Dave Simnick is the founder and CEO of Soapbox, a company with a mission to provide personal care products while donating soap to those in need. He's also a husband and the father of a one-year-old son, Noah.

Listen to the whole episode for an amazing discount code at Soapbox!

In this episode, Dave shares insights about the changes he faced when becoming a parent and how he’s adjusted his role as a CEO to manage his new responsibilities at home. We talked about the systems he and his wife have in place, the challenges of balancing work and parenting, and his personal frameworks for being a present and intentional Dad. We discussed:

• Parenting adjustments: How becoming a dad led Dave to shift his focus and say no to professional commitments to be more present with his son.
• Family support systems: The importance of clear communication and shared responsibilities with his wife to manage their dual-working household.
• Time management lessons: How being a parent has made Dave more intentional with his time, balancing professional and personal priorities.
• Parenting frameworks: The trifecta of clear communication, consistent boundaries, and overflowing affection, all modeled after his experience in education.
• Leadership lessons from fatherhood: How watching Noah learn to walk has taught Dave about perseverance and leadership.

Where to find Dave Simnick

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsimnick/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidsimnick/
• Soapbox: https://www.soapboxsoaps.com/

Where to find Adam Fishman

• FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Welcome Dave Simnick, founder and CEO at Soapbox, and Dad of one

(02:12) Preparing for fatherhood as a CEO

(05:47) Adjusting time management after becoming a parent

(07:07) Saying no to professional commitments for family time

(09:05) Balancing work and parenting responsibilities

(11:12) Family systems for a dual-working household

(13:39) Learning from being a parent: the surprising aspects

(15:36) Time management hacks post-parenthood

(17:04) Parenting frameworks: communication, boundaries, and affection

(19:36) Embracing imperfection in parenting

(22:39) Leadership lessons from fatherhood

(25:09) Advice for younger self about parenting

(30:53) Parenting disagreements and challenges

(33:00) Soapbox’s mission and global impact

(37:10) Parenting superpower: joy

(41:00) Lightning Round: Parenting hacks and travel tips

Resources From This Episode:

Soapbox: https://www.soapboxsoaps.com/
Teach for America: https://www.teachforamerica.org/
Bum Brush (Poop Spatula): https://a.co/d/2ONUFid
Bluey: https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/bluey
Mulan: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1856101/
The Sandlot: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108037/
Kia Carnival: https://www.kia.com/us/en/carnival
Kia Telluride: https://www.kia.com/us/en/telluride

Mike Malloy’s episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ9K0oR1nt4

Discount code: startupdad15

Baby Brezza: https://babybrezza.com/

Tulum: https://www.tulum.com/

Little Blue Truck: https://www.littlebluetruckbooks.com/books/

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