Jess Ringgenberg
We sit down with Jess Ringgenberg, the visionary founder of ELIXR Coaching & Consulting, launched in December 2023, and a champion of matrescence. ELIXR addresses systematic gaps for women and mothers in the workplace, recognising that almost 90% of women become mothers at some point in their lives.
Jess and her dedicated team of three core members, along with two fractional staff, work to build organisational muscle around understanding motherhood and its impact on businesses. Their comprehensive programs include matrescence workshops, self-coaching education, organisational empathy building, sustained communities for working moms, group coaching, and limited 1:1 coaching.
As a mother of two boys, ages 10 and 6, Jess brings a personal and professional passion to her mission of closing gaps for working moms and everyone they interact with.
Interview Questions
Can you share your journey of entrepreneurship from the time you decided to start your business to where you are now, considering the significant milestones of trying to conceive, pregnancy, and post-partum?
All of my matrescence journey and career in corporate America led me to where I am today. Pregnancy, postpartum and every facet of motherhood is invisible and unsupported in the U.S. infrastructure which is why founded ELIXR. I witnessed a gap and lived in the gap and I aim to bridge that gap.
What were the unique challenges you faced as a female entrepreneur while going through the process of trying to conceive, pregnancy, and post-partum? How did you navigate these challenges?
The hardest part right now is being a mother of 2 boys who I juggle being really intentional with, and present when I’m with them. It’s a constant mental game to put my phone away and be present. I have to be intentional with my business time and my time with my children. I’m very lucky to have a partner who is a participant and supporter in our family and my business. I’m in a nice stage where my children can now entertain themselves, which can also make it easier to get lost in my laptop or business so agai the intentional time focus is critical.
How did you manage your business responsibilities while dealing with the physical and emotional aspects of pregnancy and post-partum recovery?
I was building a career and a high achiever in the corporate world when I was pregnant and post partum, candidly it was a disaster the identity shift, and fallacy of maternal instinct was shocking. That led me down the road of matrescence research which is the foundation of my business today. Outside of research and education we also couple this with tools for self-coaching so you can thrive in all stages. Again I did not thrive it was the opposite and I want all women to have the tools to thrive now.
Did you experience any changes in your entrepreneurial mindset or approach during pregnancy or after becoming a mother? If so, how did these changes manifest?
My journey began a year ago and motherhood actually drove me to take the leap, for them and our family.
What support systems or resources were most beneficial to you during your journey as an entrepreneur navigating pregnancy and motherhood?
Our savings, my husband, hiring a strategic advisor, a clear purpose and mission. The mix of advocacy, human joy and business fuels me to wake up everyday.
Reflecting on your experience, what are some successes or achievements in your business that you attribute to your journey through trying to conceive, pregnancy, and post-partum?
I attribute everything to my motherhood journey. Its what’s allowing me to re-write the story for myself, taking ownership and putting value back in my own motherhood journey the last 4 years and sharing that with working mothers today.
Conversely, what were some of the biggest obstacles or setbacks you encountered as a female entrepreneur during this period? How did you overcome them?
So far my biggest obstacle has been scaling and bootstrapping. I want to keep this mission driven so that keeps the budget constraints in place.
In hindsight, what additional support or resources do you wish you had access to during your journey through entrepreneurship while being pregnant and a new mother?
I wish I had done this sooner. Period.
How did you balance the demands of entrepreneurship with the needs of your child during their early years? What strategies or techniques proved most effective for you?
Early childhood is intensive as far as hands on, elementary age and middle school age is demanding in a different way. Competitive sports , their own emotional hurdles, making time for them as humans with real conversations. We’re a no phone no social media house so lots of discussions around why and how that feels at school. It’s a different hard.
Looking ahead, what advice would you offer to other female entrepreneurs who are either considering starting a family or are already juggling entrepreneurship and motherhood?
GET SUPPORT. I have a coach, a mentor, a networking group, an advisor, be an adult learner, have a beginner mindset and be open to creative possibilities. You go this momma.