Meet Ariel Wan

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ariel Wan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ariel, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?

I grew up in a country far from extended family, where my parents and I learned early on that we could only rely on ourselves. There were no grandparents to help with school pick-ups, no cousins to gather with on holidays, no built-in community to fall back on. We made our way through each challenge with resilience, but also a quiet yearning for the kind of support other families seemed to have so effortlessly.

When I left home for college, I carried that same grit with me. I built my own path in a new state, far from the place where I grew up. Eventually, I married and started a family—again with no family around. I told myself I could handle it, just as we always had. But after my first child was born, everything shifted. Postpartum depression crept in quietly, then consumed me. I had never felt more alone.

Then I found a local mom support group—a circle of women who understood without needing me to explain. In that space, I was no longer invisible. I was seen, held, and reminded that asking for help isn’t weakness. It’s community. That group didn’t just help me through a dark season—it saved me.

When the pandemic came, much of that community disappeared. But the need to connect, to belong, to not walk through motherhood alone, only grew stronger. I knew what it felt like to have nowhere to go. I also knew what it felt like to be saved by a village of other mothers.

So I decided to build one.

The Mamas Network and Little Break were born from the belief that no matter where we come from, or what storms are raging outside—whether political, economic, or personal—mothers deserve a place to land. A place where they are supported, not just for their children’s sake, but for their own.

My generosity comes from a lifetime of learning how to survive without a net—and the profound gratitude of finally finding one. Now, I’m determined to make sure no mother has to do it alone.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m so excited about the impact Little Break and The Mamas Network are already having on families in our community. Every week, I hear stories that remind me why we started this — parents who finally have the space and support to thrive. One mom shared that having reliable care just down the hall gave her the confidence to take on more freelance work. Another parent said she’s been able to focus on launching a personal project she’s dreamed about for years. Some families have even told us that, with the balance and community they’ve found here, they now feel ready to grow their family. And time and again, I hear how meaningful it is to simply be around other parents who understand what it’s like — to not feel alone in this season of life. Seeing that relief and joy every day fuels everything we do.

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

Entrepreneurship, innovation, and fearlessness have shaped every step of my journey.

Entrepreneurship came naturally—not because I set out to be a business owner, but because I saw a gap that desperately needed to be filled. I learned that entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting something new; it’s about being deeply connected to a problem and refusing to accept that “this is just how things are.” My advice for anyone early in their journey is to listen closely to the pain points in your own life or community. The best ideas are born from lived experience and empathy.

Innovation came from necessity. When traditional systems and spaces didn’t work for parents like me, I had to imagine something that did. Innovation doesn’t always mean flashy technology or disruption—it can mean taking something simple, like community, and designing it in a way that meets modern needs. To grow this skill, surround yourself with people who think differently from you. Curiosity is the fuel for innovation.

And fearlessness—or maybe, more accurately, courage—was what kept me moving when things were uncertain. Starting a nonprofit as a mom with young kids and limited resources was intimidating. But I learned that fearlessness doesn’t mean the absence of fear; it means moving forward even when you’re scared. For those early in their journey, start small, take consistent action, and trust that clarity comes through doing, not overthinking.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes — I’m always looking to collaborate with people who share the same heart for community and support for parents. My hope is to open more Little Break Cowork locations across the United States and spread the joy, connection, and impact of The Mamas Network.

We’re especially looking to partner with moms who are community builders — those who already own or are planning to open a play café, family center, or gathering space for parents with young children. By joining forces, we can expand more quickly, bring in additional customers for your business, share revenue, and strengthen the local community together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://themamasnetwork.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themamasnetwork_a2
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themamasnetwork
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/themamasnetwork
• Other: https://littlebreak.org/

Image Credits

Ariel Wan