Rachel Weiss helps parents potty train their children

What is the origin story of your business? Tell us how and why you started — what inspired you?

Potty training my first child during my maternity leave with my second was a rollercoaster of emotions. Like most parents, I faced the stress and unpredictability of the process with little guidance – just the internet and the will to get it done. But with a newborn in tow, I quickly realized how just overwhelming the journey from diapers to potty can be. Just figuring out how to get started potty training my son was a challenge! The sheer volume of information available today is staggering and sifting through the myriad of potty-training methods—many of which contradict each other—can feel more daunting than the training itself. Luckily, my son took pretty easily to potty training. But I wondered what it must be like for parents whose children have a harder time giving up diapers. It could get frustrating and overwhelming quickly. I wondered what would have happened if my son resisted the potty – what would I have done? We all know Googling a solution can leave us more confused than before. In my younger years, I was a competitive athlete. Having won Collegiate Nationals in Raquetball and later competing at the CrossFit Games, I know firsthand that the best athletes don’t do it alone. They have a coach – someone to provide a training plan, bounce ideas and feedback off of, and to adjust training as needed if something doesn’t work. How great would it be if I could do that for other parents as they potty train their kids? So I took the plunge. I studied. I passed an exam. I became the first certified potty training consultant in Canada. Combining my experience as a chemical engineer with my background in athletics and the fitness industry, I bring a unique blend of analytical problem-solving skills and extensive knowledge to the parents and families I help. Rather than having to sift through a plethora of contradicting information and figure out potty training themselves, parents can trust me to have the knowledge of what works and how to apply it to their unique situation to ensure they no longer need to lug a diaper bag everywhere they go. As a “personal trainer” for potty training, I craft tailored solutions – detailed potty training plans – suited to each family’s specific circumstances and needs. And much like a coach or personal trainer, I’m invested in their success and help them work through any challenges that may arise and adjust their potty training plan as needed. Nothing is more rewarding than having a positive impact on the lives of parents and their little ones and I’m privileged to have helped so many families ditch diapers for good.

What does your business do, and who is your ideal client or customer?

I help parents potty train their children. Where they are in their potty training journey varies - some clients are just getting started and don’t know where to begin, while many have been struggling with potty training for months or in some cases a year or more! They often feel as if every other kid breezes through potty training, and that they’ve somehow failed, leading to guilt or shame. But the most important thing I tell my clients is that a lot of parents have these same issues. They are not alone. Parenting is hard. We’re all just trying to do the best for our children – and potty training can be a really overwhelming experience for some families. Working with me is a judgement free space – I approach every family with kindness and understanding. Having difficulty potty training is normal – it doesn’t make you a bad parent. Every kid is different, and some kids just need a different approach or a little more support.

What do you love most about running your business?

I love helping families. So many of my clients come to me distraught and exhausted trying to get their little one to use the potty. And they feel so much guilt. It’s extremely rewarding for me to watch my clients go from that level of frustration to joy as their child finally uses the potty consistently. In some cases, these families face issues of severe withholding and fear around using the potty. When we get their child to finally embrace going on the potty, the relief parents feel, and the change in their stress level, is noticeable. That is the most gratifying part of what I do.

How can the community best support you?

Word of mouth goes a long way. Potty training consulting is a new industry (and in fact I am the only person in Canada with this certification), so the biggest hurdle is just awareness. Many parents are simply unaware that there are people like me who can help and end up banging their heads against the wall trying to figure out why their child won’t use the potty. So word of mouth, following me on Instagram (@pottylearningwithrachel) and just letting people know there is help available, are all ways to help families get the support they need. I’m also always happy to come to community events to share information and answer questions about potty training.

What is the biggest lesson you've learned on your entrepreneurial journey?

Working with countless families has taught me struggles and difficulties are a natural part of life. Particularly now, in the age of social media, we’re constantly bombarded with curated content that only showcases the best moments – a never-ending stream of highlight reels that can make it seem like everyone else’s life is a breeze. But that’s far from reality. Real life is messy – it’s potty accidents, it’s frustration, and it’s giving your all but still feeling unsure. The most rewarding part of helping families teach their little ones to use the potty has been their openness about their challenges and willingness to seek my help to overcome them. That’s carried over to my own life as well. I’m no longer hesitant or afraid to seek help. Because why should we struggle alone, when there is a whole community of people with a range of expertise that can help us? So now, I don’t hesitate to ask for help. After all, no one is perfect, and together, we can lift each other up.

Has your Jewish identity, values, or community experience influenced your business in any way?

Judaism and the Hamilton Jewish community are a core part of my life. Whether it's taking my son to school at Kehila, attending Shabbat services, or participating in a myriad of community activities, I'm at Anshe Sholom nearly every day. This vibrant community has instilled in me the value of integrity, which is the cornerstone of my business. I believe in being transparent and upfront with my clients about what I do, what I can offer, my qualifications, and how I will support them. I never take on a client unless I truly believe I can make a difference in their lives. This commitment to honesty and integrity has earned me the trust of many families, and I am incredibly proud of the successes we've achieved together. These experiences have shown me that integrity is not just a value, but a guiding principle that leads to meaningful and lasting success.