Celebrating the Strength of Mothers & Female Founders this International Women’s Day

If you’d asked me 10 years ago where I saw myself today, I don’t think I could have imagined this life. I’m Aliza Carr—a registered midwife, mum of two, founder of Bumpnbub, and proud owner of Franjos Kitchen. Every part of my career and motherhood journey has been shaped by one core passion: supporting mums. And if there’s ever a day to stop and honour the incredible strength, resilience, and power of women—today is it.

From Midwife to Business Owner: Why I Took the Leap
For as long as I can remember, my heart has been in the world of motherhood. All I ever wanted, was to be both a mum & a midwife. I was 15 years old the first time I witnessed birth (a family friend) and from that point, I knew that it was my life path. As a midwife, I’ve stood beside countless women & families in their most vulnerable and powerful moments, welcoming life into the world, navigating the fourth trimester, and finding their footing in the wild ride of motherhood. It will always be the greatest job and honour of my life. 

Bumpnbub grew quickly into not just a business, but a personal brand and a beautiful community. Through that, I had thousands of conversations with mums and I kept seeing the same issue - dehydration was impacting every single stage of motherhood. Morning sickness, pregnancy exhaustion, low breastmilk supply, birth (and even higher rates of intervention due to dehydration), energy levels, toddler wrangling—you name it. And when I looked for something natural I could confidently recommend to mums, there was nothing out there that truly ticked all the boxes. That’s when I went to Fran and Jo with an idea—a nourishing, all-natural hydration product, loaded with vitamins, minerals, prebiotics and more, designed specifically for mums.

My work with Bumpnbub gave me a space to connect directly with tens of thousands of mums, but it was through that collaboration with Franjos Kitchen that something truly clicked. Helping to develop the Motherhood Hydration Powder back in 2021 showed me just how much I love creating products that genuinely support mums in the thick of it. So when the opportunity came to take over Franjos Kitchen in mid 2023, it felt like the most natural next step—to not only continue Fran and Jo’s legacy, but to evolve it into something even bigger. Every product we create, every piece of content we share, all comes back to the same goal: to nourish, educate and support mums through one of the biggest transitions of their lives.

Juggling Motherhood and Business
Some days feel smooth—like I’m nailing both work and mum life. Other days feel like complete chaos, and I’m just treading water. That’s the reality of being a mum and business owner. 

I’m not a huge believer in work-life balance if I’m honest. I chased the idea of it for so long and recently concluded that there are seasons for everything, & that’s okay. I also think mums superpowers are being incredible at multi-tasking. This morning I found myself breastfeeding, whilst brushing my teeth and simultaneously putting on a load of washing on - the hustle of mamahood!

I’m incredibly lucky to have a supportive team at Franjos and a partner who steps up when I need to step back. But what’s helped the most is understanding that being a great mum is also showing my kids that you can follow your passion while still showing up for your family.

The Challenges of Being a Mum in Business

There’s no sugar-coating it, running a business while raising babies is tough. The hardest part? That constant internal tug-of-war between being the mum my kids deserve and being the business owner my brand needs. But on the flip side, I am someone who thrives whilst being busy, juggling a million things at once and if I am honest, I personally find the stillness that postpartum often brings - quite challenging. 

Being the customer of my own brand has also been my biggest blessing. I am the tired mum who was up all night feeding. I am the mum who is dehydrated & only ate her toddler's toast crusts for breakfast. Creating products that support mamas in this season will always motivate me even through the most tiring days. 

Lessons I’ve Learned Along the Way

• Passion fuels resilience - when you truly believe in your ‘why’, you’ll keep going even when it’s hard.

• Done is better than perfect - the learning curve is steep so launch, adapt and listen to customers. 

• Listen to your gut - motherhood has taught me how to do this. It feels like a superpower but it has helped guide me immensely! 

What Female Empowerment Means to Me
For me, female empowerment means equal rights, opportunities and support—for all women and girls, at every stage of life. It’s about ensuring that every woman, no matter her background, her choices, or her circumstances, has access to the tools, knowledge and community she needs to make confident, informed decisions about her body, her family, her career, and her health—without judgment.

At Franjos Kitchen, this belief runs deep. Whether a mama chooses to breastfeed, pump, formula feed, or a mix of all three, we are here to nourish and support her—without bias or guilt. True empowerment means respecting every path and ensuring women have access to evidence-based information, so they feel seen, heard, and equipped to make the right choices for themselves and their babies.

This year’s theme—For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment—feels particularly important to me as a mum raising both a daughter and a son. Empowerment isn’t just about the here and now—it’s about what we are teaching the next generation, the values we’re passing on, and the kind of world we want to leave behind. I want my daughter to know her voice matters, her choices are her own, and that she can lead and succeed without sacrificing her identity or her wellbeing. And I want my son to grow up understanding that equality benefits everyone and that strong, empowered women create stronger families, businesses, and communities.

My Advice to Women Wanting to Start a Business
- Just start. You don’t need a perfect plan.
- Find your people—whether it’s a mentor, a fellow business owner, or a group of women cheering you on, community is everything.
- Know your ‘why’—because when things get tough (and they will), that’s what will keep you going.
- Be adaptable—business is a constant evolution, and being open to change is key.
- Most importantly—back yourself. You are capable of more than you think.

Nutrition Tips for Mums

It’s so easy to put yourself last when you’re a mum, but fuelling yourself is part of caring for your family. My top tips:

• Stay hydrated (especially if you’re breastfeeding). We know dehydration leads to brain fig, tiredness, headaches and more. I’m all about keeping a big water bottle loaded with Motherhood Hydration Powder next to me day and night. 

• Focus on nutrient-dense foods—whole grains, healthy fats, and protein will keep your energy up.

• Protein is your postpartum best friend—whether it’s eggs, nuts, or a quick smoothie.

• Snack smart—life’s busy, so having good snacks (like our Franjos Kitchen lactation cookies that are actually good for you) on hand is a game-changer.

• Be kind to yourself—some days will be balanced and healthy, and some days won’t. That’s okay.

This International Women’s Day, my hope is that every woman—whether she’s a mum, a business owner, or both—feels seen, valued, and reminded of her incredible strength. We are powerful beyond measure, and when we support each other, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.

Happy International Women’s Day, mamas.