When you’re about to become a mom, you expect a lot of things to change—your sleep schedule, your priorities, your capacity for love.

But what you don’t expect is to have to fight for the basic support you thought your workplace or government would automatically provide.

And yet, that’s exactly the experience so many women have when it comes to parental leave.

I know, because I’ve been there too.

In this week’s episode of the Self StartHER Podcast, I sat down with Linzay Davis, founder of Hello Bundle, a parental leave consulting agency helping families (and companies!) navigate the messy, often confusing world of paid leave. Her story is raw, real, and so needed—especially for moms building businesses or just trying to stay afloat in between pump sessions and preschool pickups.

Why This Conversation Hit So Close to Home

Not long ago, I found myself navigating pregnancy and a layoff at the exact same time.

I had no job, no plan, and no idea whether I qualified for any kind of paid leave. My first thought? “Welp… guess I’m out of luck.”

But after one conversation with Linzay, I realized just how much I didn’t know about my options. She helped me understand the patchwork of state benefits, job protections, and programs I could still access—even without a job. The result? I was able to take nearly a full year off (yes, paid!) and use that time to not only care for my new baby, but to build the foundation of my business.

This isn’t just Linzay’s story. It’s mine. And maybe… it’s yours too.

The Big Problem with Parental Leave in the U.S.

If you’re confused by parental leave, you’re not alone. In fact, that confusion is exactly what sparked Linzay’s business.

After experiencing a traumatic return-to-work postpartum, Linzay started blogging about how broken the system was. She quickly realized she wasn’t the only one struggling to find answers. That blog became a platform. And that platform became Hello Bundle—a consulting agency that now helps expecting parents, HR teams, and companies understand what’s available and how to access it.

Did You Know?

• Most U.S. parents don’t know what benefits they qualify for
• Many leave benefits are state-specific, and require advanced planning
• Even if you’re laid off, self-employed, or in-between jobs, you may still qualify for paid leave
• Lack of education around benefits leads to missed income and unnecessary burnout

How Linzay Parental Leave Turned Pain Into Purpose

One of the things I love most about Linzay’s journey is how she didn’t try to wait for a “perfect” business idea. She started with her own lived experience, a passion to help others, and the willingness to learn out loud.

She’s grown her business through community, conversation, and a whole lot of heart. In our episode, we talk about:

• How she moved from blogging to full-time consulting
• The red flags parents should look for when dealing with HR
• Why advocating for yourself is one of the most powerful skills a working mom can learn
• How social media became her tool for spreading awareness and educating thousands

What This Means for Mom Entrepreneurs

If you’re a business-building mom (or thinking about becoming one), this episode is your permission slip to pause, get informed, and advocate for what you need.

You don’t have to do things the way corporate culture says you should.

You don’t have to “power through” a postpartum fog.

And you definitely don’t have to do it all alone.

Linzay’s story is a reminder that there is power in knowing your rights—and there’s real business potential in building something that helps other women navigate what you once struggled through yourself.

Quick Takeaways

• Most parents aren’t using all their available leave benefits simply because they don’t know what they qualify for
• You don’t have to be employed full-time to qualify for certain state or federal programs
• Building a business from a place of lived experience = purpose-driven entrepreneurship
• Social media can be a powerful way to educate and grow a community
• Parental leave planning is not just logistical—it’s a powerful, emotional, and strategic decision

Want to go deeper?

🎧 Listen to the full episode with Linzay Davis here
👶 Visit Hello Bundle to get help understanding your benefits
💬 Know someone expecting a baby? Send them this blog or the episode—it could save them months of stress.
🌱 Ready to grow a business and life that actually supports you? Come hang with us inside the TogetHER Community