Our editor joined in conversation with Erica Ignjatovic and Jhoanna Flores, who met early in their careers working together at a Los Angeles lifestyle magazine. Over the last fourteen years, they have seen each other through many life phases—and now, at different points in their motherhood journey, they are building a tech platform for new motherhood support. They share their insight on how society prepares women for motherhood and why this resource is needed now, more than ever.
LHM
What motivated you to create Little Honey Money?
EI
After having kids, I realized how much emphasis our society puts on baby products when preparing for motherhood—when actually, the things that matter most are support and wellness for baby and mom. I spent my entire first pregnancy researching products for my registry, yet hardly used any of the things I thought were so important. I’ve since learned that’s a common experience for first-time moms. There needs to be a shift in where we spend our time and money preparing for motherhood, and the first step is educating women before they become moms. I wanted to create that place where support for new motherhood comes first. I went to Jhoanna because we have bonded for years over the topics of technology, wellness, and motherhood. She’s so brilliant on the tech side, and her agency, Willa Creative, is behind some of the most beautifully-branded websites out there. Together, we’ve elevated the original idea in so many ways, and Jho has driven us to push boundaries with the product we are building. She has also historically been a huge supporter of women, which is cornerstone to Little Honey Money. This journey—that started exactly one year ago—has been meaningful all around.
LHM
Why is this platform necessary for new moms right now?
EI
Bottom line, women need support during their entire journey through new motherhood. There are so many resources and support providers available to make motherhood easier, better, and more enjoyable—physically, mentally, and emotionally. On top of that, the pandemic has forced us all to re-evaluate what “necessity” really means. We’re all realizing, in many facets of our lives, that we can live with so much less stuff. What we really need is that long lost village. With anxieties running at an all-time high, we hope our platform will serve as a resource for women to enter motherhood more supported and empowered—no matter what their journey looks like.
LHM
What did you find to be the biggest challenge during your new motherhood?
EI
There are so many hurdles that come with each phase of pregnancy, postpartum, and new motherhood. There’s no “mastering” any of it, but I have found that with every challenge I face there is always an answer or resource available to help with whatever I am dealing with. In my four years as a mom, I have called on every single person imaginable to support our family. There are many professionals responsible for the moments of strength, wellness, joy, and stability I have been fortunate enough to experience as a mom.
LHM
What’s something you have learned to appreciate, from the perspective of how you were raised?
JF
My parents got pregnant rather young and had to jump right in and figure it out. And they did a great job. I think that their attitude of, love your kids, do the best you can, but you won’t have all the answers is something I want to always remember when I am a parent. Our generation has so much—maybe too much—information and there are so many opinions around us, that it is daunting. So I will always think of my parents being able to figure it out, without overthinking everything.
LHM
What have you learned most while building Little Honey Money?
JF
How important this platform is. There is a common conversation I hear between current moms, wishing there was something like this available when they were pregnant and entering motherhood. I am also learning that everyone has an opinion and no one woman’s journey through motherhood is the same. I don’t think enough women trust their bodies and their intuition enough when it comes to what’s best for them.
LHM
What challenges have you faced, building a tech company during the pandemic?
JF
The ability to sit in-person, with a group of women, and have honest conversions around what we are building. Focus groups for a product like this are usually so helpful. We are doing a lot of zooms, calls, and emails, but there is beauty in being able to commune over a common goal and listen to our target customers in person. Aside from that, I think this time we’ve had to reflect and realize what’s most important has helped us look at this platform for practical use both during, and after, the pandemic. Making the company an essential platform that is pandemic-proof, digitally-forward, and support-forward is a big anchor in the decisions we are making.