Lily Kanter’s journey as a serial entrepreneur is a masterclass in building successful businesses while staying connected to core values. As the founder of Serena & Lily, Boon Supply, and AveryLily, she has created spaces where women thrive—not just in business but also in life. Her lessons are especially valuable for moms striving to find balance, purpose, and success in their own paths. Here’s what every mom can learn from Lily’s remarkable career.
Serena & Lily Founder Shares Mompreneur Advice
Lesson #1—Pick Strategic Partners
Lily’s story highlights the importance of choosing the right partners, a lesson moms can apply at work and in life. Here are a few rules to apply when picking partners in life and in business.
- Choose partners who complement your strengths: Just as Lily selected Serena Dugan for her creative genius, moms can seek friends, co-workers, or mentors who fill in the gaps they have and uplift them. The key here is to embrace your own weaknesses and look for those people to partner with who can help with those gaps.
- Build relationships based on mutual respect: Collaboration flourishes with respect and understanding, whether it’s a business or a parenting decision. Honor other perspectives different from yours and give them space to collaborate and find the right balance.
- Create safe spaces for open dialogue: From boardroom meetings to family dinners, honest conversations strengthen bonds all around.
Lesson #2—Embrace an Imperfect Action Plan on Your Entrepreneurial Journey
Lily’s success reminds us that waiting for perfection can hold us back. Sometimes, you must go with your gut and launch into action when the right synergy and idea hits you.
- You can start before everything is perfect: Whether launching a business or trying a new parenting strategy, begin and consider these prototypes that you can iterate and improve upon as you go.
- Learn and adjust along the way: Like kids, businesses grow with love, patience, and a willingness to pivot.
- Trust your instincts while remaining flexible: Moms can find power in their gut feelings while adapting to new information.
Lesson #3—Leverage Resources That Make Sense for You and Your Business
Lily excels at balancing resources wisely—something moms know all too well. To me, this applies to helping around the house and with children as needs change and evolve. It also applies to determining if funding for your business is needed and right for what you are trying to build. As Lily shared in our interview, tech money isn’t always right for retail or commerce businesses with an entirely different supply model and path for growth. Understand your industry and ensure your financial decisions are sustainable for long-term growth.
Lesson #4—Build a Support System for Your Business and Family
No one succeeds alone, and Lily is no exception. Moms can take notes on how they surround themselves with support.
- Invest in consistent childcare: Reliable help enables focus on personal and professional goals.
- Create reliable, professional networks: Just as Lily builds strong connections, moms can find their “village” to navigate challenges.
- Maintain strong personal relationships: Nurturing partnerships at home is essential for overall well-being.
Stephanie Fornaro, CEO and Founder of Hello Nanny!, a boutique nanny placement agency, emphasizes: “Building your support system not only helps you feel less alone, but it also directly affects your ability to thrive—both at work and at home.”
Lesson #5—Be a Values-Driven Leader at Work and Home
Lily’s alignment of business and personal values has been her guiding compass at every step—a principle moms can apply daily. She firmly believes in giving back to communities and ensuring every child gets a fair chance at success. She teaches her children about these passions and thinks about how they can give back to others in need. For one kid, it was rock climbing and building a bouldering wall for kids in an underprivileged country. As she mentioned in our interview, kids are watching, not listening all the time, so model the life and values you want them to pursue and do in their own lives. Include family in the journey by sharing your goals and fostering understanding, purpose, and support.
Lesson #6—Avoid Burnout by Blocking Time for Yourself
For both business leaders and moms, sustainability prevents burnout and preserves joy. Proper planning can prevent burnout. Block time for self-care, family, and personal passions. For Lily, this is dedicating time to social impact organizations and finding unique ways to fuel those companies’ growth. Working to continuously maintain clear direction and have a vision for your family or career allows you to navigate any distraction with purpose.
Lesson #7—Realize the Power of Reinvention
Lily’s journey proves that setbacks can be a stepping stone to reinvention—a truth every mom can embrace. During COVID-19, Lily faced difficult decisions, including stepping away from a thriving non-profit. Yet, she emerged stronger, launching new ventures like the Empower Her fund and supporting Hawaiian businesses with her latest venture, AveryLily. Her resilience is a reminder that success isn’t linear, and moms, too, can adapt and thrive amidst life’s twists and turns.
Create Your Success at Home and in Business
How can moms translate these lessons into action? Here’s how:
- Identify your core strengths: What makes you unique as a mom, professional, or partner? Lean into that.
- Seek complementary partnerships: Whether with a spouse, co-worker, or friend, surround yourself with people who amplify your shine.
- Build your support network: From babysitters to business mentors, never hesitate to ask for help.
- Embrace challenges as growth opportunities: Tough moments often spark the greatest growth.
- Stay connected to your values: Let your values guide your choices in business or parenting.
Ready to create your own success story? Join the MomShine community for inspiration and practical tips from successful women leaders like Lily Kanter. Let’s empower moms to thrive at home, in business, and beyond. You can hear our entire interview, The Superpower of Perseverance: Business Success Secrets from Lily Kanter (Ep 217), on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts for more.