As Strong As The Mother Next To Me: Nicole Bistric

Meet Nicole Bistric, Mom + Owner, ImagiDough

We are so grateful that Nicole shared her story with us…

“I’m Nicole Bistric, a former educator, mom of two, and the founder of ImagiDough. I created ImagiDough to support my son’s sensory needs and quickly realized how powerful sensory play can be for all kids. Now, I help parents, teachers, and therapists bring hands-on, engaging play to children through themed playdough kits and sensory tools. My mission is to make sensory play accessible, fun, and beneficial for every child while supporting families along the way.”

Our ‘As Strong as the Mother Next to Me’ weekly spotlight highlights and celebrates Moms in San Diego and across the globe who believe in building up and supporting moms.

We are excited to share Nicole’s story with you today!

How did you get started with your current role?

I’m Nicole Bistric, a former educator, mom of two, and the founder of ImagiDough. I created ImagiDough to support my son’s sensory needs and quickly realized how powerful sensory play can be for all kids. Now, I help parents, teachers, and therapists bring hands-on, engaging play to children through themed playdough kits and sensory tools. My mission is to make sensory play accessible, fun, and beneficial for every child while supporting families along the way.

What does “As Strong as the Mother Next to Me” mean to you?

To me, As Strong as the Mother Next to Me is a reminder that we aren’t meant to do this alone. Motherhood can feel very lonely at times, but by connecting with those around us, we build a supportive community of women who just get it. It’s about lifting each other up, sharing our struggles and wins, and knowing that we are stronger together.

What strategies do you use to stay connected?

Being a small business owner and a mom to young children means I virtually have no time to myself. That’s why I’ve found so much joy in events that get me out into the community—I’ve connected with so many moms and business owners who are juggling the same things as me. It makes me feel less alone, and everyone has their own unique advice and encouragement to share. We aren’t meant to do this alone, and having a strong, understanding community makes all the difference.

How do you involve your children in your professional life, if at all?

I love involving my children in my business in small, meaningful ways. For example, my son often helps me with testing new sensory products, like helping me choose which colors to combine or what textures he enjoys the most. It’s a fun way for him to learn and be a part of the process. My youngest is also the official toy tester! He loves exploring new sensory tools and playsets, which helps me ensure that everything is not only fun but also safe and engaging for kids. It’s exciting to see their reactions and get their honest feedback as they play—it makes them feel proud to be part of the ImagiDough journey.

Can you share an example of a collaboration with another mom that was particularly successful or fulfilling?

One collaboration that has been particularly successful and rewarding for me was with Kornia from the Monarch Motherhood Collective. She has been an incredible support in my professional journey. She reached out to me to hold a sensory play event for her mom group, and it sparked a lot of creative thinking and planning. This was the push I needed during a time when things were starting to feel repetitive, just fulfilling orders all day. We have so much fun brainstorming and planning these events together, and it’s been such a rewarding collaboration. Her support and creativity have made a big difference, and I’m so grateful for the partnership we’ve built.

How do you define strength in motherhood?

To me, strength in motherhood means embracing the ups and downs with resilience, grace, and self-compassion. It’s about showing up every day, even when it feels overwhelming, and making choices that align with your values and your family’s needs. Strength is also found in the moments of vulnerability—asking for help when you need it, leaning on your community, and knowing that it’s okay not to have all the answers.

How do you celebrate small victories in motherhood and business?

In both motherhood and business, I celebrate small victories by recognizing the effort behind every milestone. When my oldest finally dug his hands into ImagiDough or engaged in messy play, I knew my efforts were working! When I have a successful event or receive great feedback, I take time to reflect on the hard work that led to it. Both in motherhood and business, celebrating these wins helps remind me that every step forward is worth recognizing!

How do you think societal perceptions of motherhood have changed over the years?

I believe societal perceptions of motherhood have shifted significantly over the years, with a growing recognition of the diversity in motherhood experiences. There’s more openness now around the complexities of balancing work, personal life, and parenting. Historically, motherhood was often seen through a more traditional lens, with expectations around women being the primary caregivers, often in isolation. Today, there’s greater acknowledgment of the importance of support systems, and there’s less shame around seeking help or admitting that motherhood can be overwhelming. There’s also a growing recognition that women can run their own businesses, be successful, and still be great moms. This shift in perception allows moms to embrace their unique paths, empowering them to pursue their dreams without feeling guilty about it.

How do you balance self-care with taking care of your family and business?

This has been a tricky one for me. Usually, it’s my husband who says, “Hey, you need a break, give yourself some grace and self-care.” When he encourages me to slow down, it’s a reminder to prioritize myself, even just for a moment. Then, I can enjoy a cup of coffee in silence, set boundaries, and learn when I just can’t do it all. I’ve also found that hosting a sensory playdate can be a great way to balance everything—my kids get to engage in creative play while I connect with other moms, giving me a sense of community and support. It’s a continuous process of finding balance, but I’ve learned that taking care of myself ultimately allows me to show up better for my family and my business.

How did you build your community of moms around you? 

I built my community of moms by leaning into connections both online and in person. Through local mom groups, sensory play events, and collaborations like those with the Monarch Motherhood Collective, I’ve found so many incredible women who uplift and support one another. Social media has also played a huge role—I’ve been able to connect with moms who resonate with my journey, whether it’s through sensory play, entrepreneurship, or just navigating the ups and downs of motherhood. Hosting sensory playdates and local events has also helped create a space where moms can come together, share experiences, and support one another in a judgment-free environment. It’s been a reminder that we don’t have to do this alone.

How important is it to you to surround yourself with other moms professionally and personally?

Surrounding myself with other moms is incredibly important both professionally and personally. As a business owner, connecting with other moms has led to amazing collaborations, new ideas, and invaluable support. Personally, having a community of moms who understand the highs and lows of motherhood makes all the difference. It’s reassuring to know I’m not alone in this journey, and together, we can uplift and inspire one another.
What piece of advice would you give another mom who is struggling with balancing motherhood and business?

Give yourself grace and let go of the idea that you have to do it all perfectly. Balance isn’t about doing everything at once—it’s about prioritizing what truly matters in each moment. Lean on your support system, set boundaries, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. And remember, taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential for showing up as the best version of yourself for your family and your work.

Do you have a non-profit or cause that you want us to know more about? And why are you so passionate about this?

I’m passionate about supporting sensory inclusion and creating accessible play opportunities for all children. Through ImagiDough, I strive to provide tools that help kids, especially those with sensory sensitivities, feel comfortable exploring and engaging in play. I believe every child deserves a space where they can learn, create, and regulate in a way that feels safe and enjoyable for them.

What challenges do you face as a mother and businesswoman?

One of the biggest challenges I face as both a mother and a business owner is finding the balance between work and family. In a corporate setting, it was easier to take days off or stop working at 5, but when you’re running everything yourself, it’s much harder to turn it all off. There are days when mom guilt creeps in or when I feel stretched too thin. Learning to set boundaries, and give myself grace has been key. When my kids ask for a bubble dance party or to play a board game, I have to remind myself to shut work down and be present—because those moments matter more than anything.

Tell us about a challenging time in your business or in your role in motherhood and how you overcame it?

A challenging time for me was when my son struggled with sensory sensitivities, which created a barrier to enjoying play. He had a hard time getting messy, exploring textures, and even enjoying things like splash pads, which other kids loved. As a mom, it was tough seeing him miss out on these experiences. To overcome this, I started introducing sensory-friendly play opportunities at home, using tools like ImagiDough to help him engage with textures in a way that felt safe and comfortable. It took time, but with patience, I saw him begin to enjoy these activities more. This experience inspired me to create products that help other children with similar sensitivities enjoy play without feeling overwhelmed.

What are some of your favorite resources managing your business and/or home life that have saved you time?

I rely on Google Suite—especially Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Calendar—to organize all aspects of my life, from business tasks to family schedules. Canva is a huge help for content creation, making it easy to design visuals quickly. For staying on top of orders, I stick with good old-fashioned post-its to keep track of everything. At home, we have a whiteboard to manage the family schedule and make sure everyone is on the same page.

Can you share a moment when another mom’s support made a significant difference in your life?

A moment when another mom’s support made a significant difference in my life came when my son entered preschool. We became close with a small group of families, and it has been so nice to have them in the neighborhood. We’ve been able to play together, share both big and small moments, and offer support to one another. They truly get it because they’re also in the trenches of motherhood. Having this close-knit group has been such a blessing, as they’ve been there for me in ways that make both the challenging and rewarding moments of motherhood feel a little easier to navigate.

Would you like to offer anything to our readers?

I’d love to offer your readers a special discount on ImagiDough products! Sensory play is such a powerful tool for children, and I want to make it as accessible as possible. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or therapist, ImagiDough can bring hands-on, calming, and engaging play into your space. Use code STRONGMOM for 10% off your order.

MOMination

We become better women, partners, leaders, and friends by empowering and lifting each other up. Thank you Nicole for MOMinating these women below who have inspired you.

Korina Martinez

I’m MOMinating Korina from the Monarch Motherhood Collective because she is an incredible support to moms everywhere. Korina has been such a motivating force in my own journey, always encouraging me to push forward and think outside the box. Her passion for empowering moms and creating meaningful connections within the community is inspiring.

Courtney Hermes

I’m MOMinating Courtney from Sweat and Bloom because she embodies strength, resilience, and a true commitment to supporting others. Not only is she an amazing mom, but she also inspires me with her dedication to helping women feel empowered and strong through fitness and community.

We are thrilled to bring back our weekly spotlight that will highlight and celebrate Moms in San Diego and across the globe who believe in building up and supporting moms.

We hope that if we can debunk the idea that you have to take on this journey alone, as a community of moms, we will all walk away stronger, inspired, and raise stronger children and become better partners. We’d love to hear from you!