Shamed for Choosing Work

What does it really take to build a successful business while raising a family? And how do you keep pursuing your ambitions without losing sight of your own well-being?

In this episode of Evolving Your Workplace, Carol Schultz sits down with Nicole Centeno, founder of Splendid Spoon, to discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, motherhood, and leading a growing company while navigating the demands of family life.

Nicole founded Splendid Spoon around two things she loves: the science of food and the pleasure of eating. Inspired by her own experience of becoming a mother while working full-time, she saw an opportunity to make nourishing, enjoyable food more convenient for busy people.

But building a business is about much more than having a great idea. Nicole opens up about the challenges of growing a company alongside raising children, making difficult personal decisions, taking risks, and learning to become comfortable with uncertainty. She also shares practical lessons on prioritization, protecting focused work time, and recognizing that not every business challenge is an emergency.

The conversation explores the additional pressures women often face as founders and leaders, including cultural expectations around motherhood, the fear of taking risks, and the importance of trusting yourself—even when the path forward is uncomfortable.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The inspiration behind Splendid Spoon: How Nicole combined food science, culinary passion, and a personal need for convenient nourishment to build her business.
• Motherhood and entrepreneurship: What it's like to grow a company while raising children and managing competing priorities.
• Why self-care matters: How taking care of yourself can help you show up more effectively for your family and your business.
• Making better decisions under pressure: Why stepping back from a perceived crisis can help founders think more clearly.
• The power of focused work: Nicole's approach to mandatory deep work and protecting at least three uninterrupted hours for important tasks.
• Getting comfortable with discomfort: Why risk tolerance, learning from mistakes, and embracing uncertainty are essential parts of entrepreneurship.
• The challenges women face in leadership: How cultural expectations and unequal support can affect women's ambitions and entrepreneurial journeys.
• Trusting yourself: Why staying true to your values can help you navigate difficult personal and professional decisions.

Whether you're a founder, business leader, working parent, or aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation offers an honest look at the personal side of building a business—and a reminder that success doesn't require you to ignore your own needs.

About Nicole Centeno

Nicole Centeno is the founder of Splendid Spoon, a food company built around making nourishing and enjoyable meals more convenient for busy people. Her entrepreneurial journey brings together her interests in food science, culinary creativity, and helping people make more thoughtful choices about what they eat.

Connect with Guest Nicole Centeno:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolecenteno/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niccent
• Company: Splendid Spoon — https://www.splendidspoon.com/

Connect With Host Carol Schultz:

Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

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