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Mother’s Day Gift Guide: 10 Ideas for Busy Working Moms

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Deanna Ritchie


Even before the pandemic, being a working mom was inevitably difficult. Now fast-forward to a new era of remote and hybrid work; women that work tirelessly to find an effective work-life balance need even greater support while overcoming the challenges that come with being a working mom.

For many women, there is an expectation to keep up with family, work life, housework, and everything in between. At the same time, you must take care of yourself by eating right, exercising, and paying attention to your mental health. And they do all of this while keeping up with your professional goals. Yes, it is a lot to digest. But busy working moms make it work each day the best they can, making them truly superheroes.

As Mother’s Day approaches, it’s time to start thinking about the perfect gift for the special working mom in your life. Since she’s balancing a career and a family, there are plenty of thoughtful and practical gift ideas that can help make her life a little bit easier and more fun. This Mother’s Day gift guide offers 10 ideas for working moms that will show them how much you appreciate all that she does and the person she is.

1. Specialty Gift Baskets

As a working mom, the days are long. This makes self-care or “treating one’s self” all the more important to ensure you are taking care of your overall well-being. This being said, many working moms don’t take the time to provide self-care time or items for themselves. That is why a custom or specialty gift basket from their loved ones could mean the world to a mom who might feel on the edge of burn-out or simply needs a treat.

While options for specialty gift baskets may seem vast and wide, there are a few options that truly succeed at intentionality. Spoonful of Comfort, for example, has taken the time to curate beautiful (and delicious) baskets for every occasion, including Mother’s Day, with themes ranging from “Pampering” to “Warm and Wonderful.” Working moms will feel the love and support of their families after a long day by enjoying a basket full of items like gourmet cookies, scented candles, a beautiful card, a soft blanket, or homemade soup.

2. Mental Health Journals

Along with eating nutritious food and getting enough sleep, self-care is essential for every person. According to the most recent annual Women in the Workplace report, in 2021, the rate of burnout for women increased by 10% since the previous year.

One practical way for working moms to find balance is to have an outlet for their mental health. Journaling has been scientifically proven to support a positive mindset, which is why mental health journals such as Silk and Sonder and Therapy Notebooks are great choices to help with overcoming roadblocks and managing everyday needs.

3. Office Accessories

Whether you work completely from home or spend at least part of your time in a traditional office setting, you want your workspace to be an inviting, clutter-free, and inspiring place to be. There are plenty of desk decoration ideas that every working mom can use to create a stylish and functional workspace. You can also find some great office accessories to improve busy moms’ personal work experience. From a magnetic phone mount or wireless charging tray to a mini photo printer or Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook, any busy working mother would benefit from a new gadget to make their office life a little simpler to navigate.

4. Portable Coffee Makers

Every mom needs a little morning jolt to start the day right. And perhaps another cup of joe in the afternoons. A portable coffee maker is a great choice for the busy mom that is always on the go. If you are looking for a portable coffee maker that will fit any working mom’s energy-boosting needs, choose the AeroPress Go Portable Coffee Maker or the all-in-one Cafflano Klassic.

For the mom that works remotely, there is also the practical Ember Temperature-Controlled Smart Mug that will keep her coffee at the perfect temperature. Alternatively, if she prefers tea or flavored water instead, consider beautiful flowering teas or an infuser water bottle.

5. Personalized Jewelry

While diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, they aren’t necessarily practical for the everyday working mom. Luckily, there are great options for finding beautiful, personalized jewelry for her this Mother’s Day. Online sellers like Oak & Luna and MYKA offer unique selections of necklaces and jewelry that can be customized with names, birthstones, photos, and more. You can also find sustainable jewelry brands and support a woman-owned small business in your area that offers one-of-a-kind pieces that you know will fit her style.

6. Subscription Boxes

Many great subscription boxes exist to choose from these days. Plus, they are a great way to show Mom how much you care about her. Some favorites are the Book of the Month subscription, a wine subscription box from Winc, and Trade’s coffee delivery subscription box. If you want to support multiple working moms on your remote team, entrepreneurs can choose from healthy snack box delivery options to help them reduce stress and boost energy during the workweek.

7. Gift Certificate to Dance or Yoga Studio

Moms don’t always put in the time to focus on their own physical health. So why not treat her to a dance or yoga class? This is great for working moms that are already active. Yet, it can also be a positive inspiration for busy moms looking to get back into fitness. For those with busy schedules, live and on-demand fitness classes are a solid option, as are local studio classes.

8. Date Box or Dating Games

Just as every mom wants some time to themselves, they also want to have fun date nights. For the single mom, you can plan a thoughtful Mother’s Day date night that she is bound to cherish. For mom’s looking to have a romantic evening with their partner, a well-crafted subscription box like Crated with Love or The Adventure Challenge is always a fun option.

9. Personalized Photo Albums

If you want to give a gift that will last, a personalized photo album is always the perfect gift. Choose from a digital photo frame or get creative with a customized calendar, planner, or scrapbook. Want to make it extra special? Sneak the kids out for a fun photo session at a park or other favorite local spots around town.

 10. Help Her Garden Grow

Growing a garden is a lot of work for anyone. But for the busy working mom, it can feel like an extra chore. Gardening not only helps you feel more connected to nature, but studies have also shown gardening can reduce stress, improve food security, encourage healthy eating and mindfulness practices, and improve life skills. Whether the special mom in your life already has a green thumb or you want to help her get started, a smart garden that can easily sit on a windowsill is a great option.

Whether with a special delivery on their doorstep or the perfect office accessories, these unique gift ideas are the perfect addition to any working mom’s busy lifestyle. How will you treat that rockstar of a working mom in your life this year?

Featured Image Credit: Pexels; Thank you!

Deanna Ritchie

Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

Politics

Fintech Kennek raises $12.5M seed round to digitize lending

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Google eyed for $2 billion Anthropic deal after major Amazon play


London-based fintech startup Kennek has raised $12.5 million in seed funding to expand its lending operating system.

According to an Oct. 10 tech.eu report, the round was led by HV Capital and included participation from Dutch Founders Fund, AlbionVC, FFVC, Plug & Play Ventures, and Syndicate One. Kennek offers software-as-a-service tools to help non-bank lenders streamline their operations using open banking, open finance, and payments.

The platform aims to automate time-consuming manual tasks and consolidate fragmented data to simplify lending. Xavier De Pauw, founder of Kennek said:

“Until kennek, lenders had to devote countless hours to menial operational tasks and deal with jumbled and hard-coded data – which makes every other part of lending a headache. As former lenders ourselves, we lived and breathed these frustrations, and built kennek to make them a thing of the past.”

The company said the latest funding round was oversubscribed and closed quickly despite the challenging fundraising environment. The new capital will be used to expand Kennek’s engineering team and strengthen its market position in the UK while exploring expansion into other European markets. Barbod Namini, Partner at lead investor HV Capital, commented on the investment:

“Kennek has developed an ambitious and genuinely unique proposition which we think can be the foundation of the entire alternative lending space. […] It is a complicated market and a solution that brings together all information and stakeholders onto a single platform is highly compelling for both lenders & the ecosystem as a whole.”

The fintech lending space has grown rapidly in recent years, but many lenders still rely on legacy systems and manual processes that limit efficiency and scalability. Kennek aims to leverage open banking and data integration to provide lenders with a more streamlined, automated lending experience.

The seed funding will allow the London-based startup to continue developing its platform and expanding its team to meet demand from non-bank lenders looking to digitize operations. Kennek’s focus on the UK and Europe also comes amid rising adoption of open banking and open finance in the regions.

Featured Image Credit: Photo from Kennek.io; Thank you!

Radek Zielinski

Radek Zielinski is an experienced technology and financial journalist with a passion for cybersecurity and futurology.

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Politics

Fortune 500’s race for generative AI breakthroughs

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Deanna Ritchie


As excitement around generative AI grows, Fortune 500 companies, including Goldman Sachs, are carefully examining the possible applications of this technology. A recent survey of U.S. executives indicated that 60% believe generative AI will substantially impact their businesses in the long term. However, they anticipate a one to two-year timeframe before implementing their initial solutions. This optimism stems from the potential of generative AI to revolutionize various aspects of businesses, from enhancing customer experiences to optimizing internal processes. In the short term, companies will likely focus on pilot projects and experimentation, gradually integrating generative AI into their operations as they witness its positive influence on efficiency and profitability.

Goldman Sachs’ Cautious Approach to Implementing Generative AI

In a recent interview, Goldman Sachs CIO Marco Argenti revealed that the firm has not yet implemented any generative AI use cases. Instead, the company focuses on experimentation and setting high standards before adopting the technology. Argenti recognized the desire for outcomes in areas like developer and operational efficiency but emphasized ensuring precision before putting experimental AI use cases into production.

According to Argenti, striking the right balance between driving innovation and maintaining accuracy is crucial for successfully integrating generative AI within the firm. Goldman Sachs intends to continue exploring this emerging technology’s potential benefits and applications while diligently assessing risks to ensure it meets the company’s stringent quality standards.

One possible application for Goldman Sachs is in software development, where the company has observed a 20-40% productivity increase during its trials. The goal is for 1,000 developers to utilize generative AI tools by year’s end. However, Argenti emphasized that a well-defined expectation of return on investment is necessary before fully integrating generative AI into production.

To achieve this, the company plans to implement a systematic and strategic approach to adopting generative AI, ensuring that it complements and enhances the skills of its developers. Additionally, Goldman Sachs intends to evaluate the long-term impact of generative AI on their software development processes and the overall quality of the applications being developed.

Goldman Sachs’ approach to AI implementation goes beyond merely executing models. The firm has created a platform encompassing technical, legal, and compliance assessments to filter out improper content and keep track of all interactions. This comprehensive system ensures seamless integration of artificial intelligence in operations while adhering to regulatory standards and maintaining client confidentiality. Moreover, the platform continuously improves and adapts its algorithms, allowing Goldman Sachs to stay at the forefront of technology and offer its clients the most efficient and secure services.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Google DeepMind; Pexels; Thank you!

Deanna Ritchie

Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

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Politics

UK seizes web3 opportunity simplifying crypto regulations

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Deanna Ritchie


As Web3 companies increasingly consider leaving the United States due to regulatory ambiguity, the United Kingdom must simplify its cryptocurrency regulations to attract these businesses. The conservative think tank Policy Exchange recently released a report detailing ten suggestions for improving Web3 regulation in the country. Among the recommendations are reducing liability for token holders in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and encouraging the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to adopt alternative Know Your Customer (KYC) methodologies, such as digital identities and blockchain analytics tools. These suggestions aim to position the UK as a hub for Web3 innovation and attract blockchain-based businesses looking for a more conducive regulatory environment.

Streamlining Cryptocurrency Regulations for Innovation

To make it easier for emerging Web3 companies to navigate existing legal frameworks and contribute to the UK’s digital economy growth, the government must streamline cryptocurrency regulations and adopt forward-looking approaches. By making the regulatory landscape clear and straightforward, the UK can create an environment that fosters innovation, growth, and competitiveness in the global fintech industry.

The Policy Exchange report also recommends not weakening self-hosted wallets or treating proof-of-stake (PoS) services as financial services. This approach aims to protect the fundamental principles of decentralization and user autonomy while strongly emphasizing security and regulatory compliance. By doing so, the UK can nurture an environment that encourages innovation and the continued growth of blockchain technology.

Despite recent strict measures by UK authorities, such as His Majesty’s Treasury and the FCA, toward the digital assets sector, the proposed changes in the Policy Exchange report strive to make the UK a more attractive location for Web3 enterprises. By adopting these suggestions, the UK can demonstrate its commitment to fostering innovation in the rapidly evolving blockchain and cryptocurrency industries while ensuring a robust and transparent regulatory environment.

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding cryptocurrency regulations in various countries has prompted Web3 companies to explore alternative jurisdictions with more precise legal frameworks. As the United States grapples with regulatory ambiguity, the United Kingdom can position itself as a hub for Web3 innovation by simplifying and streamlining its cryptocurrency regulations.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Jonathan Borba; Pexels; Thank you!

Deanna Ritchie

Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

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