The Mom Behind SQUEEZE — Alannah Smith: A Mother, A Force, A Story of Grit & Grace

Wellness Extract Presents — Mothers: The Healing Hands – Part 2 

As part of our Mother’s Day Month celebration at Wellness Extract, we’re spotlighting inspiring mothers who lead, nurture, and create with heart. In the second feature of our Mothers: The Healing Hands series, we sat down with Alannah Smith, founder of SQUEEZE, a clean, freeze-dried fruit snack brand based in Abbotsford, British Columbia. 

Alannah is a mom of two, a business owner, and a woman on a mission to make healthy snacking simple. Her journey is honest, and her brand SQUEEZE is dedicated to providing good-for-you snacks for families on the go.  

Here’s what she shared about running a business while raising a family and why letting go of perfection was the most empowering choice she’s ever made.   

The Morning Mayhem: Motherhood, Business & Breakfast Chaos 

“As a mom, my day usually starts with a hectic breakfast, trying to find socks last minute, packing lunches with one hand, and answering questions with the other,” laughs Alannah. 

That’s motherhood, in all its raw, real, and messy. 

From Backseat Snacks to a Brand with Heart 

The idea for SQUEEZE came from a moment all parents know well. 

“I was driving home from the market in Chilliwack with hungry kids sitting in the back seat. We couldn’t find any healthy snacks in sight. It was then I thought of creating something better for not only my kids but for other moms as well.”  

Alannah wanted to create snacks that are healthy, with no added sugar, no preservatives and something that’s not full of unknown ingredients. And she did. 

That’s how SQUEEZE was born in 2023. It’s the brand that moms love. 

“It's not glamorous, running a business from home. It means I'm doing tons of things at once, answering emails, trying to post on social media, and snack time with kids. Some days I feel like I get nothing done. But other days, I see progress. I see purpose. I try to celebrate every win.” she adds. 

Q: What is the hardest part about balancing motherhood + parenting? 

When we asked her this question, Alannah’s answer was honest and familiar: 

“There’s a lot of moving pieces in a business. You’re always on and thinking about business, whether it’s emails or orders or social media DMs. So, balancing and trying to shift your mindset from work mode and to be present with the kids when they come home, making that shift probably is the hardest thing to balance.” 

Q: How do you handle days when nothing goes as planned? 

Alannah shares a piece of advice she once received that changed her perspective: 

“Try not “to should” on everything. You know, ‘I should get this done, I should have posted that, I should be getting all the tasks done in the checklist.’ Instead, switch it “to could.” I could do this, but I’m choosing to spend time with my family or to do something else. That shift releases the pressure and makes space for grace.” 

Her business has taught her to be flexible and make space for joy in the middle of the grind. 

“SQUEEZE isn’t just a business; it’s a reflection that I’m living alongside my kids.” she adds on with a smile. 

Q. Are there daily rituals that keep you grounded? 

Her daily anchors? 

Not checking her phone first thing. Instead, she cuddles with the kids in the morning. And at the end of the day, she loves to spend time with them outside, jumping on the trampoline, or playing ice cream shop with her 2 years old. That time helps her switch gears and decompress from work mode. 

Q. What advice would you give to moms starting out? 

“Just get started,” she says without hesitation. So many things will hold you back, when you’re thinking of starting a business or doing something new.  Fear of judgment, fear that you don’t have it all figured out. But just get started, write it down, talk to a friend, share your ideas, write it down. That’s how she started SQUEEZE.  

Her motivation is clear: “I want my kids to remember that I tried, that I showed up, that I created something real. I love that they look up to me and want to be a part of it” 

Q: What would you tell the version of yourself just starting out? 

If she could speak to the version of herself just starting out, Alannah would offer this gentle reminder: 

“You’re doing a good job. Some days will feel like failures, but keep going. Celebrate every small win. Balance isn’t about making everything even; it usually means choosing what matters most in the moment. Sometimes that’s finishing in order, sometimes it’s cleaning up after kids when they make the house a complete disaster.” 

Q. What does success look like now vs before having kids? 

Before having kids, Alannah spent a decade climbing the corporate ladder, focusing on promotions and performance. 

“Success used to mean the next step up,” she says. Now, after having kids, her success is about flexibility. It’s being able to shut down, to unplug, and spend real, quality time with her kids, even if it’s hard to do with social media constantly buzzing. 

Q. What’s your favorite memory as a mom? 

“Three years ago, we took our daughter Lucy to Disneyland. Seeing her face on the Dumbo ride. I still have that vividly in her memory.” She’s hoping that with SQUEEZE, she builds something that allows more moments like that with both her girls. 

 A Final Word to Mothers Everywhere 

“To all the mothers juggling business, babies, big dreams, and snack bags; your effort matters, your work matters, your presence matters.” 

This Mother’s Day, Wellness Extract is honored to feature women like Alannah Smith, mothers who lead, heal and nurture. 

 Stay tuned as we continue our “Mothers Who Lead with Heart” series, spotlighting women who are shaping the world at home and in business. Do share it with your loved ones since every mother’s journey deserves to be seen, celebrated, and supported.