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It has arrived! This ParentPreneurs Book Launch is getting REAL!

My copy of our book ParentPreneurs arrived in the mail this weekend. We made the announcement a couple weeks ago and, as usual, most people have looked at Brian and me like we have 3 heads and asked how in the world we had time to do this. Once I held it in my hands [...]

It has arrived! This ParentPreneurs Book Launch is getting REAL!2022-07-18T11:47:00-04:00

Top 10 Reasons I Have Fallen in Love with the Macaroni Kid Community (and maybe you will too!)

During the first few weeks of CertifiKID’s acquisition of Macaroni Kid, I was completely overwhelmed by all the challenging issues I wrote about in this blog post, while being laser focused on where I felt improvements were needed. I made my lists, timelines, and strategies. Time has since passed and I have finally been able [...]

Top 10 Reasons I Have Fallen in Love with the Macaroni Kid Community (and maybe you will too!)2020-10-07T09:33:47-04:00

Pandemic Pivot – Making an Acquisition in the Middle of a Pandemic – Crazy Like a Fox or Just Crazy?

This past month, I have learned that buying a business is a lot like buying an old house. You walk in and instantly fall in love. You see a few things that could use a touch up here and there, but can't believe you found it and that it is going to be yours. Then [...]

Pandemic Pivot – Making an Acquisition in the Middle of a Pandemic – Crazy Like a Fox or Just Crazy?2020-10-08T09:25:39-04:00

Pandemic Puppy Therapy: 8 Ways a New Puppy Has Changed My Family, My Business and My Life

I am the last person you would ever think would get a dog. My parents still tell the story about how, as a child, I let the neighbor’s dog out while we were watching it and it ran away. I am not sure what it is, but dogs just never clicked with me. Yes, [...]

Pandemic Puppy Therapy: 8 Ways a New Puppy Has Changed My Family, My Business and My Life2020-04-27T09:52:23-04:00

A Long Weekend Girl’s Trip to Panama City, Panama – Advice & Tips Included!

I promised myself I would write this blog because when I was researching Panama (and I am referring to Panama City, Panama - not the US city), there was so little information and virtually no blog posts out there about things to do and see for a weekend getaway to the city. It took a [...]

A Long Weekend Girl’s Trip to Panama City, Panama – Advice & Tips Included!2020-03-12T14:34:28-04:00

Reflections of the Past Decade

As CertifiKID heads into our tenth year, I’ve been reflecting on the significance of all that has happened over the past decade, both personally and professionally. I started 2010 as a new, confused and tired mom who felt very blessed with so much, but under the surface, was also personally unfulfilled and had all of [...]

Reflections of the Past Decade2019-12-30T12:33:11-05:00

5 Ways to Stay Focused at Work

As I sit here writing this blog post, I fight the urge to check my email, Facebook, Instagram, text messages, and then go check the cupboards to see what snacks I can munch on. It can be very challenging. However, if I can stay focused for just an hour straight, boy can I crank work [...]

5 Ways to Stay Focused at Work2019-10-24T11:59:39-04:00

Should I Be a Stay At Home Mom or Work? A Decision Threaded By Mom Guilt!

  There is a topic I have been thinking about lately and felt the need to explore it as time has gone by since I made this decision 12 years ago. It occurred to me as I was running one morning listening to Lauren Conrad's new podcast. She had a guest on who had written [...]

Should I Be a Stay At Home Mom or Work? A Decision Threaded By Mom Guilt!2019-08-20T18:48:09-04:00

A CEO Mom’s Daily Routine

Whenever I meet people, they always seem curious how I function with running a company and being a mom. I think I just keep the trains moving by constantly working and keeping life simple. Here is a true look into a weekday in my life..... 7am..... I do not start my morning meditating like many [...]

A CEO Mom’s Daily Routine2019-07-01T09:46:45-04:00

Mr. Wonderful’s Shark Tank Summit

There have been many moments in the past few weeks where I have pinched myself to make sure this is all real, and my experience at Mr. Wonderful’s Second Annual Shark Tank Summit was certainly one of them! Every year, Kevin O’Leary brings together all of his Shark Tank investments for two days of [...]

Mr. Wonderful’s Shark Tank Summit2019-05-06T10:32:33-04:00

Taking a Vacation Can Be Tough for a CEO…But So Important!

I just returned from Spring Break. This year, we took the kids to an all-inclusive Club Med resort in Cancun with another family and had a fantastic time. As much as everyone loves going on a vacation, as a business owner, I am always initially resistant and often hesitant to take one. The idea [...]

Taking a Vacation Can Be Tough for a CEO…But So Important!2019-04-24T08:13:40-04:00

Next Stop….’The View’!

Could it get any more crazy and exciting? Four days after our ‘Shark Tank’ episode airing, we headed to NYC to be on a special episode of ‘The View’ with our new partner Kevin O’Leary and the rest of the Sharks. Unfortunately, Mark Cuban couldn’t make it at the last minute because of a [...]

Next Stop….’The View’!2019-04-11T19:08:14-04:00

Shark Tank Fever – Two Weeks Until Our April 7 Airing – A Behind The Scenes Look

BRIAN RATNER AND JAMIE RATNER (CERTIFIKID) © 2018 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. It has been one week since I found out we would be on Shark Tank. I have never experienced anything like this week. My phone is buzzing every second from the time I wake up until I pass out at [...]

Shark Tank Fever – Two Weeks Until Our April 7 Airing – A Behind The Scenes Look2019-03-26T09:06:48-04:00

This is Really Happening – We Are Going to Be on Shark Tank!

For the past 10 months, I have been carrying around an enormous secret (no, I am not pregnant!). My husband, Brian, and I auditioned for Shark Tank last May and went out to LA to tape in September. We were not allowed to tell anyone about any aspect of the process, nor could my parents [...]

This is Really Happening – We Are Going to Be on Shark Tank!2019-03-18T15:49:46-04:00