Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carly Church. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Carly, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Let me tell you about one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken—buying a FIT4MOM franchise just a few months into the pandemic. You can imagine, I’m sure, how everything felt completely uncertain at the time. We were in the midst of lockdowns, people weren’t gathering, and businesses everywhere were struggling. But there I was, a mother of three little ones at home, looking at this opportunity to take on a franchise that thrives on in-person community and fitness.

Everyone told me it was crazy to buy a business then, and honestly, part of me agreed. But I believed in the mission of FIT4MOM—connecting and empowering mothers. I couldn’t let the uncertainty hold me back. I knew it was a risk, especially with the kids at home and the world essentially shut down, but I took it on. And let me tell you, it was not easy. There were moments when I thought I’d made a huge mistake. With three young children demanding my attention and a business that had lost 75% of its clientele due to the pandemic, it felt like everything was on the verge of collapse. But I’m not someone who gives up.

Instead of letting it dissolve, I dug deep and embraced the grit I had developed as both a mother and an entrepreneur. I worked long hours, adapted to the new normal, and slowly but surely began to rebuild the business. I refused to let those challenges define me, and through a combination of online programs, Zoom classes, and sheer determination, I was able to keep FIT4MOM going.

That experience taught me resilience and forced me to reevaluate how I could help more women like me who were juggling motherhood and business. That’s when “We Got You Mama” was born—a community dedicated to supporting moms st every age and stage of motherhood. When you become a mother, you are a mother for life and we need to support through all of it. From pregnancy to partenting adult childen. It became my passion to create spaces where women could thrive. My goal is to create meaningful connections between moms and experts, as well as with each other, ensuring they have the support they need at every stage of their journey

From there, I expanded even further with the creation of the Hello CEO Luxury Retreat. It’s an exclusive experience for women entrepreneurs, designed to help them leverage their business potential in days not decades. These retreats provide hands-on support, luxury settings, and the tools to launch and grow businesses in ways that took me years to figure out.

Looking back, taking that risk felt monumental, but without it, I wouldn’t be here today, helping other women transform their businesses and lives. Taking that leap opened doors I never could have imagined. And though it wasn’t easy, the journey has made me stronger, more resilient, and more connected to my purpose. I have learned that stepping outside your comfort zone is where the real growth—and magic—happens.

Carly, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For those who may not know me, I’m Carly Church. I’ve spent 25 years in the entertainment industry, working as a model and actor, while deeply studying the art of acting. Alongside my career, I’ve faced personal challenges—struggling with anxiety, depression, and ADHD, which was only diagnosed three years ago. These experiences have made me a strong advocate for mental health, particularly maternal mental health. As a mother of three, I understand the weight that mothers carry, both emotionally and mentally, while trying to balance their own well-being with raising a family.

In addition to my background in entertainment, I took a major leap into the business world by purchasing a FIT4MOM franchise a few months into the pandemic. The odds were stacked against me, but instead of letting the uncertainty stop me, I leaned into the grit and determination I had built through both motherhood and mental health struggles. I rebuilt the business, learning valuable lessons about resilience and the power of surrounding yourself with the right support systems.

This led to the creation of We Got You Mama, a business that provides support to mothers in all aspects of life, and then Hello CEO, a luxury retreat designed to empower women entrepreneurs. My mission is to help women, especially mothers, not only in business but in life—because I know firsthand how critical it is to address both your professional and mental health needs in order to truly thrive.

What sets me apart is the fusion of my experience as an entertainer, a mother, and an entrepreneur who has navigated life with ADHD and mental health challenges. I offer my clients a full spectrum of support—mental, emotional, and professional. My goal is to help women build businesses that align with their life’s purpose, while making sure they have the tools, community, and mental health support they need to live with fulfillment and joy.

I’m incredibly proud of the communities I’ve built and my ongoing advocacy for maternal mental health. I want women to know they’re not alone in their struggles, and that with the right systems and support, they can create a life and business that brings them peace, success, and connection.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I’d love to share the story of how Ruthy and I met, we co-founded “Hello CEO”—it’s truly one of those “meant to be” moments! We first crossed paths at a mastermind event in Puerto Rico, both of us there with big dreams and passions for our businesses. From the moment we connected, we knew there was something special about our shared vision. Our energy just clicked, and we realized that we both had a deep desire to not only grow our own ventures but to support other women in doing the same.

Two weeks after that trip in May, Ruthy and I found ourselves in Barbados together for a VIP business experience. This was where the magic really happened. We spent countless late nights talking, brainstorming, and “birthing” what would eventually become our business. It wasn’t just about building a business—it was about creating something that would genuinely make an impact for other women entrepreneurs. We poured our hearts into those nights, fueled by excitement and passion, and by the end of it, we knew we were onto something incredible.

That experience solidified our partnership, and we’ve been on this journey together ever since, building a business that’s all about empowering women to leverage their strengths, launch their dreams, and make a meaningful impact.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Absolutely. One of the biggest pivots in my life and career came from my experience in the entertainment industry, which I’ve been a part of for 25 years as a model and actor. I’ve always known it to be a challenging field, with highs and lows, but nothing could have prepared me for the seismic shifts that came during the pandemic. The entertainment world, like so many industries, came to a grinding halt. Productions stopped, opportunities vanished, and the industry as a whole was forced to change dramatically.

Then, as we were slowly getting back on our feet, the writers’ strike hit, followed by the SAG strike, making what was once an incredibly difficult industry feel nearly impossible. The already unpredictable nature of acting and modeling was compounded by these strikes, making it harder to sustain a steady career that could support a family. As a mother of three, I realized I couldn’t rely on the entertainment industry alone to provide the kind of stability I wanted for my family. It was heartbreaking to think that the industry I loved so much was becoming less and less viable for long-term success

I’ve always loved the art of acting—it’s something that’s deeply ingrained in me. The craft, the storytelling, the connection with an audience—that’s what has kept me passionate about it for over 25 years. But the industry itself, with its unpredictability, has been a different story. I love this form of creating, but I had to acknowledge that the entertainment industry, especially during the pandemic and the strikes that followed, wasn’t a stable place to build a long-term career that could support my family.

That said, the skills I’ve gained through acting will always be a core part of who I am and what I do. The ability to connect with people, speak confidently on stages or in front of cameras, and collaborate with other creatives are invaluable in any field. Whether I’m giving a speech, doing a news interview, or creating new projects with other visionaries, I’m bringing those skills with me. They help me in my business ventures, particularly with Hello CEO and We Got You Mama, where communication, creativity, and collaboration are key to helping others grow and succeed.

Acting may no longer be my primary career, but the lessons I’ve learned and the strengths I’ve developed through it continue to guide everything I do today.
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That’s when I knew it was time to pivot. I took the lessons I’d learned from the entertainment industry—resilience, creativity, and hard work—and applied them to a new venture. I bought a FIT4MOM franchise during the pandemic, which felt like another major risk, but it was the perfect time for me to lean into something that I could control and grow. And then, as I rebuilt FIT4MOM, I realized there was an even bigger opportunity to help mothers and women entrepreneurs like me.

This led me to create We Got You Mama, a business that supports moms through the challenges of motherhood and business ownership, and eventually Hello CEO, a luxury retreat for women entrepreneurs to launch and scale their businesses. That pivot wasn’t just about survival—it was about creating something sustainable that aligns with my passion for empowering women. I took the unpredictability of the entertainment industry as a sign to broaden my horizons, and it led to something even more meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wegotyoumama.com
• Instagram: @we.got.you.mama

Image Credits

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