What happens when life throws you cancer, a new baby, and a pandemic, all at once? If you’re Alexandra Rutkay, you build something beautiful anyway.
In this episode, Alex, founder of Citymouse, @citymouse_ny opens up about the chaos and clarity that came from facing a rare cancer diagnosis while navigating early motherhood in New York City. She shares how surviving the unimaginable inspired her to create a parenting brand that’s as stylish as it is practical and how an $8,500 investment turned into a seven-figure business in just two years, all while raising her kids and healing her body and mind.
Alex talks candidly about the messiness behind the highlight reel: finding strength in her support network, leaning into therapy, trusting her gut over business trends, and designing bags that help parents feel prepared and a little bit cool amid the daily chaos.
We dig into:
-
How she balanced chemotherapy appointments with playdates and prototypes
-
The behind-the-scenes of launching a brand from her living room
-
Why community and authenticity are non-negotiables in business
-
How fear can freeze us and what happens when we face it head-on
-
Her hard-won wisdom on time management, mental health, and creating real moments of peace
Alex’s story is proof that it’s never too late to start over, dream bigger, or do motherhood on your own terms, with a diaper bag you actually want to carry.
If you need a reminder that reinvention is possible (and worth it), this one’s for you.
We need your support: FOLLOW-LIKE-SHARE-REVIEW
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.