From Layoff to Leap: Building a Business While Raising Two Babies One Year Apart with Abbie O'Brien

Sometimes life's biggest setbacks become the very thing that launches us into something even better.

This week on MomsWork Podcast, Kristin sits down with Abbie O'Brien—wife, mom of two daughters born just 12 months and three weeks apart, founder of The Branding Den, former Creative Director, and part-time yoga instructor.

After spending nearly a decade building a successful career in the franchising industry, Abbie's world changed overnight when she was unexpectedly laid off during the pandemic while navigating new motherhood. Instead of returning to the corporate world, she took a leap of faith, trusted her instincts, and built her own branding and marketing agency from the ground up.

In this inspiring conversation, Abbie shares the realities of entrepreneurship, the power of building authentic relationships, how AI is changing the marketing landscape, and what it really takes to create a memorable brand. She also opens up about motherhood, including the unique experience of raising two daughters born just over a year apart, learning to ask for help, and embracing the beautiful chaos of parenting little ones so close in age.

Whether you're dreaming of starting your own business, navigating an unexpected career change, or simply trying to balance work and family, Abbie's story is filled with encouragement, practical advice, and the reminder that sometimes our greatest opportunities come disguised as setbacks.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• How an unexpected layoff during the pandemic changed the course of Abbie's career
• The story behind founding The Branding Den
• What makes a brand memorable beyond having a beautiful logo
• Common branding and marketing mistakes businesses make
• Why networking and relationships are essential for business growth
• How AI is transforming branding, marketing, and entrepreneurship
• Current marketing trends every business owner should know
• Raising two daughters born just 12 months and three weeks apart
• The challenges—and unexpected joys—of having children so close in age
• Learning to accept help and lean on a support system
• Balancing business ownership, motherhood, and self-care
• Quick-fire questions and parenting wisdom

Abbie's journey is a powerful reminder that resilience, creativity, and a willingness to take a chance on yourself can lead to incredible opportunities. Her story proves that while life doesn't always go according to plan, it often leads us exactly where we're meant to be.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review MomsWork Podcast wherever you listen. Share this episode with a parent, entrepreneur, or friend who could use a little encouragement today.

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Mentioned in the show: 

The Branding Den: https://www.thebrandingden.com/

Facebook: The Branding Den

Instagram: @thebrandingden

Jenna Bush Hager's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/open-book-with-jenna/id1707218732

The Rabbit Hole Conshocken:  https://therabbitholeconshy.com/