Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lindsay Lehrer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lindsay , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
The question, “What is my life’s purpose?” is one I believe evolves over time. It is something we constantly question. Am I doing what I was meant to do? Am I living my best life? Am I properly serving my family, friends, and community? Am I doing enough?
For a long time, I thought I was living my life exactly as I should. I can still remember the moment I felt everything was perfect. Like many, my life changed dramatically around the time of COVID-19. But let me start from the beginning.
I was raised in what I consider a very traditional family—a hardworking father, a deeply involved mother, an older brother, and a dog. My mother wasn’t just present; she was everywhere. She was my Girl Scout leader, the weekly “hot dog mom” at my Catholic elementary school, and the backbone of our family and friends. She was a constant support system—not just for me, but for everyone who knew her. My mom was a soundboard, a keeper of secrets, and someone who felt an unshakable responsibility to shield those she loved from life’s hardships.
When it came to life decisions—big or small—I didn’t just run them by my mom; she had the final say. What college to attend, where to work, which wedding dress to wear, where to live, how many kids to have, and whether or not to work after having children. Not because she was controlling, but because she genuinely believed that if she could solve life’s obstacles for the people she loved, life would be smooth sailing for them.
In February 2020, my husband, our three kids, and my parents were sitting together, enjoying Dole Whip at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Life was good. We were financially stable, loving our jobs, and everyone was healthy. It was a moment of perfection.
Little did we know, the entire world would shut down two weeks later. My mom, the one who had always carried the burdens of others, would soon be carrying a secret of her own. And my entire sense of self—what I was doing with my life—completely changed.
Like everyone else, we were suddenly surrounded by uncertainty—our children’s schooling, our jobs, the health of our family and friends. We put on brave faces for the kids, but behind closed doors, we cried and panicked in secrecy. I created a daily homeschool routine to give my children a sense of normalcy. Meanwhile, my parents weren’t seeing the kids because “it wasn’t safe.” I was balancing my job as a business analyst at a large mortgage company, while my husband, who worked in the medical field, had to strip down in the laundry room and shower immediately after coming home. Some children treated ours differently because their dad could “bring the virus home.” The sadness on my kids’ faces was unbearable.
I knew I had to do something. I had no idea how long the isolation would last, but I needed to solve for their exclusion and sadness. And what makes people happy? Puppies.
I called my husband out of the blue and said, “Honey, we’re going to foster dogs, okay?”
His response: “Ummm… kkkkk.”
He knew exactly what he was getting into when he married me. And I couldn’t be more grateful that I married a man who loves me for who I am—quirks and all—rather than trying to change me.
As time passed, I saw my parents less and less, and my husband became my rock in ways I never expected. He was my soundboard, the person who helped me navigate uncertainty, and the one who reminded me that love is something you feel most deeply in difficult times.
In December 2021, a casual conversation with two friends at work led me to start an Instagram account, FrugalFamilyofFive, sharing budget-friendly meals. My mom was my biggest cheerleader. In early 2022, she told me, “You keep this up, and one day, I see you having your own cooking show. Not just because of the recipes, but because you are bold, funny, unfiltered, and beautiful.”
I rolled my eyes. “Every mom is supposed to say that to their daughter.”
She paused and said, “Please don’t belittle how special you are.”
But she was pulling away. By spring 2022, she was avoiding the kids’ concerts, dance recitals, and sports events. I told myself to give her time. She would come around.
On June 3, 2022, I showed up unexpectedly at my parents’ house. My mother looked weak, sick, her skin orange. My dad took me outside and, with tears in his eyes, said, “Lindsay… your mom is dying.”
She had been battling metastatic ovarian cancer in secret for nearly two years. When I confronted her, she said, “At this point, in what little life I have left, it is not about everyone else. This is about me. For once, I am going to put myself first.”
Seventeen days later, on June 20, 2022, she took her last breath.
I was lost. I isolated myself, took a leave from my job, and felt consumed by grief. One day, my daughter found me crying on the bathroom floor and whispered, “Mom, you’re going to be okay. I have you. We will be okay.”
My husband, always my steady support, reminded me, “Your mother wouldn’t want this for you.” And he was right.
In September 2022, I returned to work. Slowly, I started posting on Instagram again, but FrugalFamilyofFive no longer reflected who I was. I changed the name to Mom’s Dinner Bell—a tribute to the woman who taught me the power of home-cooked meals and deep conversations around the dinner table.
In July 2023, I was offered a buyout from my long-time corporate job. After much reflection, I realized my children needed me. Just as my mother had always been there for me, I needed to be there for them. So, after 18.5 years, I took a leap of faith.
While my kids were at school, I poured my energy into Mom’s Dinner Bell, with a mission to help families prioritize homemade meals and quality time together. If I could show parents that simple, home-cooked meals could save time and money, maybe they wouldn’t have to take on that second job. Maybe I could help families—just as my mom had helped ours.
By December 2023, my audience had grown to 12,000 followers. By April 2024, I reached 25,000. But more importantly, I had found my voice. I openly shared my grief journey, embraced authenticity, and created meaningful content that aligned with my values.
Five years ago, I never could have imagined the life I’m living today. My purpose has evolved, just as life does. We often become so focused on where we think we should be that we overlook the beauty of where we are. The small moments—the laughter over family dinners, the deep conversations, the unexpected opportunities—those are what shape us.
So, what is my life’s purpose? It is to be present. To embrace the detours. To cherish the people who walk alongside me, even if only for part of the journey. It is to cultivate and nurture the love, support, and lessons my mother gave me, and to share them with others.
Because in the end, life is not about reaching a specific destination. It is about the experiences, the lessons, and the love we collect along the way.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am the creator behind Mom’s Dinner Bell, a platform and brand dedicated to helping families prioritize homemade meals and quality time together. My journey started as a simple Instagram page, where I shared budget-friendly meals and grocery shopping tips. Over time, it evolved into something much more meaningful—a way to connect with families who, like mine, prioritize time together with the people you love around the dinner table.
Right now, I’m focused on getting my 200+ recipes uploaded to my website, ensuring parents have a dedicated space to find quick, delicious, and realistic meal ideas. I know firsthand how chaotic weeknights can be, and my goal is to make dinnertime less stressful and more intentional. If I can help even one family spend more time together instead of stressing over what’s for dinner, then I know I’m fulfilling my purpose.
I’m also collaborating with brands that align with my values—those that believe in family, authenticity, and the power of home-cooked meals. For the first time in my life, I feel like I’m in a space where I can truly be myself, sharing my love for food, my personal journey, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Whether it’s through my recipes, social media content, or brand partnerships, my mission remains the same: to inspire busy parents to reclaim dinnertime and create lasting memories with their loved ones. We need togetherness, especially our children. The mental health of our next generations need to feel loved, listened to, and that we have time for them.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. The importance of authenticity. People want to see real moments, hear real stories. This creates the ability to create genuine connections and a close community. The advice I would give is to stop striving for perfection. Not only is it not necessary, perfection does not create connections, realness does. It also gives people hope.
2. Just do it. And go all in 100%. I was so incredibly scared to leave my job after 18.5 years, but my purpose at that moment did not feel right anymore. I didn’t feel like I was where I was supposed to be at that moment, for me, my children and my husband. I realized that I was in the “worst case scenario.” By doing status quo I was living my ‘worst case scenario’ in my current life situation. So I decided to take a leap of faith, and try something that filled my bucket. My advice is to take that chance but don’t call it a hobby. Don’t belittle what you are doing. And make sure you go in 100%.
3. Stop focusing on the final destination and enjoy the journey. Make sure every day you find at least one moment you can enjoy. Whether it’s kissing your dog, seeing your dog smile, hearing your mom’s voice, or seeing the sun shine. This helped me get out of the depression of losing my mom. Each day I needed to find a way to refocus on something beautiful that happened each day.
4. (an extra bonus one) Your perspective is your reality. If you believe you are going to have a bad day you will have a bad day. If you believe you will fail, then guess what, you will fail. But if you believe you will be happy, you will be happy. And if you believe you will find success, then you will find your success. Be careful what you tell yourself.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
If you had asked me five years ago, I would have said my mother—without hesitation. She was an incredible human being, and her love was all-consuming. She carried the weight of the world for those she loved, solving problems before they even reached me. But looking back, I realize that while she provided unwavering support, she didn’t necessarily help me overcome challenges—she shielded me from them.
The person who truly helps me navigate life’s challenges is my husband. He doesn’t solve my problems for me, but he lifts me up when I hit rock bottom. He encourages me to share my struggles rather than hide them behind a facade of perfection. He loves me because of my imperfections, not in spite of them, and he stands by my side no matter what.
I now see the difference. My mother’s love was protective; my husband’s love is empowering. While they both provided support in their own ways, my husband has helped me grow into a stronger, more resilient version of myself—for my family, for my children, and for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.momsdinnerbell.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsdinnerbell/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075781189723
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-lehrer-483380104/
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