Whether it be via The Locality, NAWBO-GR, Ellevate, KNOW, Raleigh Chamber or anywhere in between, I meet lots of powerhouse women on a regular basis, but, from the very first moment I met Crissy Fishbane, I have been so impressed with how present she is in each interaction with others, caring deeply for the person with whom she’s interacting. Crissy explains that she’s passionate about every woman learning to love herself exactly as she is, but it’s more than that. Crissy cares about each individual feeling seen and heard authentically, making sure everyone is engaged, which is incredibly impactful. I know you’ll be equally impressed. Enjoy this peek inside the mind and heart of this absolute rock star!

Crissy Fishbane is a Certified Therapeutic Exercise Specialist, Personal Trainer, and Wellness Coach specializing in training postpartum women. She is also a Moms Supporting Moms peer facilitator and regular contributor to WRAL Go Ask Mom.

Crissy is happily married to her college sweetheart, Noah. After being together for almost 20 years they easily finish each other’s sentences and know exactly how to make the other laugh, which is important when you both work from home. They are the proud parents of a fierce yet sweet little five-year-old who loves pretty dresses, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and all things chocolate.

Crissy is passionate about every woman learning to love herself exactly as she is, flaws and all.

She enjoys being outside, working on DIY projects with her family, going on adventures with her young daughter, and traveling as often as possible.

First Friday Female Founder Feature:

Crissy Fishbane

How would you describe your company and the products / services you offer?

HER Health Collective is a supportive community and resource hub for moms, but, in reality, it is so much more than that. It is a family of non-judgmental mothers who are eager for genuine connection, authentic friendships, trustworthy resources and the opportunity to make a difference in their community.

We offer 10+ social events every month, volunteer opportunities and the means for moms to participate in a variety of advocacy efforts. Our panel of vetted experts provide trustworthy content and resources for moms. We also have an award-winning podcast, Mama Needs a Moment, that reaches parents worldwide offering engaging and authentic content on topics moms truly care about.

Why did you start your company?

My experience with postpartum anxiety was a big catalyst and personal motivation for the launching of HER Health Collective. During those early postpartum days, I consistently felt lonely, exhausted, overwhelmed and frustrated. I didn’t know where to turn for help. Eventually, I met my business partner, Cindi Michaelson, who, though at a different stage of motherhood, was experiencing all the same challenges and emotions. In fact, we quickly realized almost every mother we talked to was dealing with a similar experience. We knew we wanted to better support the moms in our community. We decided it was time to change the conversation around postpartum care and alter how mothers approach self-care.

Crissy with her co-founder of HER Health Collective, Cindi Michaelson

What has been the most rewarding part of your journey in founding this company?

Without a doubt, the most rewarding part of founding HER Health Collective has been getting a front row seat to all the genuine friendships that have formed between the mothers in our community. I myself have made lifelong friends and built an incredible network of support for me and my family. I know the work I am doing each day matters. It’s making a difference in hundreds of parents' lives and, in turn, impacting children and our community at large. That is incredibly rewarding to me.

About what are you most proud?

The growth our small business has experienced in less than three years has been astounding. We have received incredible support from the community, and I’m honored that we have been able to create so many fruitful partnerships with fellow business owners in the Raleigh area and beyond. I am incredibly proud of the HER community, and the work we put into building it.

Are you naturally organized, was it a skill you learned or is it something with which you regularly struggle, and what tips or tools do you use to stay your most organized?

I am one of those (annoying?) naturally organized, Type A kind of people. From the moment I learned how to write, I loved color-coded lists, calendars, agendas and everything in between. Organization is a key aspect of the work I do each day so it comes in handy. Google Calendar is essential for keeping my work schedule coordinated with that of my family. But, in general, I am old school. I love a paper and pen agenda, sticky note reminders, notebooks with lists and colored highlighters. I don’t know if I will ever change, no matter how many fancy, new apps I try.

Who’s the one person who changed your life, and why?

My partner. He believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. He’s supported me through my lowest lows and celebrated with me during my happiest moments. He has changed my life for the better in a million different ways, and I will always be grateful to him.

Group of HER Health Collective members at a recent event

What words of wisdom would you have for someone who is overwhelmed with staying organized and / or productive?

Two things: 1) Make a list - brain dump everything you have swirling around in your head and get it all out on paper; only then will your head be clear enough to tackle those top priority tasks. Regularly go through that list and prioritize items by importance. 2) Just start. Pick a task, set a timer for 20 minutes, and focus solely on that selected task. By the time 20 minutes have passed, chances are you will be in the zone, but, if not, you will feel good that you’ve at least made some solid progress.

Do you use technology to help stay productive or organized? If so, what’s your favorite program, app or tech tool?

Google Calendar is one of the main “tech” tools I use. We also use Later to schedule our social media and MailerLite to schedule our newsletters. I love batching content and am a huge fan of working ahead whenever I can. We use Canva almost every day to create event page and social media assets. Occasionally, I will also put a Pomodoro playlist on Spotify to keep me focused and on a timetable.

How do you feel about work/life efficiency or integration in your life, including any tips or challenges for managing the personal and professional commitments in your life?

To be honest, this is one area I still struggle with a bit. So much of my work blurs into personal time for me since I now consider so many HER members to be my own personal friends. I think the integration of my personal life with my work life is a beautiful blessing in many ways. Yet, I do need to be very intentional about putting work away at certain points during the day, namely when I’m with my daughter. Because of the nature of my work and the irregular hours of events and constant communication with members and community partners, I don’t have a set schedule. This has required me to make personal time with my family a conscious decision.

About what causes are you most passionate?

HER Health Collective has four key initiatives we aim to raise awareness and funds for throughout the year: Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders, equal access to maternal care, body image/ diet culture, and the Goddess Myth/ managing the expectations of motherhood. Each of these topics are important to me on a personal level and are issues that have a deep impact on the mothers in our community as well as society at large.

What have you found to be the most effective way to relax after a long day or super long week?

I am the queen of power naps. A good, 20-minute nap has the power to reset me like nothing else. On a larger scale, I’ve found that traveling brings me a great deal of joy and gives me something to look forward to during the normal day to day, and I usually (though not always) come back feeling recharged.

What is your favorite author/book?

Untamed by Glennon Doyle.

What is your favorite inspirational quote?

“Accept what is.” This is not a quote from anyone famous per se. It is a phrase that came to me as I was walking the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. It resonated with me on such a deep level and is something I have tried to incorporate into my life as much as possible since returning from that trip.

A few of the moms from HER Health Collective

What is your go-to accessory?

I am fairly minimalist when it comes to accessories. I have a necklace with two entwined circles that my daughter gave me for Mother’s Day. It never comes off. I recently started wearing the occasional hat to force myself out of my comfort zone. I also absolutely love a good pair of statement earrings!

What are the fundamentals of your beauty routine?

I have recently tried to embrace more clean beauty practices. Miceller Water to remove eye makeup, CeraVe facial wash, a face serum and moisturizer (these often change because I get bored and like to experiment) comprise my typical nightly routine.

What are your favorite foods?

Pizza and brownies. If I could travel the world writing up my experiences taste-testing pizzas and brownies, I absolutely would!

Of the locally-owned and -operated establishments in the place you currently live, which are your top 3 favorites and why?

Current Wellness - I love what they stand for within the body image / diet culture realm. I think Brit Guerin, the co-founder, is an incredible human that is doing so much good in our community. Plus, their classes are always amazing, and it is such a welcoming place. I love supporting Current Wellness whenever I can!

The Flourish Market - This is another local establishment that I love because of what they stand for and the incredible human that runs it, Emily Grey. I love the focus on shopping with purpose and recognizing that every purchase we make can have meaning behind it. I will also always be grateful to Emily for her support and mentorship through my entrepreneurial journey.

Little Doodles Play Cafe - What can I say? My daughter loves this place! I love that I can go and get a hot cup of coffee and get work done while my daughter plays. It’s always apparent that the owner, Jamie, cares about each kid that comes in, and I think that is pretty special, too.

What is your favorite place that you have visited?

Machu Picchu, Peru… It took my breath away.

Group of HER Health Collective members at a recent event

What streaming show or movie could you watch on an endless loop?

The Parent Trap, but it has to be the original one from 1961 with Hayley Mills (not the new one). I absolutely love that movie!

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Teleportation so I can travel anywhere in the world in the blink of an eye.

What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?

Know that you are enough. No matter what happens, how often you fail, whatever mistakes you make, how much someone hurts you… You are enough. Full stop.

If you could have lunch with anyone (living or deceased), who would it be and why?

Jay Shetty. I always receive so much value from listening to him speak or reading his work. I think his story is fascinating, and I would love to do a deep dive with him about his time as a monk. I think his practical approach to spirituality, living a better life, business, being a good human and everything in between really appeals to me, and I would just love to soak it all in. I have a million questions I’d love to ask him!

All about HER Health Collective

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