As part of the Morning Lazziness series about empowering women who encourage and do incredible things with their ideas in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Helen Curran.
Helen Curran, Chief Marketing Officer of Dr. Talbot’s Mom, is a passionate advocate for maternal health who is driven to empower pregnant and postpartum women. Inspired by her journey as a mother, she understands the challenges firsthand and is committed to creating innovative solutions that make motherhood easier and more enjoyable.
With extensive experience in international sales and marketing, Helen has worked with both entrepreneurs and blue-chip organizations across Spain and France. Her background includes leading brand transformations and creating new market spaces. Notably, she held positions at Tommee Tippee and Berghaus, where she honed her marketing expertise. She also founded Sportee Mommee, a brand for active mothers, driven by her frustration with the lack of support in the market.
At Dr. Talbot’s Mom, Helen has spearheaded the launch of the MilkFresh app, a revolutionary tool that utilizes cutting-edge technology to track the freshness of stored breast milk. She believes that “when mom is cared for, baby is cared for,” a philosophy that underpins the brand’s mission to make pregnancy and postpartum life healthier, happier, and easier.
Helen’s vision and dedication have made her a pioneer in the field of maternal care. She strives to create a future where the well-being of mothers is prioritized, ensuring they have the resources and support they need to thrive. Her journey serves as an inspiration to women seeking to make a difference in their industries while embracing the complexities of family life.
Here’s what we found out about Helen’s daily routine, followed by an exclusive Q+A.
What sparked the idea for Dr.Talbot’s Mom?
I had wanted to launch a postpartum range for a long time, since my own venture into postpartum sportswear years earlier. Then one day almost 2 years ago, one of the directors was chatting to me about the postpartum opportunity and said he wanted to look at postpartum products. A week later I started preparing a business case. Two months later I got a resounding yes to go ahead and set up Dr Talbot’s Mom.
As a woman navigating the business world, what challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenges I have faced in my career have come from false perceptions around being a woman. It was even more challenging when I became a mother. Fortunately, enormous progress has been made over the years but even now there is still a long way to go to reach fairness and respect for all women.
The way I overcome these restrictions is to keep moving forward regardless of the challenge. There is usually always a way if you are creative, resilient and stay focused on your goal.
How do you balance the demands of running a business with maintaining a healthy personal life?
I can’t remember a time when sport hasn’t been a part of my life. I try to exercise every day even if it’s only for 20 minutes. I usually do it first thing in the morning before business starts. I find that if I don’t do it then I usually struggle to squeeze it into my day.
Which networking strategies have most effectively built meaningful connections within your industry?
I am not strategic in networking. It’s probably one of my weaknesses. I don’t consciously set out to build connections. I prefer to gravitate towards people that inspire me and are uplifting to be around.
How do you approach mentorship, and how has it shaped your entrepreneurial path?
I like to listen and learn from the experience of others. I take mentorship from people of all ages and backgrounds. I’ve learned lots from athletes and athletic coaches in particular over the years.
What strategies have worked best for selling your products and reaching your ideal customers?
Having good distribution is important. Being visible on shelf and online works well for us but nothing beats recommendations from mom to mom.
Which marketing techniques have been most successful for your business, and how do you track their performance?
It varies depending on the product and the consumer need. Some items are impulse purchases that sell well in store and work well on promotion, some are highly considered and require lots of education, some are purchased under distress and so on. For each item we are led by the consumer and their purchasing behavior. We track sales, costs and the return on our advertising spend on a weekly basis.
Can you share a significant setback in your business journey and the steps you took to overcome it?
During my career, there have been times when I’ve realized I would have to leave my role to progress my career. I always find it hard to walk away from a role I have emotionally invested in, especially when I don’t know what the future holds, but looking back, those setbacks have turned out to be the best pivots in my journey.
What’s the most important advice you’d give to women just starting their entrepreneurial journey?
Find a good support network. Get backing emotionally and financially. Plan well but stay open and adaptable. Most importantly, believe in what you are doing and commit to your vision.
Is there a mantra or quote that guides your actions and decision-making as an entrepreneur?
Keep going until someone stops you.
