LightFull Lady–Catherine Chapman
Meet Catherine Chapman, mother of four and co-founder of YourOnRamp.com, a website for professional women re-entering the workplace. Learn how she juggles career, family and health to find balance in her life.
Q. Tell us how you brought YourOnRamp.com to fruition.
A. I had spent 15 years in financial services and left my corporate job when my 4th child was born. After 4 years at home I tried to re-enter the workforce, but was frustrated by the resources available for women looking to get back in. I met my business partner Millie Froeb and we bonded over our passion to create a site for women looking to OnRamp.
We launched YourOnRamp.com last spring and response to our site and job board has been tremendous. We love what we’re doing. Employers are really embracing flexibility in the workplace and we’re thrilled to be part of this movement. We’re also really excited to be hosting our first in-person and interactive event on November 5 featuring keynote speaker Dr. Sylvia Ann Hewlett, author of On-Ramps and Off-Ramps, Keeping Talented Women on the Road to Success.
Q. With children ages 16, 14, 10 and 4, is it a challenge to find activities to do as a family given their diverse age range and interests?
A. Having kids in high school to preschool, they definitely do it all – from ballet, cross country, lacrosse, skiing, acting, soccer. This year my junior is looking at colleges and my 8th grader is applying to high schools, so we have those activities too. Skiing, however, is our family sport. We have a home in Tahoe and spend every weekend there from Thanksgiving through April. Skiing has kept our family close. Our older 3 kids ski competitively on the Sugar Bowl race team. How many families do you know with teenagers that spend all weekend together 5 months a year?
Q. What do you do when you want to reward yourself?
A. A great yoga class is a treat for me. If there were more hours in the day I would practice everyday. I practice both Bikram and Power Flow, which are both physically demanding. I love the focused, zen feeling I have when I leave a yoga class. I also make time to spend to with my girlfriends – “girls night out” are really important!
Q. Can you describe a time when you felt out of balance and how did you get back on track?
A. I was out of balance when I chose to leave my finance career. I was Managing Director at a big firm. I had a lot of flexibility but didn’t feel I was doing my mom job or my corporate job well. I took time off to stay home full time with my kids and this time at home really helped my prioritize what I wanted to do next. My advice to other women is to first, take care of yourself. If you’re not happy no one else will be. Outsource what you can without guilt (cleaning, gardening, childcare). Prioritize and don’t sweat the little things.
Q. If you could leave the world/your children with one gift, what would it be?
A. Life is short. Live in the moment and find a career you’re passionate about.
