The ranks of entrepreneur moms in the U.S. appears to be on the rise. And from our vantage point, it’s all thanks to a perfect storm currently hitting the U.S.: a rising maternal age (especially in big cities), meaning women often have more established careers and senses of self before starting their families; the punishing motherhood penalty and enduring gender wage gap most women face when they return to work post-baby; the work-from-anywhere mobility of many modern industries; and the ease of self-marketing via social media.

While some mothers start businesses in order to see a big idea come to life, others look to the flexibility that it can often afford them—an option to work and raise children on their own schedule. And while entrepreneurship is certainly more about hard work than glitz and glamour, it seems to be a path more and more qualified women are open to taking.

Unfortunately, there are still many sobering statistics around women-owned businesses and the lack of resources—in the form of funding, mentorship, and more—that are offered to them. Which is why sharing the stories of female business owners, supporting them, and learning from each other is key. And that brings us to our special “Mother Essentials” installment below, in which 6 inspiring founders (who will all be speaking at the upcoming In Good Company conference in San Francisco) share their top books, quotes, practices, and other bits of advice that have aided their journey as entrepreneurs and mothers.

Click on for keen advice from designer Mara Hoffman, The Jungalow‘s Justina Blakeney, filmmaker A-lan Holt, Jen Britton Bauer of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Bee Shapiro of Ellis Brooklyn, and Cosecha‘s founder/chef Dominica Rice-Cisneros.

For more “Mother Essentials” roundups, check out the top picks of Joy Cho of Oh Joy!, Erin Boyle or Reading My Tea Leaves, and Bekah Stewart of A Well Traveled Woman.