For Elena Ducion, the inspiration behind MyBeeBear came from a familiar parenting struggle: Potty training. Frustrated by products that either leaked or felt too much like diapers, she developed a solution that gives children the comfort of real underwear while still protecting their sheets against accidents. Today, the Miami-based entrepreneur, formerly a lawyer in the construction industry, is helping families move beyond diapers faster — and proving that it’s never too late to begin a new career and build something meaningful.

Here’s our lightly edited Q&A, from The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project.

How is your business different from others in your industry?

We bridge the gap between diapers that prevent learning, and training underwear that leaks. Our product features adjustable absorbency, allowing children to feel wetness cues while still protecting bedding, which supports faster and more confident transitions out of diapers. It’s also made from organic cotton, so it’s comfortable, breathable and more sustainable than disposable options. As a mom, I designed it to feel like real underwear, not a diaper, because that distinction matters for children’s confidence. 

Tell us about your biggest success so far. 

Turning a personal parenting challenge into a product that is genuinely helping other families. What started as a simple solution I created for my own daughter has grown into a business that has helped over 150 families transition their children out of nighttime diapers. Seeing parents share that their kids gained confidence, stayed dry, and finally moved past diapers in just a few weeks has been incredibly meaningful to me. Financially, we’ve grown to over $14,000 in sales entirely through organic efforts, which validated that there is a real need for this solution. 

What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?

Marketing. Coming from a legal background, I had absolutely no experience in how to market children’s products to parents. It felt completely outside of my skill set, and in the beginning, I often felt lost and unsure of where to start.

Over the past year, I’ve invested a lot of time in learning — reading books, pitching my business and showing up at events to talk directly with parents. And with the support of a few mentors, I gradually began to understand what truly resonates with my audience.

Have you experienced any significant personal situations that have affected your business decisions?

Since starting my business, I’ve realized that entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart — challenges come every single day, both big and small. One of my biggest personal challenges has been balancing my role as an entrepreneur with being a mom to two children, ages 9 and 4.

I constantly feel pulled in two directions. On one hand, I have an endless to-do list and the drive to grow my business. On the other hand, I want to be fully present for my kids during these formative years. The hardest part is the guilt that comes with both roles — the guilt of not working on my business 24/7, and at the same time, the guilt of not always being able to give my children my full attention when business demands arise.

What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs? 

Did you know that over 60% of Americans dream of starting a business, yet only about 8% actually follow through? Most people are held back by fear of failure or leaving the comfort of a stable job, as well as a lack of connections and money. That was me just a few years ago, making a good income but feeling completely unfulfilled.

Starting my business was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but also one of the most rewarding. So my biggest advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: Just start. Allow yourself to fail, learn, pivot and grow. Don’t let fear stop you from building something meaningful. Starting a business is like jumping with a parachute — it’s terrifying at first, but the sense of freedom and fulfillment on the other side is absolutely worth it.

How do you find inspiration on your darkest days?

One of the main reasons I started this business was to prove to myself — and to my kids — that you can become anything at any age. I was almost 40, working in a legal department, feeling unfulfilled and close to burnout. All I kept hearing was, “At 40, you’re not going to change your career path.”

This is where I knew that I was not ready to settle for less. I wanted to show my kids that age is just a number, and that it’s always possible to pivot and build a life that truly fulfills you. My family is my biggest source of inspiration on the hardest days. When I feel like giving up, I ask myself: What would my kids learn if they saw me walk away from my dreams? 

What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days?

“Little Girl Gone” by Chinchilla. It’s a masterpiece! 

Who is your most important role model? 

It may sound cliché, but, Sara Blakely. Like me, she had a law degree — and like me, she felt unfulfilled at her work. Instead of settling, she created something of her own. She built Spanx from scratch, with no money, and completely changed an entire intimate-apparel industry with a product women actually needed.

What I admire most is her mindset. She didn’t wait for permission; she just figured it out as she went. That’s exactly how I approach my business. Her story proves that you don’t need the “perfect” background to succeed — you just need a great idea, resilience, and a badass woman who keeps going no matter what!

YouTube: @MyBeeBear
Instagram: @my_bee_bear

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