Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Zugay.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey began over a decade ago when I started my first business, With Grace and Gold — a brand and web design studio for creative small business owners. For many years, I poured my heart into growing that business. I worked long hours, often seven days a week, and while I loved what I was building, I didn’t realize how much of my identity had become wrapped up in constant productivity and hustle.
Everything shifted when my husband and I began planning to grow our family. When I became pregnant, I felt a deep sense that life — and business — needed to look and feel different. I didn’t want to keep operating at a pace that left no room for rest, reflection, or simply being. I wanted to build a business that supported the life I envisioned as a mother — one rooted in presence, peace, and purpose.
That’s what inspired Made by Motherhood — a space created from the belief that motherhood changes everything, and that those changes are something to honor and build from. Through Made by Motherhood, I offer printable planners and checklists, business education specifically tailored to moms, and a weekly encouraging and actionable podcast for moms who want to grow something beautiful and sustainable — something that works with their life, not against it.
It’s been such a joy and privilege to create a space where mothers feel seen, supported, and empowered to pursue their goals in a way that aligns with who they are and the season they’re in.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Entrepreneurship, especially as a mother, is filled with constant learning and evolving. One of the biggest challenges for me was unlearning the idea that success has to come from hustle. For so many years, I measured my worth by how productive I was — how many hours I worked, how much I could get done. But becoming a mother required me to slow down, to create margin, and to redefine what success truly meant.
There have also been emotional challenges — like letting go of the version of myself I had been for so long, and learning how to navigate a completely new season while still wanting to show up fully in business. There were (and still are) days filled with doubt. But through every challenge, I’ve been reminded that building something sustainable, meaningful, and rooted in purpose is worth the discomfort of growth.
The road hasn’t been smooth — but it’s been honest, beautiful, and transformative in ways I couldn’t have imagined. And I’m grateful for every twist and turn, because they’ve brought me to a more grounded, intentional version of myself — as a mother and as a business owner.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Through Made by Motherhood, I offer printable planners, business education, and a weekly podcast for mothers who are growing businesses while raising little ones. I specialize in helping moms simplify and create sustainable momentum — whether that’s through printable planners to bring more peace and structure to their days, my Business Essentials course designed specifically for moms with no prior business experience, or the Made by Motherhood podcast, where I share about business, motherhood, and everything in between.
What I’m most proud of is the heart behind it all. Made by Motherhood was born from my own experience — navigating the profound shift that comes with becoming a mother and realizing that so many of the traditional approaches to business no longer aligned. I wanted to create something that felt honest and supportive — a space where moms feel seen, understood, and encouraged as they build something meaningful in the season they’re in.
What sets Made by Motherhood apart is its focus on real-life motherhood — the kind with sleepless nights, interruptions, and nap-time brainstorms. There’s no pressure to hustle or pretend to have it all figured out. Everything I create is designed to be practical, approachable, and truly supportive — because I believe mothers deserve tools that work with their lives, not against them.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Yes! I’m a big believer in surrounding myself with resources that help me stay grounded, focused, and inspired — especially in this season of balancing motherhood and business.
I love Canva for creating everything from social media posts to product mockups and Flodesk for email marketing. I also use the Peloton app for quick at-home workouts.
As for books, Essentialism by Greg McKeown was a game-changer for me. It helped me rethink how I spend my time and reminded me that doing less — but better — is a form of success. Do Less by Kate Northrup is another favorite that speaks directly to motherhood, energy, and sustainable productivity.
I’m always looking for tools that meet me where I am — that help me do my best without asking me to do more than I have capacity for.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://madebymotherhood.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kellyzugay
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madebymotherhood
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyzugay/
- Other: http://www.kellyzugay.com/
