22-07-2025
Why Family Life Deserves A Seat At The Table: Considerations For Leaders
Yulia Fedorishina is an entrepreneur with an MBA, a mother of three and the CEO and cofounder of Ribambelle.
In today's society, I'm finding there is a growing divide between two worlds: one where life is curated for adults without children and another where families with kids are searching for belonging in a culture increasingly designed for success, beauty and leisure—absent of children. Many of the 'exclusive' places and events—luxury restaurants, trendy bars, theaters, concerts, exclusive clubs and cultural venues—are not kid-friendly.
Family-focused places may not be the most profitable, nor the fanciest. That's why I've found many businesspeople avoid them. Still, I believe families with children deserve quality, sophistication and enjoyment like everyone else. Yet, environments centered around luxury and success seem to often exclude children.
Making A Case For Family Inclusivity
I myself was a finance consultant sitting in a nice office, working 14 hours per day, going to the fanciest places and meeting incredibly talented people—until I decided it was time to have my first child. I was eager to add that meaning to my life and had no idea the cost at which this deep meaning would come. Life flipped overnight. I worked up until the last week before I delivered, and then a week after, I found myself alone with my baby, walking in the park, meeting other lonely and lost young mothers.
All my friends continued their busy lifestyles. We moved farther from the city center to have a large green space nearby—a decision I regret in hindsight. After a few months, I decided to take my baby and go to a fancy restaurant, like the moms on social media seem to do so effortlessly. My friends chose a place that had no child chairs, the bathroom was too small to breastfeed and I was too shy to breastfeed in public. I left early. When I got back to the car, the battery was dead. I had forgotten to switch off the lights. It was winter and snowing. And there was no Uber at the time. I got the full experience. For the next few months, I didn't want to go out alone with my baby.
Later, I returned to the office—only to see how inefficient everything really was. People were taking coffee breaks and long lunches, holding chats and cigarette breaks and working endless hours. I, however, wanted to do everything fast, early and go home. I realized how inefficient I used to be and how much I valued my time. That was the moment I decided to change my life.
I decided to pursue my Master's of Business Administration, a long-standing dream, and while studying, I kept thinking, "How can I change life for other moms?" That's when the idea of my current business was born: a restaurant for inspiring moms, where both kids and husbands are not only welcome but also well cared for. While the concept has been successful and we've expanded locations, I noticed something else: All attributes of a "desirable" lifestyle avoid us.
While everything changes in hospitality—like restaurants becoming more accessible or the Michelin Guide expanding to include sustainability awards—the changes I see don't typically recognize or cater to the needs of families with children. At the time of this writing, I'm finding that most prestigious lists lack a dedicated 'family-friendly' category that highlights places offering excellent food where children are truly welcome and accommodated. They celebrate culinary excellence and trending destinations, but family-oriented venues, specifically, are often overlooked.
Some might say the market doesn't exist, but I believe it's a classic chicken-and-egg situation. While there are Michelin-starred and luxury travel spaces that allow children, many beautiful, picture-perfect venues have strict child policies or are simply not designed with families in mind.
In my view, the 'mother with kids' category seems forgotten, and the "family" experience, especially for mothers trying to enjoy a night out, remains undervalued. This isn't just about convenience; it's about inclusivity.
What Leaders Can Do
We as business leaders can help by championing spaces that are accommodating to families, showing how meaningful it is to be surrounded by families, supporting tax policies that make family-friendly spaces more viable and encouraging the integration of more kids' activities in venues. Let's not fear adding a few extra meters for children's zones. Adults-only spaces can push mothers further away from modern life, fun and opportunities. Inclusion starts small—and every one of us can make that small move.
Over the past 10 years of building my business, I've seen countless mothers find new best friends there. It has become a social hub for people often excluded elsewhere. Yes, this business is emotionally intense, people-driven and less profitable than adult-only fine dining. But it's deeply rewarding.
Final Thoughts
If high gastronomy, luxury travel and cultural destinations genuinely want to embrace diversity and equality, they must acknowledge that "with kids" is not a limitation—it's a valuable perspective. I believe recognizing family-friendly excellence would be a major step toward a more inclusive society.
In my view, helping mothers means helping the next generation grow up happier and mentally healthier. In many regions, we no longer live with extended families or village tribes; we must support one another as citizens of modern cities.
Today, I am a happy mother of three. And in my work, I feel like a fairy when I see children's joy and mothers' relief at being included. As I see it, the world isn't just for the successful, the beautiful or the fit. It's for everyone—especially the little ones who will one day be all those things, and more, if we make space for them now.
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
