Since our initial conversation with private chef and nutrition expert Rachelle Girardin in 2021, significant and exciting developments have occurred in her business, Beyond Nourished. We recently reconnected with Girardin to explore her innovative strategies for managing her entrepreneurial endeavors alongside her new role as a mother.
New milestones and achievements
“The past couple of years have been quite a journey!” Girardin exclaims with a laugh.
In November 2022, Girardin marked an important milestone with the opening of her physical location on Fraser Street, Vancouver. Here, she leads her dedicated team of ten in offering two key aspects of Beyond Nourished: a holistic chef certification program and personalized chef services.
On the personal front, Girardin has much to celebrate as well; she recently married and welcomed her son into the world. Throughout this period, she is adapting her view of motherhood and maternity leave, striving to create a balance that accommodates her family’s needs alongside her professional commitments.
Welcoming a new baby comes with various ways family and friends can lend their support. Here are some suggestions.
Provide meals or arrange food delivery
Meal preparation can be daunting when caring for a newborn or recovering from childbirth.
Think beyond the initial weeks
“While many rush to see the baby or offer help in those first weeks,” Girardin notes, “it’s vital to remember that support is often needed even two to three months later.”
Assist your partner
This means “providing the mom with two hands for whatever she needs,” Girardin recommends.
Consider hiring help
Engaging a cleaner or postpartum doula can significantly free up time and reduce stress.
Don’t hesitate to seek support
Partners can experience emotional and mental challenges during the postpartum phase; reaching out for assistance is crucial.
Reimagining motherhood
Often, maternity leave seems to come with a predefined set of expectations. However, for entrepreneurs like Girardin, this conventional outlook does not necessarily apply.
“I wasn’t entirely sure what maternity leave should entail for me,” Girardin confesses. She was determined, however, to merge her identities as a mother and businesswoman. “As an entrepreneur, the constant question is, ‘How do I allocate mom time versus work time?’” she explains.
A month prior to her son’s birth, Girardin’s mother came to assist her by preparing their home and easing Girardin’s work transition.
Following the baby’s arrival, her mother supported her with childcare and running errands for the business. After her mother left, Girardin employed a nanny for a few hours each day to ensure both her self-care and productivity. “That was a lifesaver,” she reflects.
Girardin emphasizes that new mothers may hesitate to accept help, but nurturing social connections can be incredibly fulfilling—for both mother and baby. “Support is vital!” she states. “You maintain that intimate bond with your child while also carving out some personal time.”
Utilizing her business’s personal chef services firsthand, Girardin realized the profound impact it can have on families. “With just a few hours each day to spend with family, having prepared meals transforms everything—and your relationships!” she laughs.
The concept of parental leave extends beyond just mothers. Studies indicate that when fathers take time off to bond with their newborns, the benefits extend to the entire family.
Insights from the experience
Like many new mothers, Girardin has occasionally felt overwhelmed. “There are moments when I feel like I’m trying to juggle too much,” she admits. “As with any first-time mom, the reality of parenting is full of surprises.”
“When I was scheduling events while pregnant, I thought it would be easy to take on commitments a couple of months after my baby arrived. I never factored in the possibility that my baby might be late!”
For instance, she had to delegate several responsibilities to another chef. “Letting go of work can be extremely difficult, particularly when your income supports a small business,” Girardin reflects. “Saying no becomes a challenge.”
Through her maternity leave, Girardin has learned the importance of stepping back and placing trust in her team. “This experience has prompted significant growth for me,” she acknowledges.
One of Girardin’s notable accomplishments came when she catered a 60-person event while her son was just six weeks old. She successfully met this commitment, with her baby in tow, due to her swift recovery post-birth and her strong support network.
“Having my mother assist me made me realize how capable we can all be when we’re supported by others,” she says. “Though it may sound crazy to cater an event six weeks postpartum, I found it revitalizing and energizing. My baby was always by my side.”
Advice for new mothers
“There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to maternity leave,” states Girardin. “We need to release the notion that it should conform to specific standards. The reality is that each journey is unique.”
Curious about how to shape your own leave? Girardin recommends reflecting on what feels right for your family and business, emphasizing that personal choice is key.
“It’s not uncommon for women or business owners to hesitate in asking for assistance, but it’s essential,” she explains. “We don’t need to validate our independence or capabilities; we can flourish best through rest and harmony.”
Despite her impressive achievements, Rachelle Girardin is bursting with aspirations for her enterprise. She believes that the holistic chef certification segment offers vast untapped potential. Additionally, she is eager to assist others in launching their ventures.
For her personal chef services, Girardin is refining offerings to cater to clients’ varying needs, including different service levels. She continuously strives to enhance client satisfaction, whether by improving efficiencies or finding budget-friendly grocery solutions.
Discover more about the programs and services offered by Beyond Nourished at beyondnourished.com.
The proportion of Canadian women with young children participating in the workforce has significantly increased, from an estimated 33.5 percent in 1976 to 77.1 percent in 2022. Consult your HR department to understand the parental leave policies available to you at work.
This article was originally featured in the May 2024 edition of Thewindowsclubs magazine.
