Shauna Sweeney, a former executive at Meta, was at the helm of global industry intelligence and marketing projects when her life took a sudden turn. Her father was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s—3,000 miles away—leading her into the “sandwich generation,” a term that describes people who are simultaneously raising children and attending to elderly parents.

Confronted with the challenges of managing her father’s care while respecting his desire to stay in his own home, Sweeney recognized a deficiency in the support system for family caregivers. That experience motivated her to develop tendercare, an AI-driven application aimed at transforming the caregiving process from a hectic, last-minute rush into a more organized and supported aspect of everyday life.

After launching tendercare in 2022 from her kitchen table, Sweeney has departed from her position at Meta to dedicate herself to the company full-time. She is also expanding her family—already a mother and stepmother, she’s now expecting another child—while balancing the intricate interplay of entrepreneurship and motherhood.

Although working mothers are often lauded for “doing it all,” the reality of creating a business while caring for a family is much more complex. We communicated with Shauna Sweeney through email to gain insight into scaling her company, managing her time, and the often-unseen mental burden that working mothers bear.

What inspired you to start tendercare?

tendercare is the resource I wished I had when I initially began caring for my dad. It’s a secure application that enables caregivers to store and access crucial information—whether at a doctor’s visit, in the ER, or during transitions—and share it with other family members and care providers. It also links users with reliable services in their vicinity.

Our objective is to alleviate the emotional and logistical burdens on families, empowering them to make informed decisions confidently, save time, and achieve peace of mind.

How do you manage growing a company while raising a family?

There’s a misconception about entrepreneurship that frequently disregards the realities of home life—particularly for women. One of my most significant insights is that my dual role as a mom and a daughter has equipped me with a unique perspective to create solutions with empathy.

That being said, I am extremely protective of my time. I structure my days to be fully engaged—whether I’m working or spending time with my family. I don’t attempt to balance both simultaneously. I guard both work and family time equally, throughout the week.

Scaling a business isn’t about clocking in more hours—it’s about staying anchored in your purpose and recognizing what deserves your attention at any given time. I adhere to the mantra: “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.”

Has motherhood helped you in your career—or vice versa?

Certainly. Being a parent imparts numerous skills essential for leading a team or managing a company. Trust, resilience, active listening, showing up even when you’re fatigued, maintaining composure in a crisis, being adaptable, setting an example, mentoring—these skills transfer seamlessly between parenting and leadership.

Also, let’s be straightforward—both require operating on very little sleep.

What do you wish more people understood about working moms?

We bear an unseen burden. What people observe on the surface—calendars, meetings, school pickups—is merely a fraction of what’s happening. There’s a consistent mental and emotional workload we’re managing.

It’s not a matter of lacking ambition—it’s an excess of responsibility. We aren’t merely multitasking; we’re multi-living. As the saying goes, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” But really, it should be: “Ask a mom.”

What advice would you give to other moms considering starting a business?

Don’t wait for approval—it won’t come. Your personal experience is an invaluable source of insight. Create something that addresses a problem you genuinely understand, and then test it.

And keep in mind, success doesn’t have to equate to scaling a massive enterprise. It can mean establishing something sustainable. Begin small, iterate frequently, and never underestimate the impact of momentum over perfection.

Any final thoughts?

We possess the ability to shape the world we desire—not just for ourselves but for our children too. If you notice something that could be improved, it likely can be. That issue might be waiting for you to address it.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.