’t a wholly new experience for Emma. As we discussed the differences between her first pregnancy and her current it wasn’t only the physical experience that stood out to her… it was how drastically the circumstances of her life since then have changed.
Currently, she’s in a healthy relationship, has one child earthside already, and feels a sense of stability. But there are definitely complexities as a full-time entrepreneur with a partner that’s currently transitioning to entrepreneurship as well! One complexity? Figuring out what maternity leave will look like this go-around!
Emma laughed saying, “There's no set maternity leave. I'm calling the shots. There's no rules, which can be scary, but also very exciting at the same time.”
DECISION FATIGUE IS THE SILENT KILLER
As a second-time-momma, Emma reflected on how many little decisions she had to make with her now 3-year-old. Wipe warmer or no? The grass drying rack or standing up? Silicone teething toys or wooden? The decisions were endless.
With her second kiddo on the way, Emma is relieved that they’ve got most of the ‘stuff’ down pat. Precious time and energy don’t have to be wasted preparing in that way, which gives her and her partner more time to figure out more complex things… like health insurance as entrepreneurs.
INSURANCE & CASHFLOW … THE MOST ADULT TOPICS EVER
I’ve never met an adult who lights up with giddy anticipation when they think about figuring out the health insurance (are they elusive… like a groundhog seeing their shadow?). Despite my internal groan of despair to breach this topic, Expecting CEOs need to consider health insurance coverage for obvious reasons. Some of us will find coverage under our partner’s plans, but what happens when your partner is also their own boss???
While figuring out their insurance route, Emma and her partner have gone back and forth on the pros and cons of multiple scenarios. Depending on her husband’s transition into full-time entrepreneurship there may be some coverage that is applicable through her post-partum phase. If not, they’ve been looking into the differences between marketplace vs. private plans.
Regardless of the direction they go on the insurance front, the whole debate has made them very cognizant of their cash flow. She shared, “...[cashflow is] a big thing that's coming up for us. Like how do I appropriately take time off in my business without having a huge dip in cash flow right now?” She recommends looking at your revenue generators and identifying how to secure continued income throughout your maternity leave.
PREPARING FOR MATERNITY LEAVE
This was the big question that I was curious to get Emma’s take on! As a momma who’s experienced post-partum and maternity leave before… what is the plan? Her response surprised me in its flexibility. She shared, “My goal is to at least take one full month off and then start easing back in because of how accessible my job is, because I don't have to go to the office. I can just open up my laptop and work while the baby's napping.”
When I asked exactly when that maternity leave would begin, she hit me with a reality of pregnancy that I forgot about… the due date is really just a window where you can go weeks under or over. Having dealt with that already, Emma opted to prep her business in a few ways so she’ll be ready to duck out whenever the little one chooses to make their appearance. Her prep work included things like hiring someone for lead generation, finishing a few funnels, and even prepping her husband to trigger that OOO email for clients as soon as labor kicks in.
GRATITUDE AT THIS STAGE
As she navigates her second trimester, Emma has found that despite the challenges of navigating pregnancy as an entrepreneur… she’s so grateful for the professional flexibility. She shared how comfortable she felt telling her clients (before some family members even!) that she was expecting so they would understand communication delays and other small changes. “[I’m grateful to be] working with great women who maybe have experienced it or understand. It gives me the flexibility to be a mom and take the time I need for myself.”
FEATURED EXPECTING CEO AFFIRMATION
Today’s Expecting CEO affirmation is:
I am perfectly equipped for this journey.
Remember, an affirmation is only as powerful as the practice it’s attached to. We encourage you to post this somewhere you can see it today, use it as your meditation mantra, or even use it as a journal prompt!
Expecting CEO journal prompt: Of course, we want all of the t’s crossed and i’s dotted before we give birth, but oftentimes things don’t go to plan. If nothing were to change in your current circumstance, how would you manage your post-partum and maternity leave?
CONNECT WITH EMMA
WEBSITE: WWW.ELFOPERATIONS.COM
PERSONAL INSTAGRAM: @EMMAFERRICK
BUSINESS INSTAGRAM: @ELF_OPERATIONS
