From Mat Leave to 10K Months (The Real Version) with Ashley Wyatt

In this episode of This Mother Means Business, Laura Sinclair sits down with Ashley Wyatt, founder of Monarch Design Co., to talk about rebuilding a business through the intense season of early motherhood. Ashley shares her journey from corporate design and wedding stationery to branding and web design, including the pivots that came with COVID, fertility challenges, two babies 22 months apart, and becoming the primary breadwinner when her husband lost his job. Together, Laura and Ashley unpack what it really takes to regain momentum — getting into rooms, staying visible, reaching out, trusting the timing, and creating supportive routines — plus a practical conversation about the ROI of professional branding and websites.In this episode you will hear:00:20 – Making the episode work around nap schedules (mom life)01:08 – Ashley introduces Monarch Design Co. (branding + web design)03:30 – Ashley’s early career: corporate design, calligraphy, teaching, stationery04:40 – COVID pivot: losing wedding clients and shifting into branding + websites (2021)05:25 – “Scrappy” entrepreneurship and willingness to pivot07:17 – The reality of rebuilding after babies and life changes08:30 – VIP days + building a business around childcare capacity09:15 – Husband loses job + Ashley becomes primary/only breadwinner10:56 – What moved the needle: visibility, relationships, and outreach11:48 – “Plant the seeds” + trusting timing when results feel slow15:01 – Giving yourself grace + a realistic morning routine in motherhood17:32 – Why branding matters: confidence, consistency, and being top-of-mind18:33 – Laura’s rebrand story + how premium branding impacts perception22:09 – ROI of branding/web design + pricing confidence23:33 – Capacity, childcare, and creating separation to work without guilt25:10 – Household support + invisible labour + outsourcing26:15 – Final advice: get out of your own way and put yourself out there27:20 – Where to find Ashley online + her podcast Ashley's Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monarchstationeryco/Website: https://themonarchdesign.co/ Tickets for This Mother Means Business LIVE - Presented by CIBC Business Banking on April 1st, 2026 are available now! Get yours here: https://www.thismothermeansbusiness.com/tmmb-2026 Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com Laura's Links:• Website • Laura's Instagram • LinkedIn • Facebook • Pinterest • TikTok