Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Beck.
Nicole, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I created Milkease as a solution to my own lactation challenges. After giving birth to my firstborn son, Brayden, I had low milk production and breastfeeding problems. My doctor advised me to apply moist heat with a warm washcloth or by taking a warm shower. This wasn’t always the most convenient. I knew there had to be a better way. After doing some research, I made my first Milkease, and it worked amazingly! I used it while breastfeeding all three of my boys – it was a lifesaver! Soon after my third son was born, I learned that half of the moms quit breastfeeding earlier than they desire due to the same lactation challenges I faced. This peaked my motivation to launch Milkease and help other moms enhance their breastfeeding experience!
Has it been a smooth road?
The road has definitely had its ups and downs. I have experienced two main challenges over the past year and a half. The first one is learning how to maximize my most valuable resource – TIME. I am a stay at home mom with young children, so it is hard to carve out time to devote to Milkease. I am a researcher by nature, and I would love to research and analyze every decision. However, with my busy schedule, I have learned there is definitely a time and place for research (because it is very important), but also times you must go with your gut and make quick decisions.
The second key obstacle has been recognizing my own limitations as an entrepreneur. When I first launched Milkease, it was my baby, and I thought I could do everything for it. I quickly realized that although I have many years of experience in different functions of corporate America, there was still so much to learn as a sole business owner. I had to evaluate and identify my areas of strength and weakness. I used my networks to outsource where I needed to, while I kept the business moving in other ways. For example, the areas I decided to outsource were legal, photography and graphic design. It was one of the best decisions I have made!
Therefore, my advice to young entrepreneurs is to keep focused on the passion that is driving you. It is not a sprint; it is a marathon that will have its highs and lows. Manage your time well and outsource where you need to. This will help you identify and achieve small goals along the way, so you continue to fuel your passion and stay motivated!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Milkease – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Breastfeeding may be best for baby, but it can be hard on mom. In fact, half of all moms say they quit breastfeeding earlier than they wanted to because of lactation challenges. Milkease is an all-natural breastfeeding pack that enhances the breastfeeding experience so moms are able to breastfeed longer and babies are able to get the best nutrition nature ever made! Milkease is a circularly shaped pillow filled with whole flaxseed and dried lavender flowers. It is quick and easy to use – just heat it up in the microwave for about a minute and then place on the breast before nursing or pumping. The flaxseeds emit a warm, moist heat which dilates the milk ducts. This allows the ducts to expand and the breast milk to flow easier and faster. Breastfeeding moms love Milkease because it helps increase milk production, increase milk flow which allows for less time pumping, and releases and prevent clogged milk ducts. Milkease can also be put in the freezer and used as a cold pack to help reduce inflammation and engorgement pain. Milkease is an all-in-one breastfeeding tool that every nursing or pumping mom should have!
Milkease comes in a 1-pack or a 2-pack. The 1-pack is recommended for moms that primary nurse their baby. The Milkease stays warm long enough to use on both breasts before re-heating. However, for moms that often pump, the 2-pack is recommended. This will allow her to dilate her breasts simultaneously before and/or during her pumping session. This should decrease the amount of time she spends pumping, and help release more breast milk for increased supply.
Milkease is available nationwide on www.theMilkease.com, Amazon and at a various baby and breastfeeding boutique retailers (including Baby Bliss & The Nappy Shoppe locally).
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I absolutely think that my upbringing played a role in my success. I was raised in a small town in Nebraska. My dad was an extremely hard-working farmer and mom was an equally hard-working teacher. I learned how to work hard at a young age with many duties on the farm. One of my summer jobs was to walk the potato fields and take soil samples at various marked areas. I got paid by the hour, yet I would literally run through waist-high fields so I could hang out with my friends sooner. I bottle fed Norman, a baby calf, three times a day, one summer because his mother died during childbirth. These jobs were not only unusual and hard work, but they taught me how to be comfortable with the unknown. They often required problem-solving skills since there wasn’t a manual or best practices on how they should be accomplished. All these experiences, along with parents who were extremely positive and supportive, helped make me who I am today.
Pricing:
- 1-Pack Milkease is $32
- 2-Pack Milkease is $55
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theMilkease.com
- Email: theMilkease@gmail.com
- Instagram: @theMilkease
- Facebook: @theMilkease
Image Credit:
Laughter Photography
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