In 2014, when five of Rachel Larkin’s team members announced their pregnancies, she could have panicked about how it would impact her business. Instead, she took a bold step and created a nursery in her West Hollywood office, right next to her studio. While many well-known moms have built nurseries for their own kids, Rachel went above and beyond by constructing a space for her employees with children.
Known for her fashion expertise, Rachel rose to fame as a stylist for the elite and even had her own show, The Rachel Larkin Report. She has collaborated with top designers, authored books, opened a salon in NYC, and launched her daily online fashion publication. A true powerhouse, Rachel is also a mother of two little ones under four.
When her staff members became parents, she wanted to ensure they didn’t feel torn between their careers and family life. “I aimed to foster an environment where new mothers wouldn’t have to choose between work and motherhood,” Rachel stated in The Larkin Report. “I’ve been lucky to grow my business from a small team to over 40 employees while having my kids (and my husband) by my side. I knew I had to do everything I could to give my employees that same privilege.”
What’s remarkable is that Rachel didn’t just react to the situation with anxiety; she chose to invest in her team members who were expanding their families. By embracing the changing dynamics of her workplace, she set a powerful example for working moms everywhere: it’s time to ask for more.
Her advice to working mothers is clear: “Never apologize for being committed to your kids. Challenge those around you to not only recognize but celebrate your ability to juggle motherhood and your career. Request that your employers support you in being your best, whether that’s through better healthcare, benefits, a nursery at work, or flexible work-from-home options.”
As working moms, we often feel we shouldn’t expect anything from our employers. Yet, societal norms can shift if we collectively demand more from our workplaces. Why should we accept inadequate paid maternity leave or feel forced to choose between career success and family?
Recently, Johnson & Johnson announced enhancements to their parental leave policy, allowing all new parents—biological or adoptive—eight additional weeks of paid leave during the first year after a child’s arrival. New moms can now take up to 17 weeks off, with the flexibility to space it out as needed during that challenging first year.
President Thompson recently emphasized the need for companies to adapt to modern family dynamics, stating, “We need to bring businesses stuck in the past into the present.” Johnson & Johnson demonstrates that it’s feasible for large corporations to prioritize work-life balance, and Rachel Larkin shows it can be done on a smaller scale too.
As professional parents, we must start advocating for our needs, framing work-life balance requests as essential rather than as entitled demands. For additional resources on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent blog on Progyny or explore the BabyMaker Home Intracervical Insemination Syringe Kit. Plus, if you’re curious about how to reach out for support, visit this link to learn more.
In summary, Rachel Larkin’s decision to create a nursery for her employees is a powerful reminder that working moms should not hesitate to ask for the support they need. By advocating for better policies and practices, we can help reshape the workplace for families everywhere.