Meet Lindsay DeOliveira

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

Hi Lindsay, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?

I didn’t understand the depth of empathy until I became a mom. Before that, I felt invincible, like I could handle anything life threw at me. But the moment my daughter was born, my entire perspective shifted. I saw how fragile life really is, and how suddenly, everything mattered more.

I wasn’t prepared for how intensely I’d care. Not just about her, but about everyone’s kids, about families, about the world she’s growing up in. It was like the Grinch moment, my heart didn’t just grow, it cracked wide open.

Loving something that deeply gave me a new lens. I started seeing people differently. I understood fear, joy, and exhaustion in a new way. I realized how much we’re all just trying to protect what matters most.

That shift, into someone who feels more, notices more, and cares more, is what shaped my empathy. And it’s that version of me I want my daughter to grow up watching.

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 the founder of Soothe Beginnings, a baby brand born from the chaos and desperation of new motherhood. I had Postpartum Depression and Anxiety. My daughter had reflux and colic, and nothing seemed to help, especially not the pacifiers on the market. They were either unsafe, poorly designed, or didn’t work for her. I remember thinking, Why is this so hard? That moment became the start of a much bigger mission.

Today, Soothe Beginnings is a safety-first, PFAS-tested, plastic-free pacifier brand built for modern parents who want peace of mind and products they can trust. Our hero product is a 3-in-1 Pacifier Starter Kit, designed to help parents figure out what their baby actually likes—without the guessing game or buying a dozen different pacifiers. It’s made from eco-conscious, dishwasher-safe materials and includes three interchangeable nipple shapes.

What makes this brand so special is that it’s not just a pacifier—it’s a tool to help parents feel more confident. We batch-test every production run for safety, offer a nipple replacement subscription so parents never forget, and educate families on things most baby brands won’t talk about, like mold risks, choking hazards, and finger entrapment.

What’s new? We just launched custom engraving options and released a Pacifier Weaning Guide, plus a children’s book called Patty the Pacifier’s Big Adventure, which helps toddlers transition away from the pacifier in a positive way.

I’m also working on expanding our expert-led content, because I believe that safety should be the convenient choice, and that starts with honest, accessible education. Soothe Beginnings is more than a product—it’s a promise to do better for parents and babies.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three things that made the biggest impact on my journey were:

1. Healthy delusion.
You have to believe in your idea a little more than makes sense, just enough to fuel the momentum. That kind of conviction is what gets you in the room, gets the pitch deck in front of an investor, and helps you move through all the self-doubt. But it has to be balanced. You also need to stay open to feedback, especially the hard kind. The goal is to be just delusional enough to go for it, but grounded enough to grow from what others are telling you.

2. Saying yes to things you normally wouldn’t.
Networking events, pitch competitions, even awkward coffee chats, they can be uncomfortable, but they open doors you didn’t know existed. Some of my most pivotal opportunities came from moments I almost said no to. If you’re early in your journey, say yes more often. You don’t have to be “ready,” you just have to be willing.

3. Knowing when to say no.
Time is your most valuable asset. In the beginning, I thought I had to say yes to every podcast, every meeting, every opportunity. But not everything is worth the time. If it doesn’t align with your goals, doesn’t move the business forward, or drains you more than it fuels you, say no. Protect your priorities, because energy spent in the wrong place has a real cost.

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 open to partnering with people who share the same commitment to safety, transparency, and supporting families. I especially love collaborating with experts in the baby space: lactation consultants, pediatric therapists, doulas, sleep coaches, and other trusted voices that parents turn to for guidance. If you’re passionate about safe, smart baby products and love educating or empowering parents, let’s connect.

I’m also open to media and podcast features, boutique retail partnerships, and thoughtful brand collabs that align with our values of safety-first, sustainability, and evidence-based care.

If you’re reading this and feel like we’d be a good fit, I’d love to hear from you! The best way to reach me is by email at connect@soothebeginnings.com or through Instagram @soothebeginnings.

Let’s make safety the convenient choice together.

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Image Credits

Mary Otanez Photography

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