A Rare Beauty Exec Gets Real About Life With a Toddler, Baby, and Full-Time Career

Rare Beauty is all about challenging the unrealistic standards of perfection in beauty—and behind the scenes, they’re doing a good job of challenging the standards we hold working moms to as well!

Just ask Grace Kim, VP of Brand and Product Marketing at Rare Beauty, one of our SNOO Employee Benefit partners. As the mom of a toddler and a baby, Grace is also navigating back-to-back shifts: one at her laptop, one at home. We grabbed a few minutes with Grace to talk about the mental load of working parenthood, the workplace culture that makes it feel possible, and why sleep is the foundation of everything.

What has been the biggest challenge balancing work and a new baby?

Honestly, the mental load. The hardest part isn't any single moment—it’s the transition. I'm in work-mode all day, and then at 5:30pm I have to flip a switch and become a fully present mom to a toddler and a baby. There's no decompression in between. My second shift starts the second I close my laptop and doesn't really end until 10pm. Learning to give myself grace and being okay with not checking everything off my to-do list is something I'm actively working on.

What has helped you the most during this transition?

A few things have been extremely helpful. First, my husband Jacob is a true partner. We tag-team mornings, dog walks, bedtime, lunch packing, all of it, and he's the reason I make it out the door on time each day. At work, my manager and team hold space for me to be a mom and a marketer in the same breath, and that's a rarer thing than people realize. The last piece, and one I'm actively working on, is letting go of the idea that I have to do it all perfectly. In this current season of life, I have to accept that the house won’t always be clean and laundry won’t always get folded immediately but if my kids are happy and healthy, that’s all I can ask for.

How has your workplace supported you as a new parent?

My manager has been the kind of leader you hope for as a working mom. She is empathetic, understanding, and someone who treats my full life as an asset, not a liability. My team mirrors that energy: flexible, generous, and quick to step in when someone needs it. That culture is what makes coming back to work after maternity leave feel possible and not punishing.

How has sleep impacted your experience as a parent and employee?

Good sleep is the foundation of everything. When I'm rested, I'm a more patient parent, a sharper thinker at work, and a kinder version of myself in general. When I'm not, every challenge feels twice as big. Returning to work after maternity leave is hard enough and doing it on broken sleep can feel impossible, especially when your baby is waking up two to three times at night. Anything that helps a new parent rest, whether it’s a helpful partner, a flexible manager, or a product like the SNOO, is genuinely life-changing in those early months.

How has access to the SNOO Employee Benefit impacted your experience as a new parent or your return to work?

The SNOO was such a meaningful part of the early months with both of my kids. Knowing my baby was in a safe sleep environment gave me the reassurance I needed to relax, let go and try to get some sleep myself. Having it offered as a benefit (rather than something I had to figure out and budget for on my own) sent a clear signal that my company cared about me and understood what new parents need.

In one sentence, what does being a working mom mean to you?

Being a working mom means raising the people I love most while building something I'm proud of, and refusing to apologize for wanting both.

Want a free SNOO from your boss? Refer your employer to the SNOO Employee Benefit Program!

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.