HER STORY ⟡ Erica Paulson
For the mamas & mamas-to-be: Meet Erica from Nurture!
Hi everyone!
My name is Erica Paulson, and I’m the cofounder and CEO of Nurture, a maternal wellness company in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Why I started
I started this work more than 20 years ago as a labor doula and childbirth educator while raising four young children. At the time, I wasn’t setting out to “build a brand.” I was doing work I cared deeply about while also trying to create a life that worked for my family. There were seasons where I was balancing motherhood and work minute by minute. Looking back, I think that experience shaped what Nurture has become. What started as one woman trying to balance meaningful work and motherhood has grown into a team and community centered around the beauty of the motherhood journey and genuinely cared for families during some of the most transformative seasons of life.
What I love about being a business owner
I love creating beautiful things that feel thoughtful, useful, and sustainably supportive. Building Nurture has allowed me to create the kind of care I think women are increasingly looking for: support that is personalized, relationship-based, and integrated into real life.
I also love the creativity of entrepreneurship. No two seasons are the same, and I enjoy building systems, ideas, and experiences that evolve alongside the needs of women and families.
What type of impact do you hope to have on those you meet and/or who experience your work?
I hope women feel more supported and less isolated. There’s so much pressure around pregnancy and motherhood right now, and many women feel like they’re constantly trying to optimize every decision. Sometimes what changes things most is simply having steady, grounded support from someone who truly understands and has the tools to provide the support you’re looking for.
Who or what inspires you?
I’m inspired by women who are willing to do things differently than previous generations — especially women who are creating lives that make room for both family and individuality.
At the same time, I’m deeply inspired by the women before us who carried enormous responsibility with very little support, recognition, or space for themselves. I think a lot of what women are reclaiming now was built on the sacrifices and resilience of those generations.
What is your favorite piece of advice you’ve ever received or favorite quote?
“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” — Coco Chanel
I love this because I think so much of womanhood is about peeling away expectations and returning to who you actually are. The women I admire most are the ones who become more fully themselves over time, not less.
What does BEAUTY mean to you?
To me, beauty is depth and authenticity. It’s when someone feels comfortable enough to stop performing and just be themselves. Some of the most beautiful moments I’ve witnessed have been in birth and postpartum spaces where women feel safe enough to be transparent about what they’re experiencing.
What advice would you give your past self just starting your business?
Don’t wait until everything feels polished to begin. Some of the best things I’ve built started from simply paying attention to what women actually needed instead of worrying whether it fit a traditional business model.
What would you like our Beauty Boost members to know?
Real support should feel accessible and personal. My team and I are deeply involved in every aspect of the care we provide. More than anything, I want women to feel that they belong here. Support should feel human, connected, and available.
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