Preparing to Pause: Navigating Maternity Leave as a Businesswoman and Co-Founder

There’s a strange kind of quiet that comes in the weeks before maternity leave. It’s not just the lull before something begins — it’s the tension of preparing to step away from something you’ve poured so much of yourself into.

Equitas is not just a business. It’s a movement, a mission, and in many ways, a piece of my identity. So, how do you step back from something that’s stitched into your every day?

There’s no HR template for this. No tidy handover file titled “How to Press Pause on Your Own Business”. Because maternity leave as a founder isn’t just about covering your role — it’s about shifting your mindset. That’s the real preparation.

Building Trust, Not Just Systems

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been doing what most women in my position do — planning, organising, delegating. Lining up content, putting structures in place, making sure the wheels keep turning on a foundational level.

But beneath the to-do lists and timelines, the real work has been internal. Letting go of the instinct to stay across everything. Reassuring myself that we have a team I trust. Knowing that stepping back doesn’t mean stepping away forever — it means creating space for others to step up.

This isn’t about letting go.
It’s about handing over with intention.

Reframing What ‘Productive’ Looks Like

For someone used to running on momentum, the idea of slowing down doesn’t come easily. My brain has always ticked along to the beat of progress — ideas, plans, actions, more plans - Spreadsheet anyone?!?!
Preparing for a period where I won't be “doing” in the same way has been… confronting.

But here’s what I’ve realised: this next chapter is just as purposeful. Slower, yes. Less visible, maybe. But no less valuable. Raising my daughters and their sibling (gender not yet known!) — being present for those quiet, formative moments — is the most meaningful thing I’ll ever do. That truth has, and will continue to, sink in.

Practicing What We Preach

Equitas has always stood for justice, fairness, and equity. And part of that mission means advocating for women to have the support and space they need — whether they’re stepping into the ring, the boardroom, or motherhood.

Maternity leave in our industry is still layered with challenges — unclear rules, inconsistent support, and often, an unspoken fear that stepping away means being left behind. I’m living that tension in real time. But I’m also committed to showing that taking this pause is not a weakness. It’s leadership. How myself, Shane and Muir lead Equitas during this time has the potential to be pivotal. One thing I know for sure is that they have my back (sometimes even more than I do!).

And who knows, maybe one day Equitas will write a "how to" on getting to the top of our field AND using equity to get there!

For Them, For Us

As I prepare to meet my new baby, I find myself thinking a lot about what I want my children to see. Not just in me, but in the world they'll grow up in.

I want them to know that strength isn’t just about pushing through — it’s about knowing when to pause. I want them to see women (and men!) leading with empathy, making room for rest, and owning their choices without apology.

So yes, I’ll be stepping back. But I won’t be stepping down. This pause is part of the journey. And I’ll return with a deeper sense of clarity, purpose, and fire than ever before.

Until then, I’ll be over here, preparing to expand on my biggest life project, one that doesn’t come with a launch date or press release, but it does come with little hands that need holding.

Stay Sound,

Sarah x