By: Cassie Bartlett September 2024
In early April 2024, I was laid off from my job as an operations supervisor for an emergency roadside service company, where I worked remotely. For three days, my world felt like it had collapsed. Losing that job left me in shock and uncertain about my future. But soon, as I processed the situation, I realized that while one door was closing, another—one filled with opportunity—was opening.
During this time, I stumbled upon a mama on social media whose story resonated with me deeply. She shared how, at one point, she couldn’t even afford blueberries for her family. She spoke about how passive income had given her the freedom to stay home with her kids and build a better life. When she mentioned a course that had helped her achieve this, I knew I had to check it out.
Initially, I saw the course as a way to gain skills, update my résumé, and apply for new positions. And apply, I did—over and over. I sent out countless applications, only to receive rejection letter after rejection letter. It was exhausting. I was putting in the work, but the universe seemed to be telling me that none of those paths were meant for me. That’s when I realized: the direction I needed to go wasn’t toward another 9-to-5 job. The universe was guiding me toward something bigger. I needed to fully commit to building Luna, my own business, and dedicate all my attention to making it a reality.
As I continued through the course, my excitement grew. The ideas and possibilities kept flowing, and I knew I was on the right path. I didn’t need to go back to the corporate grind. I could create something meaningful, something that would give me the flexibility to be there for my family while also empowering other mamas to do the same.
In mid-April, I powered through the course, setting up my business. By mid-May, I had it up and running. Initially, I tried the Stand Store for a trial run, setting everything up there, but during the course, we learned how to build platforms using System.io. I built most of my foundation there and purchased a domain through Squarespace. However, it quickly became clear that building a website through Squarespace wasn’t going to work for me. I wanted everything in one place, and after much trial and error, I decided to go back to an old account I had through Wix.
Building my site felt like an endless process. I knew I wanted to create a blog and share experiences—postpartum stress, job loss, yoga, and more—but I didn’t have a clear product or mission. It was only after some serious reflection that I realized my mission: to create a space for mamas like me, balancing family life and personal growth while starting businesses from scratch.

With excitement, I started building around my blog. System.io would run my page, linking it to my social media accounts. I quickly realized, though, that the Stand Store trial would run out soon, and I’d need everything consolidated into one system. That’s when I dove deeper into Wix. I began exploring more and soon realized I could handle everything through Wix alone—blog, product offerings, domain—all under one roof.
One thing that always kept me going was my commitment to affiliate marketing. I partnered with brands that I loved and used every day: Amazon, WelleCo, Colorado Threads (LUNAMAMA Code for a 15% off), Social Studio, Peloton, Roadmap Exclusive and more. Even though these partnerships weren’t bringing in a lot of income at first, they allowed me to build a community. I was driven by a mission to create something bigger than just selling products. I wanted to empower other women—especially mamas—to find their own path to financial freedom while staying connected to what matters most: family.
But let me be real—this process has been anything but easy. Figuring things out, navigating the financial strains of job loss, and building Luna from the ground up tested me. But every time I started to feel overwhelmed, I turned to my yoga practice, my affirmations, and the vision of a future where I could help other women create their own paths to success.
After much trial and error with website design, I finally found the right freelancer to help give my site a facelift. While the process of working with a freelancer took longer than expected, it was worth it. But it came with challenges—delays, miscommunications, and the realization that once the work was done, I was on my own to make any future adjustments. Still, I persisted, and the final product was a beautiful, functional website that reflected everything Luna Mama stands for.
My mission with Luna is simple: to provide mamas everywhere with a space where we can connect, share resources, uplift one another, and thrive together in the business world. From coaching sessions to product recommendations, Luna is designed to help women explore new avenues for creating income, balance life, and make space for personal growth.
As I continue this journey, I’ve launched multiple social media platforms—Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest—to spread the word. But let me tell you, building an audience from scratch on Instagram or TikTok is no small feat, especially at 40 years old! Yet, I’m here for it. I’m committed to growing this platform, finding my community, and sharing everything I’ve learned along the way.
My ultimate goal is to help other mamas thrive. Starting a business while balancing family life is tough, and I know firsthand how much it helps to have a supportive community around you. That’s why Luna Mama exists—to be that place of encouragement, resources, and connection. Soon, I’ll be launching a business journal designed to help mamas like me document the ups and downs of their first year, offering spaces for meditation, affirmations, workout logs, and reflections. My hope is that this journal will be a lifeline for other mamas starting their journey, just as Luna has been for me.
I know that many of you are also wondering about the balance—how do you stay present with your kids while starting a business? Believe me, I’ve struggled with that too. It’s all too easy to be glued to your phone, and your kids notice. That’s why creating systems and automations is so important—it’s all about finding ways to be efficient with your time so you can focus on what really matters.
So, this is my journey. I’m still on it, and I invite you to join me. Let’s build something beautiful together—a community where we can thrive, support each other, and create the financial freedom we deserve. Luna Mama is here to help you every step of the way, whether it’s through coaching, community, or just sharing our experiences.
Together, we can make this happen. Let’s thrive together.
Bình luận