Passionate about providing families with the tools and knowledge to help their little ones sleep well, Jess Prescott, founder of Jess’ Sleep Secrets, has built a gentle sleep-support practice shaped by her own experience as a mother determined to honour her baby’s needs. What began with long nights, research-filled days and a refusal to let “cry it out” be the only option soon blossomed into a heartfelt business supporting families all over the world. Her guilt-free, connection-based, loving and encouraging method empowers parents to create a healthy and positive relationship with sleep. Here, Jess talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the passion behind her work, her biggest breakthrough, the pros and cons of running her own business, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
My oldest son was a very poor sleeper; everyone told me to let him cry and use controlled crying methods. I knew I didn’t want to do that, and I was determined to improve his sleep in a gentler way. I wasn’t going to sacrifice the bond I had built with my baby. I spent weeks researching and trying a variety of patterns – I found the answer and my boy’s sleep improved dramatically. I started helping family and friends with their children’s sleep and realised I was on to something very special, so I completed a lot of training, got my certification and Jess’ Sleep Secrets was born.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I started out purely from friend referrals and social media. I started to create content sharing my knowledge, answering common questions and giving examples of how my method is unique and completely built around building trust and confidence, gaining connection with your child and never fighting against them. Wonderful families kept getting incredible results and naturally more people found me searching for my support.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
I was running Jess’ Sleep Secrets alongside a full-time job. I was on maternity leave with my second child and the week I was due to go back to work, they made me redundant. No notice, no choice but to see it as a sign to put all my faith into helping families. It’s the best thing I ever did. I was no longer restricted to when I could offer my support. I was in full control, and I could put my heart and soul into my support. This was a huge turning point as I could start to offer programs that provided my families with that daily support and encouragement that they really needed. I could be there for all of them. It was a special moment. I felt truly proud that this little support network I had created was becoming a huge (for me) lifeline for families all over the world.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Honestly, I have been awful at managing this. This is something I’m working hard on. Funny story – once, I was halfway through a video call with a wonderful family, talking them through their sleep program, and my oldest son ran in and was violently sick all over me – all caught on camera! Safe to say that call was cut short and the poor family who witnessed the scene were forced to wait a few days for me to finish the call for them. Not the most professional moment, however, it happens, it’s life. I am incredibly lucky that my clients are parents, so they understand what it’s like to have children. Yes, I will do everything in my power to support my clients and be there ready to answer anything they need, but sometimes family must come first.
Up to now, I’ve been juggling running the business with two children very much attached to me the whole time. I would do most of my work during nap times and be on my laptop into the early hours of the morning to guarantee myself that free time with no distractions. It’s quite normal for me to be working until 1am. My oldest is now in school and my youngest has just started nursery 2 days a week. I am trying to work during those hours, be more present when my children are home and aim to have at least one evening a week where I am in bed by 11pm (early for me!). My husband and I both run our own businesses; his work takes him away a lot of the week and we work as a team to ensure we both get time to focus on our businesses and that family time is precious.
