The Answer I Never Expected—and Can’t Stop Thinking About

Recently, I interviewed Karen Houghton. She's an entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of Infinite Giving.

I asked her two questions at the end of the interview—one question I always ask, and a second I had never asked.

The question I usually ask at the end of every interview is: "What keeps you up at night?”

Karen answered with what I expected from any growth-oriented founder and CEO. She spoke about the threats of changes in industry regulations, competitors entering the market, and key staff turnover—all reasonable concerns. No surprises here.

Then I asked her the question I never asked in an interview: "What gives you sweet dreams?"

Without a moment's hesitation, she said, "Being a mom."

She continued by saying, "There's nothing in life that gives me more fulfillment than being a mom."

I became emotional by her answer. I thought about her answer into the evening and the whole next day.

When she said it, I realized how important it is for entrepreneurs, or any of us, who get pulled in so many different directions, with so many demands, to remember our most important roles in life.

Entrepreneurs, particularly those who have raised money from other people, are surrounded by angel investors, venture capitalists, and private equity people, all telling them what is most important. The entrepreneur goes from running their own company, serving their market, and establishing their unique culture to becoming what everybody else wants them to be.

This is clearly not the case with Karen Houghton. She's a mom first. And yes, she is an entrepreneur—and a successful one.

Watch our conversation: