Amanda Cole
Founder and CEO of Yummy Mummy
What inspired you to start your business?
My own personal needs for a store and resource that catered to breastfeeding moms.
What challenges have you faced as a woman entrepreneur and how did you overcome them?
Another entrepreneur recently said to me “things are never quite as good or bad as you would imagine.” I think that’s very true. When things get rocky (and there are always rocky moments), I try my best to stay calm, take step back, and develop a plan of attack that will get us through the challenge. I always feel better once I’ve mapped out a plan. Now we just need to execute on it.
What advice would you give to other women entrepreneurs?
The importance of “getting out there” and speaking with people. I’ve never regretted making a connection or learning about someone else’s business. It’s always revealed something about my own business that I hadn’t realized before.
What three traits define you?
Determination, fairness, resourcefulness.
What women inspire you?
All women who are able to find balance in their lives!
How has being a WBENC-Certified WBE helped your business?
It has enabled me to make some wonderful connections, to learn from other women entrepreneurs and to connect with industry thought-leaders I may not have met otherwise.
What do you see as the coolest or most important trend in your industry?
Improving the breast pumping experience for mom. Making it easier and – dare I say – relaxing? than ever.
As a business owner, what keeps you up at night?
Maintaining a level of excellence and superior customer service as we grow.
What are the biggest obstacles you see for young female entrepreneurs?
Since most investors are still men, some female founders are more likely to be pitching their female-related products to a primarily male audience who don’t quite “get it.” Of course, that makes the sales pitch that much harder.
What do you love about being a business owner?
I love that I’m never ever bored. I love that I’m always challenged. I love that I’m completely engrossed almost every day. Being passionate about something can transform even the most mundane task into something pretty interesting.
What’s the hardest part about being a business owner?
You never ever stop thinking about it.
How do you define success?
Taking risks and learning from them. Continuing to strive and push. Creating something that you’re proud of.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
Perhaps not the best, but a piece of advice I use every day is about the importance of delegating and specifically to always “delegate and check” as my father, also an entrepreneur, always says. You can’t grow your business if you’ve got your hands in everything, but you should be involved enough so that things don’t veer off course.
What’s your favorite career moment?
I was pretty excited when we were featured in The New York Times! I thought I could hang my hat then. But really…I can’t think of one specific moment, but I do love winning new business. Winning new business never gets old.
If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
Read, watch TV. Special time with my family. And probably work!
What are you reading or listening to now?
I’m just finishing up Jessi Klein’s You’ll Grow Out of It, which I’m loving. It’s hysterical, which is just what I need during COVID. I will only consume things that are light and happy these day (Ace Ventura Pet Detective was a recent favorite!).
What’s the best way to start your day?
Two cups of coffee. Getting caught up on work and life so I feel ready to tackle it all by 9 AM.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An evening news anchor.
How do you unwind after a long workday?
Ideally, watching The Goldbergs with my family and pup.
What do you like about your workspace?
I’m pretty low maintenance when it comes to my workplace. During COVID, I’ve used my car on a few occasions to mix it up!
Fill in the blank:
When I face a challenge, I… call a co-worker or an advisor.
If I could go back in time, I would tell myself… things happen for a reason and it is possible to make lemonade from lemons.
The one thing I couldn’t live without is… exercising. It keeps me sane.
To get my creative juices flowing, I… wake up early when the house is quiet and my inbox is relatively quiet.
yummy mummy
Founded by a certified lactation counselor in 2009, Yummy Mummy is a national Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provider specializing in breast pumps, in-network with over 100 insurance plans. Yummy Mummy’s mission is to help new and expectant moms get top-quality breast pumps through their insurance plans at little or no cost to them.
