Female Founders: Janey Reilly of WeeSleep On The Five Things You Need To Thrive and Succeed as a Woman Founder
An Interview With Candice Georgiadis
Have an open mind and always be willing to learn from those you surround yourself with; your team, competitors, community and beyond. Successful people share information, continuously educated themselves, and want to learn from others. A good leader is able to take in other people’s personalities and appreciate everyone for who they are and what they can bring to the table. When we surround ourselves with good energy and people, only good things can come of it. I have learned to LEARN from others and not shut down ideas right away. I have also learned to not take things personally — it has taught me to be more resilient. I am a very sensitive person so I now have to let things roll off and be thankful for the lesson, tip or nasty comment…whatever it may be, I learn from it.
As a part of our series about “Why We Need More Women Founders”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Janey Reilly.
Janey Reilly is the founder of WeeSleep®, a Dream Team of certified infant and toddler sleep consultants that serve clients as far across the globe as New Zealand. Janey believes that teaching positive sleep skills will create healthier infants and toddlers and in turn, happier, healthier parents who enjoy a more balanced home life. Since 2011, WeeSleep® has grown to over 40 consultants and that number is expected to more than double by the end of 2022.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
I need to preface my career backstory by saying that I always tend to fly by the seat of my pants! My personal experiences and relationships brought me to where I am today. I worked a corporate career for many years — somewhere I never thought I would be. I was a wine account director for many years so that meant traveling the world and getting to work with high-end hotels, spas and restaurants. Then, I got the opportunity to work for a company called Sparkling Hill, which is a stunning Swarovski hotel, where I was the sales and marketing director. After leaving that gig, I ended up a marketing director for an online kids game. Marketing was where I really shined; I developed marketing campaigns for major brands such as Disney, Aveda, Trialto Wine Group and Sparkling Hill Resort. I didn’t anticipate leaving the corporate world until I had my son.
At that time, I was working a stable, corporate job at Disney in Kelowna, B.C., but I knew something was missing. On top of it all, I had very severe postpartum depression and lost sense of who I was. I thought I was prepared for motherhood, and I was very excited, but then I had him and he didn’t do anything that he was supposed to do according to my books.
After many sleepless nights that affected my mental health, I hired a sleep consultant. Within two days, my son was sleeping through the night! That’s when I decided to launch my own sleep consulting company, WeeSleep, in 2011. I knew there was something here I could learn from, and I knew I had the passion to make it even better for other moms out there like me who were struggling.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company?
The most interesting thing that has happened to me, overall, is how much I learned about myself when I began leading a team. The self-growth shift over the years has taught me how to better understand others, to be more patient and open, and to always work as a team, even though I’m the leader. My team continues to teach me lessons daily.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Oh gosh… this is embarrassing but still makes me laugh so hard when I think about it! Several years ago, I was at an overnight consult and pulled out my laptop while sitting across from fabulous (yet, very tired) parents to go over their child’s sleep plan with them. The whole time my laptop was open, the back of the computer was facing them.
After we were done with the consult, I closed the laptop to put it away, and low and behold, a pantyliner was stuck to the back of my laptop! The WHOLE time! I was mortified, and needless to say I never threw feminine products in my work bag EVER again!
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
My dad, 100%! When I was growing up, he was always a very hard worker. He taught me a strong work ethic, integrity, grit, and to work for what I want. My dad often said, “money doesn’t grow on trees,” which motivates me, to this day, to work hard and to save and invest my earnings. Thanks to him, I don’t take my company’s success for granted and am beyond grateful for how much we’ve grown, and continue to grow. My dad has always been my biggest supporter and cheerleader, even through all of my wild decisions!
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. According to this EY report, only about 20 percent of funded companies have women founders. This reflects great historical progress, but it also shows that more work still has to be done to empower women to create companies. In your opinion and experience what is currently holding back women from founding companies?
I believe FEAR is still holding women back. Fear of the unknown; from financials, to what-ifs, to how-tos, and beyond. Women have shared with me that often it’s a lack of support and confidence too. I encourage women to take the leap, although it may be scary, it could be the greatest thing you have ever done. You will never know unless you try!
Can you help articulate a few things that can be done as individuals, as a society, or by the government, to help overcome those obstacles?
A lot of obstacles can surprisingly come back to sleep. Sleep impacts mental health and our general well-being. These things can contribute to mental health. Sleep is the BEST thing you can do to START forming habits to be a stronger, smarter, more focused business person. When I go through stages where I burn the candle at both ends (which happens often!), I am irritable, impatient, choose the wrong foods and my workouts are “meh.” To ensure I remain focused on my business and to be the best leader I can be, it’s vital I get proper sleep. After all, I started WeeSleep because of my lack of sleep and how, without it, my world was turned upside down!
This might be intuitive to you as a woman founder but I think it will be helpful to spell this out. Can you share a few reasons why more women should become founders?
A huge reason I became a founder was so I can be there for my son and have the ability to create a balanced schedule that works for us. As a single mom, it is important for me to work from home so I can be with my son and get to watch him grow each day. Additionally, women love to collaborate with each other which is a valuable trait in building a successful business. FACT: Women-run businesses generate more revenue than those run by men — sorry guys! Building a business is NOT easy, but if you have a solid WHY and are ready to dig in and create a career you love and are passionate about, then why wouldn’t you? We as women bring a unique perspective to business problems, and we approach launching and building a company in different ways than men. Lastly, I have found that there are SO many amazing and incredible resources and support groups for female founders.
What are the “myths” that you would like to dispel about being a founder? Can you explain what you mean?
People tend to think, “When your business has a team in-place, or when you have grown a lot, you are SO successful.” However, most entrepreneurs don’t feel their “success” until they are REALLY where they want to be.
Another myth: “Entrepreneurs aren’t afraid.” We sure are! I was afraid to start my company 11 years ago, and I am still sometimes afraid every day, especially when it comes to hiring a new person, changing a price, rebranding, and more. But I also know that it’s important to trust the process and to understand that you have to give into fear to get a great return! You have to change to grow. You have to pivot to excel. You have to get back up after you get knocked down. Over and over and over.
“Entrepreneurs don’t work 9–5 so you are free of a regular schedule.” Some days I work 2 hours; some days it’s 10, but most days I work 6. As an entrepreneur, we are always working around the clock! For many, our businesses are constantly top of mind and we are always “on.” There are social media reminders in our faces, emails coming in at all hours, ideas coming to us in our sleep, business books on the bedside table…. the list goes on. Thankfully, I have learned to master the on/off switch and know when my most effective hours are for me to work. When my son is home, I often have to work, but I make sure it’s not until I have had time with him to have fun and really connect. Afterall, he is who I have to thank for my business coming to be!
Is everyone cut out to be a founder? In your opinion, which specific traits increase the likelihood that a person will be a successful founder and what type of person should perhaps seek a “regular job” as an employee? Can you explain what you mean?
I think anyone can dream up an idea or own a business, but I do not believe all people are prepared for the ups and downs. There can be many wins, and often, there are just as many, if not more, losses! That’s the nature of the game, and you must understand and know that that is what you signed up for. I am not sure I know of any successful entrepreneur who has had straight wins! Also, it can be lonely being a Founder and CEO. There is nobody to guide us, hold us accountable or motivate us. You have to do this on your own, and that comes from really believing in something, seeing the end game and trusting the process. It’s also very important to WANT to learn from others and to be able to embrace change, share info and admit mistakes, but to also celebrate even the smallest victories!
Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why? (Please share a story or example for each.)
- Create a support network.
It can be lonely being a CEO and working from home. A support network will hold you accountable, provide great ideas and inspire creativity. Good energy is contagious and when you have a network of incredible business women, it can be GOLD to move forward and also feel energized!
- GOOD freelance and team members are HARD to find!
There are many “professionals” whom will tell you they can do everything, but sadly, it’s usually an empty promise. I have encountered many “experts” in so many areas; social media, SEO, Google, Digital Ads, and beyond, but when they are actually hired, they lack results, and performance. There are a lot of inexperienced people out there that will happily take your money and not perform.
- Make time to build a growth mindset.
It wasn’t until 2 years ago that I blocked 2 hours off every Friday to journal, listen to podcasts, take an online course, or read a business book. It’s important to make time for growth. When I am in a growth mindset, I am clearer and more confident and ignited with ideas!
- Do your research thoroughly before hiring someone.
Before hiring, I always interview at least six people, and check out each of their client bases, their work and their testimonials. It’s also important to not get sucked into ads about what they did for other clients, or if they worked with someone well-known. I have invested in businesses after seeing their ad and getting sucked in to their image and promises. Some have been HUGELY costly, and did not live up to what they promised. Get to know your stats and reports. Dig in and be a part of it, and do not let people intimidate you. At the end of the day, it’s your business, and your money so you should know everything about it and anyone you work with should be transparent and get you what you need.
- Have an open mind and always be willing to learn from those you surround yourself with; your team, competitors, community and beyond.
Successful people share information, continuously educated themselves, and want to learn from others. A good leader is able to take in other people’s personalities and appreciate everyone for who they are and what they can bring to the table. When we surround ourselves with good energy and people, only good things can come of it. I have learned to LEARN from others and not shut down ideas right away. I have also learned to not take things personally — it has taught me to be more resilient. I am a very sensitive person so I now have to let things roll off and be thankful for the lesson, tip or nasty comment…whatever it may be, I learn from it.
How have you used your success to make the world a better place?
Creating WeeSleep has allowed me to help over 13,000 families be more rested, which means they are healthier and have more joy in their lives!
Through WeeSleep’s career opportunities, I have also helped over 45 amazing women create careers they love while they work from home and are with their families, all while earning a stellar income.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
I would create a movement about teaching families and schools the importance of educating kids about healthy sleep habits. Getting kids interested in healthy sleep habits at an early age will increase the likelihood they continue to build those sleep skills which will help so much more in their lives too.
Secondly, to go hand-in hand with sleep, I would inspire a movement for loving nutrition starting at a young age. Helping kids be more physically active and understanding the importance of healthy food choices will set them up with a lifelong foundation healthy living. There is so much more that schools can do to teach kids about building healthy habits. The key focus should be on having fun with healthy habits. Just like adults, kids are less likely to get excited about something they don’t enjoy. If kids are inspired in a way that brings them joy and fun, they will want more. This means more time to practice skills surrounding movement and nutrition which will only improve their abilities to keep creating strong, positive habits.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
Arianna Huffington. She is powerhouse and still remains real, kind, classy, smart, and together. She is a business icon I adore! I even loved her before her book, “The Sleep Revolution.” After her book launched and I saw her speak, I knew we were destined to be BFF’s (well, okay, in my head I felt it was very possible). I also admire how she is always polished and put together….never over the top, no drama. Just all class!
I have not landed a spot in the Huffington Post — yet. It’s on my wish list!
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this!
Female Founders: Janey Reilly of WeeSleep On The Five Things You Need To Thrive and Succeed as a… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.