Meet Richelle Villalta

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

Richelle, thank you so much for agreeing to talk with us about a deeply personal and sensitive topic. Postpartum depression affects so many in the community and hearing from someone who has overcome PPD might help someone who is going through it right now. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience

My husband and I got married in the fall of 2019. It was one of those golden days when everything felt perfect—unaware that we were living in the calm before a storm. We had no idea we were celebrating one of the last “normal” weddings before the world would change forever.
Fast forward to March 2020. The world had just shut down, and while everyone was adjusting to a new reality, I found out I was pregnant with our first child. It should have been a moment of pure joy, but instead, I felt overwhelmed with anxiety. Looking back, that should have been my first clue that something wasn’t right. Perinatal anxiety had quietly moved in.

I wasn’t a pregnancy expert, but I knew enough to wait a bit before scheduling my first OB appointment. Even though the world had paused, my pregnancy hadn’t, and each day passed in a haze of uncertainty. My husband could only attend one appointment with me, masked and distant, and suddenly, this experience that I thought would be full of connection felt so lonely. A tiny baby shower, no hospital visitors—just isolation. It wasn’t what I had pictured, and I suppose I started sinking before I even realized I was underwater.

November 2020 arrived, and our daughter was born. I was on maternity leave, and we made the decision that I’d stay home with her. It should have been everything I had hoped for, but it wasn’t. Instead, I found myself home, alone, in a pandemic bubble, afraid to leave the house. A trip to Target felt like an impossible mission, and even a simple walk outside seemed terrifying. Each day blurred into the next, and I began to wonder—what’s the point?

I struggled through that first year, not realizing that I was battling postpartum depression. At my six-week postpartum checkup, all I got was a quick, “You’re good, here’s some birth control.” The entire appointment lasted 10 minutes, and that was it. No one asked how I was really doing. No one asked about my mind.

By March 2022, I hit a breaking point. My thoughts had turned from dark to downright terrifying. Rage consumed me, and I didn’t even recognize myself anymore. I was more than a year postpartum, yet I felt like I was sinking deeper. That’s when I finally sought help. I started therapy and was introduced to medication that helped pull me back from the edge.

But just as I was beginning to find my footing, I miscarried in May 2022. My grief was raw, but then in June, I found out I was pregnant again—this time with our rainbow baby. I wanted to feel nothing but joy, but instead, I was terrified. Not of having another child, but of the inevitable return of PPD. And sure enough, it came back, despite everything I’d done to try to keep it at bay.

Now, almost two years postpartum with our son, I can’t say that I’ve overcome PPD. I haven’t. Instead, I’ve learned to manage it. Therapy, medication, self-care, knowing my limits, and—most importantly—learning to ask for help. I talk about it now. I share my thoughts openly with those around me, and my husband does his best to support me when I feel overwhelmed.
Overcoming PPD isn’t a word I would use. It’s more about learning to coexist with it, to understand it, and to give myself grace on the hard days. I’m no longer scared of it. I know my triggers now, and I’ve built a support system to help catch me when I start to slip.

This isn’t a story of victory over postpartum depression. It’s a story of survival. Of learning to live with something that’s become a part of me. And that’s okay. I’ve made peace with it, and that, in itself, feels like a victory.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

During my battle with postpartum depression, I had moments of clarity—little sparks of inspiration that helped me see beyond the struggle. I had quit my corporate job to be home with my baby, which was a dream, but it also meant we were suddenly living on one income. The financial pressure hit hard, and I knew I needed to find a way to contribute while still being there for my family.

From early on, I realized the corporate world wasn’t for me. Something always felt off, like I was trying to fit into a mold that didn’t match my shape. Let’s be honest, I just hate being told what to do and when to do it. But it wasn’t until I left that path behind that I truly found where I belonged—entrepreneurship. It was a leap, but also, in some ways, the most natural step I could have taken.

I spent sleepless nights googling anything and everything that could help me work from home. That’s when I stumbled upon freelancing. After some research and a few months of diving into an online course about becoming a virtual assistant, I decided to take the plunge and start my own business. While on maternity leave with my daughter, I launched my business, and within four months, I was fully booked. That moment allowed me to officially say goodbye to corporate life and hello to a career that gave me both financial independence and the freedom to be with my children.

For the better part of a year, I balanced motherhood and business ownership in the most delicate dance. My daughter stayed home with me while I worked—during naps, while she played, and after she fell asleep at night. I took Zoom calls with her nursing in my lap and hustled in between diaper changes and story time. It wasn’t easy, but it was mine, and that made all the difference.

Eventually, I realized I needed help if I wanted to truly grow my business. I decided to put my daughter in daycare part-time, which was a huge step. It allowed me to focus on work during certain hours while still getting to spend precious time with her. When she turned two, we transitioned her to full-time daycare, and she thrived. This gave me the reassurance I needed to do the same for my son when he was born. I kept him home for the first 18 months, juggling both my business and motherhood in the same way, until he joined his sister at daycare. And now, with both of my kids thriving, so is my business.

I’m a freelance copywriter, marketing specialist, and CRM builder. I specialize in email marketing, blog writing, and social media posts. My journey wasn’t traditional—I didn’t have formal training in these areas, just an unrelenting drive to succeed. I’ve always had a “figure it out” mindset, and honestly, I believe anyone can do the same with enough determination. For me, it wasn’t just about building a business—it was about building a life for my family. Our dreams depended on it.

Beyond that, working gave me something to focus on outside of PPD. It became a form of therapy, a way to channel my energy into something positive. My business wasn’t just work—it was a lifeline.

Today, I’m proud to say I’m the owner of Sprout and Script, my freelance marketing business that blends two of my greatest passions—writing and plants. The name reflects my journey toward simplicity and balance. As a mom and an entrepreneur, I’ve embraced a minimalist lifestyle, finding joy in small things like tending to my plants and baking sourdough. My business, much like my life, isn’t flashy or complicated—it’s about doing meaningful work in a way that feels authentic to me.

I’ve had the privilege of working with clients from all walks of life—health and wellness coaches, therapists, small business owners, and more. Each project is an opportunity to help others grow, just as I’ve grown on this journey. And what excites me most is the realization that the only limits to my success are the ones I set for myself.

Sprout and Script is more than just a business—it’s a reflection of who I am, where I’ve been, and the life I’m building for my family. It’s simple, grounded, and true to my heart. And that, to me, is what makes it special.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Stop Following the “Rules”
The first lesson that hit me hard was that all these so-called “rules” of social media, marketing, and networking—well, they’re just noise. They’re the product of a group of people who decided, “this is how it’s supposed to be.” But I’ve never been one to follow rules for the sake of it. If anything, my goal became to break as many as possible. Why? Because none of it really matters. We’re all out here trying to figure out our own way, and sometimes, to do that, you have to toss the rulebook out the window. It’s freeing, honestly. There’s so much pressure to fit in, but I found power in realizing I didn’t need to. If you’re just starting out, don’t let the rules cage you in. Learn them, sure, but don’t be afraid to smash through them if they don’t serve your goals. You get to make your own rules.

2. Utilizing Your Network
Starting a business is terrifying—there’s no sugarcoating that. But what scared me even more was announcing it to the world. It felt like stepping into a room full of people with a spotlight on me, saying, “Hey, I’m doing this.” It’s vulnerable, and that vulnerability is what connected me to others. When I put myself out there, I realized I wasn’t alone. I started meeting other freelancers, and before long, they weren’t just colleagues—they became friends. We began sharing leads, and opportunities, and supporting each other’s journeys. The power of referrals is real. So, here’s my advice: don’t be afraid to shout about what you’re doing. Share it with pride and confidence. Your tribe will find you. And those who don’t care? They’ll come around when they realize they need you.

3. Freebies
Here’s the thing about starting a business: you don’t need a ton of money to make it work. I started my business with $0. Zero. And even now, I could run it without spending a dime. The internet is a goldmine of free resources. YouTube, email lists, beta programs—there’s so much you can learn without dropping a cent. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to buy the latest course or the fanciest tools. I promise you, with a little resourcefulness, you can learn almost anything for free. Take advantage of it. Be hungry for knowledge, be scrappy, and trust that you can build something incredible without breaking the bank.

If you’re just starting, my advice is this: trust your instincts, build real connections, and never underestimate the power of what’s freely available to you. You’ve got everything you need to succeed already within you—you just have to be brave enough to use it.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

The number one challenge I’m currently facing is balance. It’s something I wrestle with every day, trying to manage being a mom(human and dog), business owner, wife, and the person who keeps our home running smoothly. The weight of all these roles is heavy, and sometimes it feels impossible to find the space I need for myself amid it all.

Right now, my kids are in daycare part-time, which gives me three days to focus on work. And in those three days, I try to pack in everything—work projects, appointments, running errands while I’m blissfully kid-free for a few hours. But on the days my kids are home, I want to be present for them. I want to be fully engaged, not worrying about emails or deadlines or taking a meeting in between diaper changes and nap times. Yet, despite the boundaries I set, things slip through the cracks. I can’t always keep business and home life separate, no matter how hard I try.

Balancing everything is a constant challenge for me and my business. But I’m learning. My goal has become simple: when my kids are home, I focus on home. That means taking them to their appointments, cleaning the house as best as I can with toddlers underfoot, doing laundry (which my 4-year-old loves to help with), prepping dinner—just being present and trying to include them in my day-to-day as much as possible.

And when they’re at daycare, I go into full work mode. I time block my days, keep my head down, and push through. If I have appointments, I try to squeeze them into the early mornings or late afternoons. I’ve realized that by dedicating those daycare days to work, I’m able to give my family the attention they deserve on the days they’re home. It’s not perfect, but it’s what works for me right now.

Balancing it all isn’t easy, and it never will be. But I’ve found that time blocking, setting boundaries (even when they get tested), and leaning on support is how I manage. We don’t have family nearby, so it’s just my husband and me. And honestly, we’re a great team. He steps up when I need it, and I do the same for him. I couldn’t do this without him by my side.
Balance is a journey I’m still on, and it’s one I’m navigating day by day, with a lot of grace and patience for myself. Plus, I’m sure once I figure it all out, our schedules will change. Kindergarten is coming up quick for my four-year-old.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://msha.ke/richellevillalta
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sproutandscript/

Image Credits

Carina Fleckner Photography – https://www.carinaflecknerphotography.com/
Jenna Jennings Photography & Events – https://www.jennajenningsphoto.com/
Alexus M Photography – https://www.instagram.com/alexusm.photography/