Jodi Klaristenfeld Created A Community That Supports, Educates And Empowers Parents As They Navigate The Overwhelming Maze Of The NICU And Preemie Parenthood

I’m Jodi, and I’m the founder of FLRRiSH, a new resource for preemie families. I delivered my daughter at 28 weeks. After 77 days in the NICU, I realized what was missing from mine and my husband’s journey. So I created what I wish I’d had: a community that supports, educates and empowers parents as they navigate the overwhelming maze of the NICU and preemie parenthood.

What motivated you to become an Entrepreneur? Is having your own business what you always wanted?

My whole life’s trajectory changed the moment my daughter came into the world at 28 weeks and 4 days (12 weeks early). Becoming a mom is transformative for anyone, but in my case, I was totally unprepared mentally and physically. I became a medical parent overnight, and neither I nor my husband knew anyone who had been through a similar experience to ask for help.  Throughout those hours of kangaroo care cuddle sessions with my daughter, I would sometimes scroll through my phone looking for stories about other premature families and what their experience was like.  Unfortunately, I did not find much, and this realization only added to my feelings of loneliness and isolation. I also knew that I could not be the only parent feeling this way.  I knew pretty early on after Jenna came home from the NICU that I wanted to do something in the preemie baby and family space–I just wasn't sure what yet. It wasn't until I watched Jenna on a daily basis with therapists that I realized how fortunate I was to be able  to curate her team, and that I wanted to somehow  transfer this same feeling of gratitude and empowerment to other preemie parents. I wanted them to feel supported and educated so they could put their children in the best possible situation for success.  By and large, preemie parents are thrown into the thick of an incredibly stressful and overwhelming situation without anywhere or anyone to turn to for advice, assistance and support.  This was the initial spark in creating FLRRiSH.  

What advice would you give someone starting out or pivoting their career?

There are so many words of wisdom, but I think what resonates truest for me to tell others is the following: (1) Believe in yourself, even if others close to you don’t necessarily agree. You have a voice and a platform, do not be afraid to use it, even if it means asking for help. Help is a sign of strength, not weakness.  No one person can do it all. (2) If you find yourself repeatedly getting “no” answers, getting ghosted through email or just not getting any traction with your brand, keep at it even if you think you are going nowhere.  Chances are you are getting somewhere, it just takes longer than we all think. Reframing this through a different lens, this same hurdle  reiterates the power of resiliency. Keep knocking on the door even if no one answers.  Eventually there will be someone home. When Jenna was in the NICU, the doctors constantly reminded me that she needed time to grow and develop.  The same is true for business. We live in a world of instant gratification, but in truth, rarely does that happen when it comes to business.  

How did you get a mentor? Do you have any tips for people who are looking for one?

Before starting FLRRiSH, I had no idea that business coaches even existed.  I was part of a mom business group and I posted a few questions asking for some assistance.  The amount of feedback I received from women wanting to help me out was amazing.  That said, obviously, this advice was not going to come for free. The mentor I found is a wonderful human being who helped me iterate and tailor what I wanted to create. More than that, she has become a huge sounding board for any and all ideas and she has also become my dear friend. When looking for a mentor, it is extremely important to make sure you like this person and that this person likes you.  Chances are you are going to spend a lot of time together and you want to work with someone who “gets you, your business idea and who you clique with”.  It is such a personal decision and I highly recommend talking to a few coaches out there before identifying that person for you.

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