If you’ve ever wondered if it’s possible to raise a business and a family at the same time, Sophie Chiche is living proof that it’s not only possible, but it can also be incredibly fulfilling. In this post, we’re diving deep into Sophie’s inspiring entrepreneurial journey, and how she’s managed to juggle her passion for helping others with the challenges of being a mom and a businesswoman.

From Trading Pencils to Entrepreneurial Success

Sophie Chiche’s entrepreneurial spirit was sparked at an incredibly young age. At just five years old, Sophie started trading pencils she received as Christmas gifts. By the time she was six, she had turned her love of trading into a mini pencil business in the sandbox. Talk about starting young!

Her entrepreneurial mindset grew as she did. Sophie eventually moved to the United States from France, and it was here that she began to truly embrace her entrepreneurial journey. With a knack for spotting opportunity and a desire to make a difference, Sophie wasn’t just focused on creating a business – she was all about creating something meaningful.

The Early Days: Starting from Scratch in a New Country

When Sophie moved to the U.S., she didn’t have a clear path laid out for her. But her resilience and drive led her to incredible opportunities. She got a job writing for a French magazine, despite not having the legal right to work in the U.S. at the time. This job was pivotal because it connected Sophie with groundbreaking ideas in the mind-body connection and wellness world, areas she became passionate about.

Sophie’s first taste of business success came when she grew an innovative spa concept to 12 locations across Los Angeles and New York, generating $9 million in revenue. This wasn’t just a business—it was a way to help people live healthier lives. Through her work, Sophie discovered a profound connection between wellness and personal development, which would become the foundation for her future ventures.

From Weight Loss to Productivity: Sophie’s Shift in Focus

Sophie’s previous company, Shape House, was all about helping people lose weight and improve their health through a unique approach. The business was founded on Sophie’s own journey of losing weight and reclaiming her health after struggling with obesity. But it didn’t stop there. Sophie quickly realized that true wellness wasn’t just about physical health – it was about emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being, too.

As she grew her business and balanced family life, Sophie began focusing on productivity and helping people achieve their goals without feeling overwhelmed. She wasn’t just helping clients improve their health; she was helping them get organized, focus on what truly mattered, and build a life that wasn’t just busy – but meaningful.

Entrepreneurship, Motherhood, and the Power of Choice

Being an entrepreneur while raising a family is no small feat. Sophie has faced many challenges along the way, but she’s always maintained that her journey was driven by choice. Unlike many people who feel stuck in their careers, Sophie intentionally designed her life around the things that brought her joy.

Sophie’s daughter, now almost 30, took a nontraditional route to education. At 13, she made the decision to unschool herself, taking her education into her own hands. Sophie supported her every step of the way, and her daughter’s decision to follow her passion led her to NYU, despite not having the traditional academic credentials.

As Sophie points out, kids who grow up seeing their parents take unconventional paths learn that there are always options outside the norm. Whether it’s in business, education, or personal development, there’s always room to innovate and try something new. That mindset is one Sophie wants to pass on to her own children—and the world.

Creating a Life That Feels Full, Not Burnt Out

One of Sophie’s biggest goals as an entrepreneur and mom is to avoid burnout. She believes in saying yes to the things that excite her and saying no to anything that doesn’t bring her joy. This mindset has helped her design a life that is full—full of meaning, purpose, and excitement.

For Sophie, entrepreneurship isn’t just about making money. It’s about making an impact, helping people, and building something that aligns with her values. Whether she’s writing a book, running a business, or hanging out with her family, Sophie stays focused on what truly matters.

And that’s something we can all learn from. Life is too short to feel stuck in a job or business that drains you. By following your passions and focusing on what makes you feel fulfilled, you can craft a life that feels just as exciting and rewarding as Sophie’s.

The Secret to Sophie’s Success: Following the Bliss

Sophie’s entrepreneurial journey didn’t follow a set path. She didn’t just create businesses for the sake of making money—she created them because they brought her joy. She followed the bliss of new ideas and passions, whether it was starting a pencil business as a child or helping others live healthier lives as an adult.

Sophie’s story is a testament to the power of following your passions and staying true to yourself. Whether you’re a mom, an entrepreneur, or both, Sophie’s journey proves that you can create something meaningful that brings value to others—and still have a life full of joy, freedom, and purpose.

Parenting is one of the toughest and most rewarding jobs you’ll ever take on. It’s not just about making sure they’re fed, bathed, and off to school. It’s about mentoring, guiding, and helping them grow into responsible, emotionally healthy individuals. But let’s be real—most of us weren’t handed a manual for raising kids. That’s where being intentional about how we approach parenting becomes crucial.

In this post, let’s dive into how you can raise confident, thoughtful children by shifting from simply “managing” their behavior to actively mentoring them in life. Let’s explore how small tweaks in your parenting style can lead to big changes in your family dynamic. Ready?

Stop Managing, Start Mentoring

The difference between managing your child and mentoring them is significant. In the rush of daily life, it’s easy to fall into a routine where we’re simply putting out fires—whether it’s a tantrum over not getting the last cookie or reminding them to finish their homework. But managing a child’s behavior, just like managing an employee, isn’t enough for their long-term development.

Instead of just being the “enforcer,” become their mentor. A mentor isn’t there to constantly tell them what to do; they’re there to guide, listen, and teach them to make their own decisions. You’ll be amazed at how much more rewarding it is when your kids begin thinking for themselves, taking ownership of their actions, and negotiating with each other (and with you).

One way to practice mentoring is by involving your kids in decision-making. For example, when my kids were bickering over what to do, I decided to step back and let them figure it out. My son wanted to go to the park to sell ice cream, and my daughter wanted to go to a trampoline park. Instead of deciding for them, I told them to negotiate and come up with a plan. They worked it out on their own, and when the day didn’t go as planned, they even held each other accountable. It was a simple situation, but the lessons they learned—about negotiation, responsibility, and keeping promises—were invaluable.

Teach Through Conversations, Not Control

One of the best ways to mentor your kids is by having open conversations instead of simply controlling their actions. Take a moment to pause and ask yourself: What do I want them to learn from this situation? For example, when my daughter wanted to carry the grocery bags but ended up dropping them, spilling the milk and eggs, I didn’t scold her. Instead, we had a conversation about what went wrong, what we could learn from it, and how to avoid it in the future. This taught her accountability and the value of learning from mistakes, instead of feeling ashamed.

These moments are golden. Parenting isn’t about preventing every mistake, but about using those mistakes as opportunities to teach valuable lessons. And don’t forget—your kids need to see you practicing the same behavior. If you’re clumsy (like me!) or have a bad day and make a mistake, acknowledge it. Show them how to handle frustration with grace. After all, kids learn more from what they see than what they hear.

Set Boundaries, But Be Present

The balancing act of setting boundaries while remaining emotionally available is something every parent struggles with. But it’s necessary for your child’s emotional growth. You can’t expect your child to understand their own feelings if you don’t have the time or energy to help them navigate those emotions.

For parents who feel overwhelmed, it’s essential to set aside time for self-care and reflection. You can’t pour from an empty cup, right? If you’re emotionally drained and have no space for yourself, how are you going to guide your kids through their own emotional ups and downs?

Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for better parenting. By taking the time to nurture your own mental and physical health, you’ll find you have more patience and energy for the tough moments. For me, this has been a game changer. When I prioritize my well-being, I can show up for my kids in a way that’s thoughtful, grounded, and present.

Parenting is a Journey, Not a Destination

Raising kids is a lifelong journey, and it’s important to remember that progress takes time. The key is being deliberate in how you approach it. Mentoring your children isn’t about perfection—it’s about being present, staying true to your values, and consistently showing up for them in a way that helps them thrive.

If you’re feeling unsure about your parenting style, know that it’s okay. We’re all figuring it out as we go. Just remember that small actions and shifts in perspective can lead to lasting positive changes. Whether it’s a simple conversation about a dropped grocery bag or helping your child navigate a difficult social situation, you have the power to shape their future.

So, let’s make parenting a partnership. Instead of controlling or managing every little thing, let’s empower our kids to make decisions, learn from their mistakes, and feel heard. The way we mentor them today will shape the adults they become tomorrow.

Parenting isn’t just about teaching kids the usual stuff like finishing homework or doing chores—it’s about helping them grow into confident, self-aware people. And let me tell you, I had such an eye-opening conversation with Sophie recently about just this! We dove into the importance of being aware of our surroundings, ourselves, and even our bodies—and how all of this helps us (and our kids) grow stronger and more confident.

Why Self-Awareness is Key for Everyone

We’ve all been there, right? So caught up in our own thoughts that we end up tripping over something or running into a wall because we weren’t paying attention? Sophie mentioned how this happens more when we’re not being intentional—like we’re so distracted that we forget to pay attention to the little things. And honestly, this applies to our kids, too.

If we want our kids to become more aware of themselves—how they move in the world and the space around them—we have to give them opportunities to mess up and learn from it. If they don’t have space to fail, they won’t learn how to do better next time. It’s like building confidence: it comes from making mistakes, bouncing back, and realizing they can keep going.

Teaching Body Positivity Through Action

Here’s something I hadn’t really thought about until Sophie brought it up—how we, as parents, model body positivity for our kids. Sophie shared a really powerful idea: Let your kids see you love yourself and your body. I know, this might sound a little out there, but hear me out.

Sophie has this approach where she’s super comfortable with her body, flaws and all. And she doesn’t try to hide it from her kids. She mentioned something about having a very European approach to body image—basically, she doesn’t believe in making her kids feel like their bodies or anyone else’s should be hidden. There’s a difference between modesty and shame, and Sophie is all about teaching her kids that bodies are not something to be ashamed of.

She even shared this quirky habit she has of walking around her house naked for 30 minutes a day. And while that might sound a little extreme, the idea behind it is solid: Get comfortable with who you are, just as you are. If you can learn to accept and love your body, you can face the world with so much more confidence. And the same goes for our kids. If we show them that it’s okay to love themselves—just the way they are—they’ll grow up knowing that their bodies are perfect, too.

Simple Ways to Boost Your Kid’s Confidence

Alright, so how can we take these ideas and actually apply them in our everyday lives? Here are a few super simple ways to start helping our kids become more self-aware and confident:

1. Let Them Reflect on Mistakes: When your kid messes up, don’t just fix it for them. Instead, ask them what they think went wrong and how they could do better next time. This helps them learn how to problem-solve and build their self-awareness.
2. Create Space for Growth: Whether it’s through physical play or emotional challenges, give your child the room to try things, fail, and try again. That’s how they’ll build confidence and resilience.
3. Show Your Own Self-Love: Let your kids see you being kind to yourself and your body. Talk about body positivity, affirmations, or just practicing self-care. If they see you modeling this, they’re more likely to adopt those habits themselves.
4. Have Open Conversations About Bodies: Talk to your kids about how bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Teach them that being confident doesn’t mean looking like someone else—it’s about loving who you are, no matter what.

Wrapping It Up: Confidence Starts at Home

At the end of the day, raising kids who are confident and comfortable with themselves starts with us. We need to model that confidence, create space for mistakes, and have real conversations about body positivity. It’s about showing our kids that they can be proud of who they are—inside and out.

Sophie’s story is a great reminder that confidence isn’t about being perfect. It’s about learning to love yourself and your body, no matter what. So, if we can show our kids that it’s okay to mess up, learn from it, and keep going, we’ll set them up for a lifetime of confidence and self-love.

Let’s Make a Change Together

Does this resonate with you? Are you ready to start making these shifts in your own home? I’d love to hear how you’re incorporating these tips into your life. If you want more inspiration, tips, or real talk about parenting, confidence, and self-love, be sure to subscribe to the blog.

Guest Bio

Sophie is a French import on an emotional asylum visa. An entrepreneur by breed, she started a pencil trading business by the age of six. Later, with $11 in her pocket, she grew an innovative spa concept to 12 locations in LA and NY and $9M in revenue. Her new venture helps people with lots of ideas execute meaningful ones. Plus she rides a Harley.

Visit https://being-current.com/ 

Follow Sophie on Instagram: @sophiechiche 

Find Sophie on LinkedIn: @Sophie Chiche 

Sophie’s Pinterest: @sophie_chiche 

Listen to Sophie’s podcast: https://beplaylove.com 

Listen to Sophie’s podcast appearances here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3YzfrYqa4zvqqlxTg53xfa