Women in Business: Q&A with Elke Govertsen, Founder of Mamalode

How has your life experience made you the leader you are today?
I was raised between Alaska and MT-- so I grew up with hard working, make-your-own-way types of people.

When I was 25 I contacted a terrible case of typhoid fever which led to a series of surgeries and infections. A year later I was pregnant with my first son. Both of these shocks were profound, future shaping and a huge dose of perspective-- which helps me keep the risks involved with starting a business in check-- borrowed time is a great teacher.