Elena Brandt, co-founder of Besample, recently faced discrimination at a female entrepreneurs event where she was asked to leave because her baby was making noise. As a representative for female entrepreneurship, the unfortunate occurrence highlights the hurdles many entrepreneur mothers confront while seeking to balance motherhood and their professional life.
Brandt, a mother of four and doctoral student at the University of Florida, has managed to balance her personal life and academic endeavors while growing her company, Besample. The company is dedicated to addressing significant gaps in scientific research data globally. Juggling multiple demanding roles, she successfully exemplifies high-level multitasking.
In addition to her academic pursuits and caregiving responsibilities, Brandt’s innovative spirit drives her work at Besample. She applies her extensive knowledge to the company’s mission of making meaningful developments in filling global data voids in scientific research. Despite her demanding schedule, she remains committed to enhancing the landscape of scientific data and progressing her education while nurturing her family.
While balancing her career and motherhood, Brandt continued to pursue her professional goals.
Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship hurdles
She attended an intensive three-month business incubator with her baby, who surprisingly found comfort and support in the setting. This instance affirms that professional development and motherhood can coexist successfully.
However, at another startup industry event, the organizers were less accommodating towards her and her child, leaving her feeling unwelcome. This experience exposed the need for more inclusive and understanding environments in networking spaces, particularly for working parents who are juggling multiple responsibilities.
When her baby began to make noise during another founder’s speech, Brandt was asked to leave the room, though she tried to lessen the disturbance by moving to the back. She reluctantly left with her child to avoid further disruption. This incident sparked a debate among the attendees about the corporate world’s attitude towards working mothers.
Her experience led Brandt to question whether some professional environments fairly balance business and parenthood responsibilities. She argues for greater understanding and inclusivity in these settings. Highlighting the need for a shift in corporate culture, Brandt underscores the importance of supportive workplaces that accommodate working mothers’ unique challenges.
