She Built a Business on Soul — Then Her Daughter Showed Her What It Was Really For
Charlotte entrepreneur Kristen Zrakas thought her business was her life's purpose. Six weeks into motherhood, she's rewriting that definition.
For Kristen Zrakas, purpose has always had a home address: her business, Soulcialmate. The Charlotte-based entrepreneur built her brand on a mission to keep the "soul" in social media — helping entrepreneurs, small business owners, and creators use their platforms in ways that feel genuine, sustainable, and actually fun. Social media was her playground long before it was her job, and turning that passion into a thriving business felt like the fullest possible expression of who she was.
Then, her daughter, Ziva, arrived.
At six weeks old, Zrakas's daughter has already changed the equation in ways her mom didn't see coming. "I was really surprised by how natural being a mom came to me and how much it gave me so much more purpose in life," Kristen says. "My business has always felt like my purpose, and I didn't really see a world where anything different would top that. I knew I'd love my baby to pieces, but having her has really shown me that this is what I'm made to do."
KEEPING THE SOUL IN SOCIAL
It's a full-circle moment for someone who has spent years coaching others to build businesses that don't burn them out. Soulcialmate exists because Kristen recognized the tension so many entrepreneurs face: social media is non-negotiable for their growth, but nobody warned them it would basically be a second full-time job. Her work — through digital and physical products, services, and brand partnerships — gives them a roadmap to show up online in a way that creates real connection and real revenue, without losing themselves in the process.
The irony isn't lost on her that the lesson she teaches is now the one she's living.
"My business taught me hustle and diligence," she reflects, "but my baby is teaching me to work to live versus living to work."
THE PINCH-ME MOMENTS
Kristen's career has had its share of milestones. Like the time, industry giant Thinkific flew her to LA for VidCon to speak on a panel in front of thousands of content creators alongside people she'd long admired. "The other two people on the panel are people in my industry that I look up to," she says. "It was a total pinch-me moment."
But lately, her most celebrated wins have a decidedly quieter soundtrack. "Getting my baby to sleep in her crib for a four-hour nap for the first time — the freedom!!" she laughs.
Soulcialmate will always be her first baby. But Ziva? Ziva is teaching her that the whole point of building something meaningful is so you have the freedom to step away from it… and into the rest of your life.
Follow Kristen @kbousq and find her at yoursoulcialmate.com
