As Strong As The Mother Next To Me: Erika Williams

Meet Erika Williams, Founder & Director of Nature Scouts Collective

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

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 Erika’s story with you today!

How did you get started with your current role?

I got started in my current role by turning a deeply personal journey into a calling. After my daughter was born, I chose to step away from my career in education, feeling a strong pull toward something that aligned more deeply with my values and also met her needs. I saw a gap in opportunities for children to learn in ways that honor their natural curiosity, well-being, and connection to the earth. That realization sparked the idea to start a nature-based school — a place where learning is child-led, seasonal, and rooted in the outdoors. I launched the program in 2019 with a vision of building a community-centered, holistic learning environment, and it has since grown into a thriving, multi-location program supported by passionate families and a shared love of wild learning.

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

To me, this phrase is a powerful reflection of the shared strength and resilience among women—especially mothers. Motherhood, with all its chaos, beauty, and challenges, becomes more manageable when we uplift and support one another. As a mom and business owner, I’ve experienced the difficulty of juggling family and work, and it’s been the encouragement and camaraderie of fellow moms that have helped me grow, stay grounded, and show myself grace in hard times. Whether it’s a quick check-in or a heartfelt act of support, these connections make us stronger. This belief also drives my work, where building an inclusive, supportive community is always at the heart of what I do.

What strategies do you use to stay connected?

Community means everything to me — although it wasn’t always that way. In the beginning, I often felt like I had to do it all alone: managing my business, navigating motherhood, and handling the daily chaos. But I’ve since learned how essential it is to lean on my support system, especially during the tough seasons. I make space for honest conversations with close friends and family, whether it’s to share a win, ask for help, or just talk things out. I regularly check in with fellow moms and entrepreneurs who truly understand the juggle — they’re often my greatest source of wisdom and encouragement. And even a simple voice memo or quick message to let someone know I’m thinking of them helps me stay grounded and reminds me I’m never doing this alone.

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

My daughter has been part of this journey from the very beginning! Since we homeschool, we’ve always spent a lot of time together, and when I launched the nature school in 2019, she was just about to turn four. She’s been right beside me in class ever since. As she’s grown older and started exploring new interests and programs of her own, she’s attending less frequently — but now she’s stepping into more of a leadership role by mentoring the younger kids. It’s been so special to watch her grow within the community we’ve built together.

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

Absolutely—I love collaborating with other moms! Over the past six years, I’ve had the joy of working on many meaningful projects, but one that really stands out was with Sara Shields, a fellow mom and founder of the Homeschool Collective. We both share a passion for helping homeschool families build connections and feel supported. Last year, we teamed up to host a Homeschool 101 event for families who were just beginning their homeschool journey or considering a transition from public school. It was a deeply fulfilling experience to share resources, encouragement, and create space for new families to find their footing and their community.

How do you define strength in motherhood?

To me, strength in motherhood isn’t about perfection or doing it all — it’s about resilience and the commitment to keep showing up, even on the hardest days. It’s in the quiet acts of self-compassion when everything feels overwhelming, and the bravery to ask for help and lean into vulnerability. True strength also lives in community — in the shared understanding, support, and solidarity of other mamas. Knowing we’re not alone makes all the difference. it truly takes a village!

How do you celebrate small victories in motherhood and business?

It’s not always easy to do this! But I celebrate small victories in motherhood and business by taking time to pause and actually acknowledge them — even the tiniest wins. That might look like a quiet moment of gratitude, sharing the joy with a friend or my husband, or simply letting myself feel proud without immediately moving on to the next task. Sometimes it’s treating myself to something simple, like a walk, a coffee, or a few minutes of yoga. In both motherhood and entrepreneurship, the work is often nonstop, so recognizing the small milestones helps me stay grounded, motivated, and connected to my “why.”

How did you build your community of moms around you? 

I have built my community of moms organically through shared values and meaningful connections — many of which have formed through my nature program. As a naturally positive and joyful person, I tend to gravitate toward others who are also uplifting, open-hearted, and supportive. Over time, this like-mindedness has created a strong, nurturing circle of moms who not only understand the highs and lows of motherhood, but also share a deep appreciation for nature-based learning and intentional living.

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

It is so important to me! Personally, these women have become my support system — the ones I turn to for encouragement, laughter, and real conversations. Professionally, they’ve played a huge role in shaping and growing my program, offering feedback, ideas, and even collaborating with me on events or projects. It’s been beautiful to witness how these relationships have deepened over time and how community truly is at the heart of everything I do.

What piece of advice would you give another mom who is struggling with balancing work/home life? or thinking about starting her own business?

Starting a business as a mom definitely comes with its ups and downs. There are moments of incredible joy and purpose — like seeing your ideas come to life or knowing you’re creating something meaningful for yourself and your family. But there are also moments of doubt, overwhelm, and exhaustion. That’s why I always tell other moms: take it one step at a time, give yourself grace, and lean into your support system. You don’t have to do it all at once or have everything perfectly figured out. Stay grounded in your “why,” trust the process, and surround yourself with people who lift you up. The journey is so much more manageable — and fulfilling — when you remember you’re not in it alone.

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

Absolutely! One cause that’s very close to my heart is Kids for Peace, an organization dedicated to inspiring children to lead with compassion, kindness, and a commitment to creating a better world.

Our students participate in their Great Kindness Challenge every year — a beautiful week of intentional acts of kindness — and we also recite the Peace Pledge, which reinforces values like respect, gratitude, and empathy. I’m passionate about this because it aligns so deeply with our mission of nurturing whole children who care for themselves, each other, and the Earth. It’s empowering to see kids recognize that they can make a difference in the world, even in small, everyday ways.

What challenges do you face as mothers and businesswomen?

As a mother and business owner, one of the biggest challenges I face is finding balance — being present for my family while also fully showing up for my work. The mental load can be overwhelming, and guilt and self-doubt can creep in when I feel like I’m not doing enough in either role.

Despite the challenges, this dual path brings incredible growth. I am learning to prioritize, set boundaries, and ask for help. I have become more resourceful, resilient, and empathetic. With the support of a strong community and shared understanding, I’m reminded that I don’t have to do it all alone.

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

One of the most challenging times in my business and motherhood journey was when the preschool co-op I was teaching at suddenly closed. I had just started to find my rhythm — being able to teach again while spending time with my daughter — and the sudden loss of that space and community felt overwhelming. I was heartbroken and unsure of what would come next, especially with a young child at home.

But that moment ended up being a turning point. I listened to the pull in my heart to continue creating space for children and families, and I decided to start my own nature program. I gathered a small group of like-minded mamas and kids, and we began meeting at a local nature spot. It wasn’t easy, but leaning into community, staying aligned with my values, and taking small, intentional steps forward helped me build something even more meaningful — and deeply fulfilling — than I could’ve imagined.

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

Some of my favorite time-saving resources for managing both business and home life include Google tools — I use Google Calendar to stay on top of our schedule, shared Google Lists and Docs for collaboration, and spreadsheets for organizing everything from planning to budgeting. For my nature school business, the Brightwheel platform has been a game changer. It streamlines registration, admissions, and communication with families, saving me tons of time and keeping everything in one place. These tools help me stay organized and focused, so I can be more present in both my work and family life.

MOMination

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

Deena Barselah

Deena Barselah, a fellow mom in our nature school community, is a Holistic Health Coach who supports mothers in building a more joyful and confident relationship with food. She helps take the stress out of mealtime, making it easier for families to enjoy nourishing food and meaningful moments together.

Sara Shields

Sara Shields is the founder of The Homeschool Collective, where she supports families on their homeschooling journey. She’s passionate about helping parents feel confident, connected, and empowered as they create meaningful learning experiences for their children.

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!