Praise for
The Expecting Entrepreneur
“The next economy requires new models—models that account for the modern realities of working parents and innovation that supports the realities of healthy families. In The Expecting Entrepreneur, Arianna Taboada gives readers the definitive playbook for creating that new model for themselves, as well as the much-needed tools to go beyond survival and get on with the business of thriving.”
Nathalie Molina Niño
“The Expecting Entrepreneur is a go-to guide for any business owner looking for concrete tools and planning support in navigating the adjustments to work and life necessitated by childbirth. The book is straightforward, with insights that will provide value well beyond the months surrounding childbirth—building business systems, support networks, financial planning, and planning for the unknowns. It's thoughtful, inclusive, and practical.”
Katie Bethell
"Arianna brings together key data, stories, and heartfelt guidance on parental leave in this timely resource for business owners. Her deep knowledge is evident in each chapter, and she elevates the reality that entrepreneurs and parents are differentially impacted by the United States's lack of social protections and systematic marginalization. This book makes the clear case why we all—business owners, thought leaders, advocates—must step up and rally behind the policies, programs, and supports that can help make parental leave possible for all."
Christine Michel Carter
"Arianna brings together key data, stories, and heartfelt guidance on parental leave in this timely resource for business owners. Her deep knowledge is evident in each chapter, and she elevates the reality that entrepreneurs and parents are differentially impacted by the United States's lack of social protections and systematic marginalization. This book makes the clear case why we all—business owners, thought leaders, advocates—must step up and rally behind the policies, programs, and supports that can help make parental leave possible for all."
Lily Nichols, RDN, CDE
“Arianna is prescient and stepping out at the right time with The Expecting Entrepreneur. Just like her, this guide is generous, thoughtful, science-meets-art, and will help you build the self-awareness you need as you move through the momentous shifts into parenthood. This book will give back and lift you up!
Rebecca Egbert
“The Expecting Entrepreneur is an incredibly comprehensive guide to planning out parental leave. I loved how thorough and inclusive this book is. It covers every possible angle from ‘how much time can you take?’ to ‘what does your ideal parental leave look like?’ to a postpartum mental and physical health support plan. I truly wish I had this manual when I was pregnant and trying to plan this huge upcoming change to my life and business. I highly recommend this book to all parents who run their own businesses.”
Bari Tessler, MA
“Arianna has expertly created a comprehensive and practical guide to parental leave for entrepreneurs. She acknowledges the historical significance of current parental leave standards and juxtaposes it with empirical data to highlight the necessity for systemic change to those standards. The Expecting Entrepreneur is an essential resource and required reading for all entrepreneurs looking to sustainably and supportively take care of their health, their family, and their business as they prepare to welcome a new life into this world.”
Parijat Deshpande, MS, CCTP
“The world has needed The Expecting Entrepreneur for a long time. Arianna Taboada's book is compassionate, immensely practical, inclusive, and evidence-based. Service-based business owners now have a manual for how to map out a maternity leave and return in ways that will quell their anxieties and help them avoid recreating the wheel. A must-read for self-employed new parents.”
Lori Mihalich-Levin, JD
“I am so excited that this book has been born! The pages are filled with practical advice for creating a postpartum experience that works. While it focuses on entrepreneurs, the strategies Arianna shares are applicable for all expectant parents and their employers. I appreciate that the book underscores the necessity of advocating for policy changes to make having a baby a less risky venture. New parents deserve and need support and space to heal and recover—and this book offers the wisdom to make that happen.”
Sarah Verbiest, DrPH, MSW, MPH
“With the same clarity we entrepreneurs aspire to have in approaching our work, the incredible Arianna Taboada also coaches expecting entrepreneurs to embark on their journey into parenthood in her wonderfully researched, thorough, inclusive, warm, and incredibly thorough gem of a book, The Expecting Entrepreneur. Arianna takes into account all the stages, all the potential pitfalls, and all the systems that are (or more often, are not) in place so that expecting entrepreneurs can confidently navigate an often nebulous, overwhelming time in our lives... that was not made for those of us taking the road less traveled. I am so grateful to this book, and I wish I had had it to guide me as I embarked upon the journey into motherhood. I will be sharing it with every small business owner or entrepreneur expecting a baby for years and years to come, because, as Arianna says in this beautiful book, ‘We matter. Our businesses matter. Our contributions matter.’"
Ayelet Marinovich, MA, CCC-SLP
“The Expecting Entrepreneur is a fantastic read and the book provides tangible tools for service-based businesses to plan for parental leave. In the United States, only a handful of states offer paid leave and elective coverage options for entrepreneurs. Finding elective coverage for entrepreneurs can be a challenging and confusing process—but it doesn't have to be. The reality is that many entrepreneurs struggle with planning paid leave and yet it is a vital time for families. This guide provides a clear framework for entrepreneurs to access a fundamental benefit.”
Xiomara Peña
“Arianna's practical, wise, and compassionate book is a must-read for any founder about to start a family. Her counsel is hard-earned, well-researched, and grounded. I especially appreciate her willingness to give voice to the challenges (that all too often go unseen and unsaid) in a way that illuminates a positive path forward.”
Amy Henderson
“Arianna's practical, wise, and compassionate book is a must-read for any founder about to start a family. Her counsel is hard-earned, well-researched, and grounded. I especially appreciate her willingness to give voice to the challenges (that all too often go unseen and unsaid) in a way that illuminates a positive path forward.”
Katayune Kaeni, Psy.D., PMH-C
“This book takes two messy things—running a business and having a baby—and provides a step-by-step roadmap for building out a customized plan to integrate them. I honestly thought that having another kid would mean the end of my business, but after reading this book I see an achievable path where I could make the family decisions that are right for me. The accessible balance of research and storytelling made me feel seen and empowered as a mom and business owner while building out a fully baked plan.”
Nikki Adamson
“Work-life balance can be especially challenging for entrepreneurs! In The Expecting Entrepreneur, Arianna Taboada has managed to create a fabulously practical and concise guide for service-based business owners so they can plan a parental leave tailored to their specific needs, along with the needs of their child and their business. She thoughtfully walks her readers through the process—from the preparation during pregnancy through the transition back to work—allowing for the flexibility and adaptability required by the changes that occur postpartum. This guide is a must-have for any entrepreneur undergoing a significant life transition!”
Adriana Lozada, AdvCD(DONA), CSC
“The Expecting Entrepreneur is easy to read and so actionable. It's not just the information in the book that hits the mark, it's also Arianna's voice, kindness, and guidance. Reading the book truly feels like speaking with a friend who has spent her career in maternal health and is committed to making sure that I am ok. During one of the most vulnerable times in life and business, that combination of expertise and compassion is what makes a true difference.”
Claire Pelletreau
“Here are the stats: Women own nearly 13 million businesses in the United States alone, and this comes with numerous daily challenges ranging from capital to infrastructure and support. Many are terrified when they find themselves at the crossroads of motherhood and entrepreneurship. What Arianna has done is untangle the newborn and motherhood journey from women-owned businesses, providing women with the framework for success during a period of exhilarating joy and wild uncertainty. From prescribing solutions on how to plan ahead with the right processes and structure, to detailed financial steps on funding your parental leave, this book leaves readers with absolute confidence in their journey as leaders, parents, and entrepreneurs.”
Blessing Adesiyan
"In The Expecting Entrepreneur, Arianna Taboada weaves together her expertise in navigating maternal health systems with her clear commitment to meeting the unique individual needs of pregnant business owners. Readers will find clear strategies that can be implemented right away, while simultaneously being guided to zoom out and think about the bigger picture. A resource that fills a gap and is sure to bring peace of mind!"
Joy Burkhard, MBA
“This book is a thoughtful and empowering blueprint for entrepreneurial parents to be psycho-emotionally and professionally well and prepared for many circumstances. Arianna insightfully pays attention to the structural contexts that drive factors like socioeconomic status and mental health that in turn influence healthy birthing. Her approach encourages self-reflection as the best way to know what is appropriate for the self. She provides resources, tools, and prompts to assist with knowledge gaining. She also provides affirmations from her own experiences and research to nudge an expecting entrepreneur toward their best possible birthing experience.”
Paris B. Adkins-Jackson, PhD MPH
“Unlike the rest of the world, which supports parents with federal paid leave, American families are left to go it alone—which is particularly tough for those who run their own businesses. The Expecting Entrepreneur provides a mission-critical blueprint for expecting entrepreneurs, small business owners, and contractors to not only survive their path to parenthood, but to thrive in the early months of balancing business and family needs. While the book is thorough and comprehensive in its approach, it's easy, step-by-step format takes the stress out of planning. This book is essential reading for any expecting entrepreneur!”
Kate Torgersen
“Arianna Taboada has created a must-have playbook for any expecting entrepreneur. She blends real stories with tactical actions and exercises to make planning and actually taking parental leave possible for business owners. Yet she also recognizes the unique experiences of business owners and has made this playbook flexible enough to make it work for you.”