Healing Through Business & Motherhood w/ Jessica Garcia-Wood

When Jessica Garcia-Wood moved back to Northwest Indiana after serving as an ER nurse in the Air Force, she didn’t expect motherhood to feel so lonely—even surrounded by family. That quiet ache became the seed for Little Hearts Play Café, a space designed to bring parents and kids together in the earliest, most isolating stages of parenting.In this heart-forward conversation, Jessica shares how postpartum depression shaped her vision, how the military unexpectedly taught her to lead, and what it’s really like running a business with her husband. We talk about identity, first-generation ambition, and the courage to build what’s missing.This one’s for the moms, the dreamers, and anyone learning to create from the hard parts of life.Episode Highlights:Jessica’s journey from Air Force ER nurse to play café founderThe emotional and logistical roots of starting a business as a momNavigating marriage and entrepreneurship as co-foundersThe role of family, identity, and cultural background in her storyBuilding a space for connection during postpartum isolationChapters:00:00 – Introduction & meeting Jessica02:30 – From Air Force ER nurse to entrepreneur06:15 – The spark: postpartum, isolation & business idea10:00 – Launching a play café and building connection15:00 – Running a business with your spouse: realities20:00 – Balancing motherhood, nursing career & business25:00 – Reflections, advice & next stepsConnect with Jessica Wood:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlehartsplaycafe/Website: https://littlehartsplaycafe.com/homeEmail: [email protected] podcast is brought to you in partnership with Liz Chapman & COUpcoming Events:Napa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwSave 25% with Flodesk - https://flodesk.com/c/OR8VKLLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.