Conversations with the Inspiring Marin Epp

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marin Epp.

Marin, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After I had my first child in September 2016, I was completely humbled by how overwhelming, exhausting and isolating being a first-time mom became. I felt alone and ashamed in how hard everything was for me when everyone else seemed to have it all together. The journey to motherhood had not been easy for me, and after going through IVF to start our family, I mistakenly assumed the rest would be a breeze in comparison.

Other moms made jokes about not getting any sleep, but I felt completely destroyed by my sleep deprivation. In being a mom, these hardships often feel overlooked and minimized, leaving women to feel weak and inadequate in not being able to handle it all.

I eventually ignored Facebook posts warning me that sleep training was harmful after deciding that I literally could not be the mom I wanted to be if I didn’t get some sleep and take care of myself. After a lot of coffee, a lot of tears, and a lot of hard work we both started getting some sleep. Even still, I thought, there has got to be a better way. There has to be other options than be a sleep deprived “mombie” or have your child cry it out, often leaving both parent and child frustrated. I became obsessed with the science of sleep. My curiosity expanded into a thirst to help other mom’s with their children’s sleep and I made the jump to get certified as a Pediatric Sleep Consultant.

In all honesty, I have no experience in business, marketing or entrepreneurship. Before becoming a sleep consultant, I was a Pediatric Mental Health Counselor at Children’s Hospital. Regardless, I allowed my passion for motherhood and my knowledge of pediatric sleep to take the reins and started this business that allows me to be at home with my own two children all while offering support for families in reaching their own sleep goals. I hope for my relationship with my clients to feel like “one mom to another, let’s figure it out together” type of relationship.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a business for me has been a combination of frustration, feeling of inadequacy, rejection and extreme pride all at the same time. I knew starting a business was hard work. I had no idea what to expect, therefore, I had no idea just how hard it would be.

I am passionate in what I do. I truly believe in it. And in all honesty, I don’t do it for the money, I do it because it is important to me. That’s what keeps me going most days.

I have a group of women entrepreneurs that I talk to over text almost daily. They are there for advice, support, or just to complain. I suggest other women who are starting their journey find their support in one way or another. Girlfriends, business partners, meet up groups, where ever. Find support, and give yourself grace.

What should we know about Sleepily Ever After (Pediatric Sleep Consulting)? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant. I help families with meeting their children’s sleep goals by customizing a step by step, easy to follow plan that is designed specifically for their child based on their child’s personality, age and parenting preferences. I offer one on one support along the way because I know that the follow through is the hardest part. I can help with children from the newborn stage through the elementary years in learning skills to sleep soundly.

What sets me apart from others is that, like my clients, I am also a mom of young children. I myself have a three and a half-year-old and a 15 months old. I am going through the same stages and hardships that my clients are going through. I know what it’s like to be where they are because I am in it with them. I feel compassion for their struggles in the same way I would a girlfriend of mine. I very much want their experience in working with me to feel like the support they are craving.

Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
What is working for others may not work for you. It’s hard not to compare, or to just follow along with what someone else is doing because it is working for them. To a large extent, you have to follow your gut, prioritize what is important to you, and take a chance.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sleepilyeverafter.com
• Phone: 720-545-3418
• Email: epp.marin@gmail.com
• Instagram: Sleepily.Ever.After
• Facebook: Sleepily Ever After

Image Credit:
Photography by Alyssum

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