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 [...]
There are some clients you are just DYING to work with but the usual tactics of phone and standard email are just not working and you are feeling frustrated. Here are some creative and out-of-the-box concepts to get your juices flowing on how to break through this situation that we often confront. I have [...]
As we head into the New Year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect back on 2021. I recognize how challenging 2021 has been for so many of us. We entered the year feeling like things just had to get better from 2020. In many ways it did, but we also faced [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
I have always been a super healthy eater. I love fresh food, and especially love my vegetables. My kids love going to Chipotle because we can walk there from our house, it’s super quick, and they love the simple and basic menu. It is also a great deal at only $4.75 for a kids meal [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
When my kids came home 4 years ago saying they wanted to be in the school talent show, I racked my brain for ideas for them. Most of the kids at our elementary school tend to play instruments or do a song or dance. My kids were not interested in this and wanted to do [...]
I have always been a runner but once I started listening to audiobooks, it truly changed my life and made me look so much more forward to my daily run. I have always been an avid reader and love all sorts of books. Running gives me the ability to finally read again with my limited [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
What a WONDERFUL night! It is the morning after our airing and I am so overwhelmed I don't even know what to do. Between the airing, the party and the business side of it all, I feel like last night had to be a dream. I can't even begin to thank everyone for all [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
