Building a Business and Raising a Family: How Margot Nash Found Balance and Freedom in Entrepreneurship

What does it really look like to launch a startup while parenting two young kids? In Episode 2 of The Balancing Act, host Sarah Sheridan sits down with Margot Nash, co-founder and CEO of MindMetrix, to explore the messy, meaningful, and sometimes chaotic intersection of startup leadership and family life.

Margot’s journey is one that resonates deeply with high-achieving professionals rethinking how they define success and how much control they want over their careers.

From Eyeshadow to Assessments: Margot’s Unconventional Career Path

Margot’s career began in an unexpected place: the beauty counter at Estée Lauder. But a workplace personality assessment piqued her interest and changed her trajectory. Her fascination with people, behavior, and self-awareness eventually led her to a career in organizational psychology, then product leadership roles at startups like Grubhub, Hierology, and The Mom Project.

“I’ve always been drawn to roles that help me better understand people—and probably, in some way, myself.”

Now, as CEO of MindMetrix, a mental health assessment platform, Margot is transforming how clinicians and individuals use data to improve diagnostic precision in mental healthcare.

Launching a Business Out of Personal and Professional Need

The idea for MindMetrix came during a conversation with a Michigan-based psychiatrist who shared that nearly half of his patients had been misdiagnosed before reaching his practice. That shocking statistic, combined with Margot’s own journey through infertility and career burnout, lit the spark for a mission-driven business.

“I needed flexibility. I needed to be in control. Not just of my day, but of the work I was doing.”

With a clear problem to solve and a trusted partner in Dr. Young, Margot turned a highly specialized clinical process into an accessible tech solution. MindMetrix is now helping practices and individuals get faster, more accurate insights into mental health—something that’s long overdue in the healthcare space.

Lessons from a First-Time Founder

While stepping into the CEO seat came with challenges, it also revealed hidden strengths.

Surprising success: Margot, once shy and introverted, discovered she loves selling, especially when it’s a product she believes in.

Hard-won wisdom: Trusting herself earlier would have accelerated progress. “I’ve learned I had more answers than I thought. I wish I had leaned into that sooner.”

Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: Validate the problem before building the solution. It sounds obvious, but many startups skip this step and struggle to gain traction.

“The hardest—and easiest to miss—step in launching something new is making sure there’s a real problem to solve.”

Balancing Business and Babies: Real Talk from a Working Mom

With two children (ages 8 and 2) and a spouse who travels frequently for work, Margot’s household is high energy and high volume. The key? Letting go of perfection and embracing flexibility.

“Something’s always going to go to crap and that’s okay.”

Here are a few of Margot’s favorite working-parent survival hacks:

• Dress your toddler for tomorrow at bedtime: one less battle in the morning.
  
• Divide and conquer: Mornings are Dad’s domain; evenings are hers.
  
• Lean on your neighborhood network: Friends, neighbors, and carpool buddies are an essential part of the “village.”
  

Support at Work Starts With Empathy and Experience

As a founder, Margot prioritizes empathy in her company’s culture. She knows firsthand how tough it is to juggle client calls, board meetings, and pediatrician appointments. And she’s found that simply asking for help—whether from a team member or a neighbor—often opens more doors than you’d expect.

“People are more willing to help than we give them credit for. You just have to ask.”

Corporate vs. Startup Life: What’s Easier to Balance?

Interestingly, Margot finds more freedom and balance in her current role as CEO than she did in traditional startups, even though the responsibility is higher.

“I’m working more hours, but I have more flexibility. I get to decide what my priorities are.”

That autonomy, paired with meaningful work, allows her to be more present with her family and more fulfilled at work—a win-win few traditional roles offer.

---

 Key Takeaways:

• Don’t underestimate yourself. You probably know more than you think—and you’ll grow fast once you start.
  
• Validate your idea. Make sure the problem is real before building a solution.
  
• Build your village. Whether it’s neighbors, co-workers, or your co-founders, lean on others.
  
• Redefine balance. For many parents, flexibility and control are more valuable than fewer hours.
  

Listen to the full episode of The Balancing Act for more insights from Margot on launching a mission-driven company while navigating the rollercoaster of parenthood.