Andy Laats

One of the first things I did when I started my company was make a business card.

I didn't really know what to put underneath my name.

There were only two of us doing everything.

But I figured I went to a legitimate business school, so damn it, I'm a legitimate businessman.

And as a legitimate businessman, a CEO, people tended to ask me questions about all sorts of things, even parenting.

I'd respond quickly, firmly, so they would believe me.

I thought I had answers.

But then my wife got real sick, and I learned a whole bunch more.

But let me back up.

I come from a pretty traditional family, and I used that as a blueprint when it was time to start my own.

My wife Liz and I got married in 2001, and we had three healthy kids in rapid succession, with me in the office and her at home.

I know not all families look like this, but ours did.

And for about eight years, it was a dream.

Shortly after she turned 40, the kids were two, four and six.

She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Suddenly, our focus was split between the kids and the cancer.

Unstructured playtime.

Surgery.

Healthy snacks.

Chemo.