Alyssa Rapp: How One Mompreneur Does It

Alyssa Rapp’s bio is impressive. She’s the founder of Bottlenotes (which she sold), serves as the managing partner of AJR Ventures (a firm providing strategic advisory services to companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500s in the technology, beverage and luxury goods categories), was named in Inc. Magazine’s “30 Under 30” coolest entrepreneurs in America, is an athlete (track, yoga, boxing, skiing) and is the mom of two.

Yeah. That’s a lot.

And we get sooo sick of the “how do you do it all?” question that so many women get.

But, seriously: how do you do all that?

We recently got to ask Alyssa that, plus so much more and her advice and experience isn’t just inspiring — it’s honest and smart.

How did you come up with the idea for your company?

The idea for AJR Ventures was really nothing I came up with — more like fell into. When transitioning from Company 1 to whatever comes next, I knew I wanted to help a variety of companies and people push the ball forward in their businesses, strategically and in terms of implementation. So we’ve been doing that for a year. An outgrowth of some of these efforts may very well be my next company. We shall see.

How do you manage your time when it comes to being a mom, household duties, work, boxing and having fun?

Some of my closest girlfriends are extraordinary working women; they gave me great advice to outsource as much as you can around the house and that you have to give up one thing you like with each child to make room for all the quiet time you want to spend with that child. I think this is the right advice. As our little girls grow a bit older, I look forward to taking even more “kids-free” trips with my husband. At this point, we’re “in it to win it” in the early years. 🙂

What duties do you outsource?

As many as possible. House cleaning + house-related repairs and maintenance (Task Rabbit), some dinners (Blue Apron + Plated), and ALL grocery shopping (Instacart)!

What’s your morning routine like?

Girls wake up circa 6 a.m., we play for an hour, and I work out from 7:10 to 8:10 a.m. Monday through Friday. Weekends we sleep in, make breakfast (crepes and waffles are family favorites), then head on a run or a hike or a swim play date or otherwise depending upon the time of year/what we’re all up to.

What’s your evening routine like?

Get back from work between 5:45 to 6 p.m., sit with girls while they finish their dinner, play for an hour, sometimes dance or sing or watch a show, bath circa 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m., bedtime routine of books, etc., circa 8 p.m. Thereafter, my husband and I try to relax or work more on our laptops when not traveling for work, etc.

How do you de-stress and how often do you try to de-stress?

I use exercise as my main de-stress tactic. I have been trying to get into the Headspace app this year; doing so in fits and starts.

How did you get involved with boxing?

My dear friend and workout buddy introduced me to it when one of our coaches left town for a year to train with various professional tennis players. We swapped an interval training day for boxing. I love it.

What’s your go-to workout when you don’t have a lot of time?

Hill sprints — ideally on a real hill, or worst case, the “terrible 10s” on the treadmill (10 incline, 10 speed, 10 seconds on, 10 seconds off, 10 times, as many rounds as one can handle … )

Do you have a personal mantra that keeps you motivated and sane?

“Give life the best you have and the best will come back to you.”

And … since you are the founder of Bottlenotes: Favorite wines?

Most rosés! Other favorite “dinner party” wines this month to enjoy : Aubert 2011 Chardonnay and 2008 Domaine Drouhin Chassagne-Montrachet.

Which piece of that interview resonated with you? Give it your best and the best will come back to you? Love that. I also clearly need to outsource more without the guilt. And that “terrible 10s” workout? It sounds so terrible I actually want to try it. Ha! —Jenn