Supporting Mom Entrepreneurs: A Conversation with Michelle Marikos on how she provides help for moms with chronic pain and ADHD
Updated: 4 days ago
Welcome to our first post of our "Supporting Mom Entrepreneurs Series". I'll be having a conversation with Michelle Marikos a mom entrepreneur who helps support those with chronic pain and ADHD.
In this series I'll be interviewing mom entrepreneurs with different businesses. You'll be able to see into their lives and businesses and find encouragement, support and inspiration to keep moving forward in your own mom entrepreneur journey.
Michelle and I met at The Chicago Planner Conference. She is a sweet, fun person, with a bubbly personality. After we had talked for a while, we both realized that at the heart of our businesses, is our desire to help others. So we agreed to keep in touch and to be an asset to each other and our businesses.
When I had the idea to start this blog series, I knew I had to have an in depth interview with Michelle. I know so many of us mom entrepreneurs suffer from some type of chronic pain or ADHD and I knew Michelle Marikos would be able to provide some help for us all.
(This conversation will be a question and answer style interview with my questions in bold type and Michelle's answers underneath.)
Supporting Mom Entrepreneurs and Help for moms with chronic pain and ADHD - A conversation with Michelle Marikos
What’s your name and the name of your business?
My name is Michelle Marikos, and I run Moving Through Chronic Pain.
What do you offer and who is it for?
I provide education, support, and training for people living with chronic pain, as well as their healthcare providers. We bridge the gap between patients and providers, helping both understand what effective pain management looks like. I also train peer support specialists to work specifically with individuals experiencing chronic pain.
How long have you been a mom entrepreneur?
I’ve been balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship for several years, using my personal and professional experiences to build a business that truly makes a difference in people's lives.
How long has your current business been operating?
Moving Through Chronic Pain has been growing and evolving for several years. The work I do has been a passion of mine for much longer, but I’ve been formally operating in this space for quite some time.
Tell me what got you into this business?
I live with chronic pain myself and spent years navigating the healthcare system, searching for real, compassionate solutions. After going through my own journey of recovery, advocacy, and education, I realized there was a massive gap in support for people like me. That’s what inspired me to create Moving Through Chronic Pain—so others don’t have to feel lost or alone in their journey.
What keeps you going in this business?
The people. The patients who feel seen for the first time. The providers who gain a better understanding of their patients. The peer support specialists who step into this field with lived experience and a drive to help others. Knowing that I’m part of something bigger—something that is actively changing lives—is what keeps me going.
What is your favorite thing about what you do?
I love seeing the moment when someone finally feels understood. Whether it's a provider realizing how they can better support their patients or a person living with pain realizing they’re not alone, those moments make it all worth it.
Why did you want to collaborate with the Biz Mom Planner Company?
I believe that organization and planning are essential for success, especially for moms running businesses while balancing everything else in life. I love the idea of working with a company that understands those challenges and provides tools to help make it all a little easier.
What makes Mom Entrepreneurs special?
We are some of the most resilient, adaptable, and creative problem-solvers out there. Moms know how to juggle multiple responsibilities, pivot when needed, and keep pushing forward even when things get tough. We build businesses with passion and heart, often with the goal of making life better for our families and communities.
Favorite type of planner?
I love a planner that combines structure with flexibility. Something with space for goal-setting, scheduling, and reflection, but also room to adjust when life inevitably happens.
(Note from Tiffani: Our "Work & Life" Planners have the perfect blend of structure and flexibility with lots of space to adjust as your life changes. - Check out our planners HERE)
What is your favorite way to plan/organize for the week?
I like to do a Sunday evening reset where I map out my top priorities for the week, schedule key tasks, and make sure I have time carved out for self-care and family. Having a clear but flexible plan helps me stay focused and avoid overwhelm.
How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I have one son, Mika, who is 4.5 years old.
Tell me a little more about you as a mom.
Being Mika’s mom is the greatest joy of my life. He is curious, full of energy, and teaches me something new every day. My experiences with chronic pain have shaped how I parent—teaching Mika the importance of self-advocacy, balance, and empathy. I try to show him that even when life is challenging, we find ways to move forward with purpose.
Since becoming a mom, I have also been diagnosed with ADHD, which comes with its own set of challenges alongside living with chronic pain and running a business. It has made me even more aware of the importance of structure, flexibility, and self-compassion. Some days, my brain and body don’t cooperate the way I’d like, but I’ve learned to adapt, create systems that work for me, and embrace the strengths that come with how my mind works.
I also have an amazing support system in my husband, Jared. I truly couldn’t do any of this without his love, patience, and support. Whether it’s stepping in when I need extra rest, encouraging me when things feel overwhelming, or just being there to remind me that I’m not alone in this journey, he is an incredible partner in both life and business.
How do you find Mom life, business life balance?
It’s always a work in progress! I remind myself that balance isn’t about perfection—it’s about prioritization. Some days the business needs more of me, some days my family does. I set boundaries, give myself grace, and lean on support systems when needed. Having ADHD has also meant I need to be extra mindful of time management and avoid burnout, so I use planning tools, reminders, and accountability to help me stay on track.
Any tips for other mom entrepreneurs?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and don’t feel guilty about setting boundaries. It’s okay if things don’t always go according to plan—adaptability is your superpower. If you have ADHD or another challenge that affects your organization or focus, experiment with different systems until you find what works for you. And most importantly, take care of yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Having a strong support system—whether it’s a partner, friends, family, or a community of fellow moms—makes all the difference.
How can other mom entrepreneurs find your business and support you?
You can find Moving Through Chronic Pain on our website, social media, and through our training programs. If you're a fellow mom entrepreneur who wants to support our mission, sharing our work, connecting us with others in the chronic pain or healthcare space, or simply reaching out for a conversation is always appreciated!
In Conclusion:
I want to say thank you to Michelle Marikos for being our first mom entrepreneur in this series. Please subscribe and follow along as we interview more mom entrepreneurs in the future.
From the beginning Biz Mom Planner Company has always wanted to support busy moms and mom entrepreneurs not only with our planners and stationery but also with other resources, support and community. I hope you found that in this blog post and will continue to find it in our future posts as well.
Please check out our beautiful small batch hand made planners and notebooks made especially with you in mind. And please go visit Michelle's website to learn more about how you can get support with your chronic pain or ADHD or better support someone else who is going through this.
-Tiffani
PS: Save these pins to your Pinterest Board for a quick easy access to come back to this post anytime you need!
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