Beginnings matter: The moms behind startup founders

Children share Mother's Day messages, reflecting on their mothers' influence. One recalls their mom as a professional pool player who practiced every night, instilling the idea that hard work leads to being the best. Another recounts their Baka's journey from Serbia to the US, not speaking English, jobless, and alone, as an example of overcoming hardship. This taught them to tackle difficult tasks. A child attributes their love of research to their scientist mother, remembering collaborative science fair projects. They also recall crashing a car and their mother's calming reaction, fostering an environment for risk-taking and success. Another child learned emotional regulation and persistence from their mother, comparing it to nursing and showing up consistently. The mother's entrepreneurial spirit inspired them to run their own business. A memorable lesson came from a pool tournament where the mother explained her loss by stating her opponent practiced more. These experiences collectively taught them to embrace challenges and pursue their passions.