Meet Paola Reyner | Founder AWOMAN

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paola Reyner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paola, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I stopped believing in perfect balance a long time ago, and that shift alone released so much guilt. The way I think about it now is that different seasons demand different things. When I’m close to an event, work gets most of me. When Martina has something important at school, she gets my morning. After both of my kids were born, they needed me completely and that was right. Balance isn’t a fixed point, it’s something that moves. I’m still working on the guilt that comes from both sides, but understanding that each part of my life will take turns being the priority has made everything feel a lot more manageable.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
AWOMAN is not a brand built from the outside in. It was built from the inside out, by real women, for real women. What sets us apart is that the platform itself belongs to the community. We are just the vessel. The women who show up are the ones who make it what it is.

What I am most proud of is the seed we have planted. Watching women leave our events one step further than where they walked in is everything. And what excites me most is that we are still figuring out new ways to grow. That part never gets old.

Has it been easy? Not even close. There have been moments, many of them, where I wanted to walk away from all of it. What kept me going was learning to take it one challenge at a time. Looking at the full picture can be paralyzing. But when you focus on what is right in front of you, you look up one day and realize you have already covered most of the distance.

My brand story is my personal story. I have knocked down fears that once felt immovable. I walked into motherhood and had to rebuild parts of myself and the business around it. I closed chapters I thought were permanent. And somehow, I kept moving forward. Not because it was easy, but because I could not imagine stopping.

What I want the world to know is that AWOMAN exists because women are stronger together. That is not a tagline. It is the only thing I have ever truly believed in.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Brooklyn Heights, and honestly I think it is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in New York. If my best friend came to visit, I would not take her to the tourist version of this city. I would take her to my city.
We would start Friday easy. Walk to Montague Diner in the neighborhood, super casual and iconic, so she arrives, drops her bags, and we are already in it.
Saturday morning we walk to L’Appartement 4F, my favorite bakery in the city. Almond croissant, cinnamon roll, the best chai. Then we take our coffee and pastries and walk to DUMBO, wander around, grab an Aperol spritz at the bar next to the Ferry while we wait, and hop on the Ferry to Williamsburg. We will brunch on Sunday in Brooklyn, shop around, and finish the day at Maison Premiere for the best oysters and a glass of wine.
Sunday is Central Park. Brunch somewhere nearby, then walk to Times Square and catch my favorite show, Buena Vista Social Club.
And Monday, the last day, we go to Books Are Magic in the morning and close the whole trip with dinner at Inga’s Bar. My go-to spot in the neighborhood. The food, the vibe, the people. It is the kind of place that is perfect whether you are alone, on a date, or with your best friend. There is nowhere better to end a trip.
Oh, and every single morning, no matter what, I walk the Promenade with my dog. If she is lucky, I will drag her along for that too.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My two kids, Martina and Sebastian. And honestly, becoming a mother is what pushes me the hardest. Especially with Martina. There is something incredibly powerful about building something she can watch and learn from. I want her to grow up seeing that her dreams are worth chasing, and I want the world she inherits to be a little better because of what we are building now. She is my biggest reason to keep going.

Website: https://www.somosawoman.com

Instagram: https://Paola.reyner

Linkedin: paolareyner

Image Credits
Yes I have the rights to use this photos