We recently connected with Kimmy Suaer and have shared our conversation below.

Kimmy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Yes, I’m happier as a business owner but a big part of that is because it allows me to be a stay-at-home mom. The decision to leave the corporate world and stay home with my kids came first. Starting a business was an unexpected next chapter that grew out of my desire to have an identity and purpose beyond my role as a mom.

Do I ever think about what it would be like to go back to my “regular” job in human resources? Of course. It’s usually when I’m answering customer messages while watching my kids at the pool, assembling orders with chaos unfolding around me or juggling my kids’ busy schedules during a surge of orders.

There are definitely days when I miss the human interaction and a predictable paycheck. But even on the chaotic days, I wouldn’t trade it. Being able to build a business while also being present for my kids is something I don’t take for granted. I love that I can drop my kids off at school, attend daytime events and be there for all the little moments while also pursuing something that’s entirely my own.

The reality is that I’m not just running a business. I’m running a business while raising three kids and supporting a fellow entrepreneur husband who works long hours. Some days that feels incredibly rewarding and other days it feels overwhelming.

But overall, I’m happier because I have the flexibility to prioritize my family, pursue my entrepreneurial goals and play lots of pickleball.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I’m Kimmy, a mom of three and the founder of 2+3=WE. My journey into entrepreneurship was completely unexpected. After leaving my corporate Human Resources career at Boeing to become a stay-at-home mom, I quickly realized that while I loved being home with my children, I also craved a creative outlet and a sense of purpose outside of motherhood.

That’s when 2+3=WE was born.

Today, my business creates personalized activity kits, snack boxes, care packages and holiday gifts designed to help families celebrate special moments, make memories and keep kids happily entertained along the way. Whether it’s keeping children occupied during a long road trip, delighting little wedding guests with a personalized activity box or sending a homesick camper a thoughtful surprise from home, my products are designed to make life easier for parents and more fun for kids.

What sets 2+3=WE apart is the personal touch behind every order. Each box is hand-lettered, personalized and thoughtfully curated by me. As a mom of three children ranging from 6 to 14 years old, I have firsthand experience with what captures a child’s attention at different ages. That perspective allows me to carefully select age-appropriate activities, games, fidgets, toys and treats that encourage creativity, imagination and screen-free fun.

At its core, my business solves a simple problem: parents are busy. Whether they’re preparing for a trip, a wedding, a summer camp send-off or just looking for a meaningful gift, I create convenient solutions that save them time while still feeling personal and special.

What I’m most proud of is the role my products play in family memories. Customers often tell me about peaceful road trips, excited campers receiving care packages or children lighting up when they receive a box created just for them. Knowing that something I made helped create those moments is incredibly rewarding and serves as a constant reminder of why I started this business in the first place.

I want people to know that behind every 2+3=WE order is a real mom who understands the joys and challenges of raising kids. Everything I create is inspired by my own family and designed with the goal of helping other families connect, celebrate, and create lasting memories together.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think the biggest factor in building my reputation has been creating products that solve real problems because they were inspired by my own experiences as a parent. Many of my best-selling products were born out of situations I personally encountered, whether it was preparing for family travel, finding meaningful gifts for children or looking for ways to keep kids entertained at a wedding.

I also believe that personalization and attention to detail have played a major role. Every order is hand-lettered and thoughtfully curated which helps customers feel like they’re receiving something truly special rather than a mass-produced product.

Beyond the products themselves, I’ve built a strong connection with my audience by showing up authentically online. I share both the successes and the realities of running a business with ADHD while raising three children and I think customers appreciate seeing the person behind the brand.

Most importantly, I focus on creating an exceptional customer experience. Many of my customers discover my business through word-of-mouth, repeat purchases or referrals from happy customers. As a small business owner, I know that every order represents a family trusting me with an important moment and I work hard to make sure I deliver an amazing product.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson I’ve had to unlearn is the belief that I can make everyone happy.

In both my HR career and my personal life, I was very much a people pleaser. I wanted everyone to have a positive experience and I often went out of my way to avoid disappointing others. When I started my business, I carried that same mindset with me. If a customer had a complaint, a special request or needed an item on a very tight timeline, my instinct was to say yes and do whatever it took to make it happen.

Over time, I realized that trying to please everyone wasn’t sustainable. No matter how much effort you put into your products or customer service, it’s impossible to meet every expectation or accommodate every request. In some cases, saying yes to one customer meant creating more stress for myself, my family or even other customers.

I’ve learned that great customer service doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. It means being clear, consistent and doing my best to create a positive experience while maintaining healthy boundaries. What surprised me most was that setting boundaries didn’t hurt my business, it actually made me a better business owner. It allows me to focus on serving my customers well while also being present for my family, rather than trying to be everything to everyone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://2plus3equalswe.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2plus3equalswe/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2plus3equalswe

Image Credits

Lily Notz Photography
Lauren Nygard Photography