Rising Stars: Meet Isha Kalra of Raleigh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Isha Kalra

Hi Isha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
From New Delhi to North Carolina: My Journey to Becoming “The Very Exhausted Mommy”

I was born and raised in New Delhi, India, and in 2013, I packed my bags and moved to the United States to start a new chapter. North Carolina quickly became home, and today, my husband and I live in the Raleigh area, raising our two beautiful sons alongside our beloved, spoiled fur baby.

For over a decade, I worked in the IT industry—juggling deadlines, meetings, and a fast-paced professional life. But everything changed when COVID hit. My oldest son was just over 6 months old at the time, and life felt like a whirlwind I couldn’t escape. Postpartum hormones were raging, the world was on lockdown, and I was working full-time while navigating first-time motherhood—all within the four walls of my home.

It was overwhelming.

One day, I found myself venting to my husband’s cousin, who softly said, “Isha, this must be so exhausting for you.” She wasn’t wrong. Those words stuck with me because they captured everything I was feeling. When I decided to create my Instagram account to share my journey, naming it was simple—@the_very_exhausted_mommy was born.

What started as a small space to share my struggles and joys quickly turned into something more. I wanted to be honest, to be real, and to connect with other moms who were in the trenches just like me. Over time, my platform has grown into a beautiful blend of:

Relatable motherhood content—the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Family life, with a peek into our traditions like the Halloween “boo tree” and cozy Christmas mornings.
Collaborations with sustainable brands, kid-friendly products, and small businesses I truly believe in.
Now, as The Very Exhausted Mommy turns 5 years old in May 2025, I look back with so much gratitude. It’s been a journey filled with learning, growth, and incredible opportunities. I’ve had the privilege to partner with amazing brands like Playmobil, Magic Spoon, Woolino, Baby Shusher, Kumon, MomCozy, Sang Coffee, and Comotomo—alongside covering local businesses and events that make our community so vibrant.

More than anything, I’m proud to have built a space that feels genuine. A space where moms can feel seen, where they can laugh, cry, and say, “Oh, thank goodness—it’s not just me.”

To everyone who has been a part of this journey—thank you. Your love, support, and kind messages remind me why I do this. Motherhood may be exhausting, but it’s also filled with moments of magic, and I’m so glad I get to share mine with all of you.

Here’s to many more years of this wild, beautiful ride.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not.

When I first started this journey, I knew very little about the influencer world. I was just a mom sharing her story, figuring things out as I went along. What I didn’t expect was how steep the learning curve would be.

From falling for scams (yes, it happens to the best of us) to being followed by a swarm of bot accounts that made my numbers look good but meant nothing—there were plenty of moments when I questioned myself. Growing an account organically? That was a whole different ballgame. I spent hours researching, trying to figure out what worked and what didn’t. And let’s not forget chasing brands for payments—a struggle most influencers don’t talk about but know all too well.

On top of that, there was always the balancing act—motherhood, home life, and creating content that felt authentic to me. There were days when I felt like throwing in the towel. But I didn’t, because I believed in what I was building.

Every challenge taught me something valuable. I learned how to identify brands and collaborations that aligned with my values, how to connect with my audience in a genuine way, and how to turn this “Instagram account” into something more than just a hobby.

So no, it hasn’t been easy. But I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything. Because the struggles? They shaped me into the creator I am today—and every single lesson made this road worth traveling.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
From IT Professional to Content Creator: Finding My True Calling

For over a decade, I thrived in the fast-paced world of IT—deadlines, problem-solving, and long hours were my daily routine. But everything changed when I became a mom. The birth of my first son shifted my priorities, and I realized I wanted something more than just checking tasks off a to-do list. I wanted to create, connect, and share my journey in a way that felt meaningful.

So, I took a leap of faith. I walked away from my 10+ year career to embrace the roles of mom and content creator.

Today, I specialize in sharing the real, raw, and relatable side of motherhood. My platform, Instagram.com/the_very_exhausted_mommy , has become a place where moms can come for a laugh, a sense of comfort, or even just a virtual hug on the tough days. I focus on:

Relatable mom life—the messy, beautiful chaos of parenting.
Family-centered content—celebrating traditions like our Halloween Boo Tree or cozy Christmas mornings.
Thoughtful brand partnerships—highlighting sustainable products, kid-friendly finds, and small businesses I truly believe in.
What sets me apart is my commitment to keeping things genuine. I’ve always been intentional about sharing my journey in a way that feels real—no sugar-coating, no perfection, just life as it is. Whether I’m posting about my son’s Mario-themed birthday party, my struggles with breastfeeding, or my love for creating cozy home decor, it’s all me.
Creating awareness about hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe pregnancy condition I experienced firsthand. By sharing my story, I hope to shed light on this challenging and often misunderstood condition, offering support to those going through it.

What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve built. Seeing moms comment, “I feel this so much” or “This made me laugh when I needed it most” reminds me why I do this. I’m proud of the trust I’ve earned and the connections I’ve made—both with my audience and the brands I partner with.

Walking away from a stable IT career was not easy, but stepping into this creative space has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life. I get to be a storyteller, a creator, and a mom—all at the same time. And that’s something I’ll never take for granted.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was walking away from a consistent paycheck and a career I had invested over a decade in. It wasn’t an easy decision—there were uncertainties about income, growth, and the future—but what kept me going was my passion for creating meaningful content.

Another risk was venturing into the influencer space with very little understanding of how to navigate it. From navigating scams to handling contracts and negotiating partnerships, each step has been a lesson in trust, perseverance, and learning as I go.

I may not consider myself an extreme risk-taker, but I do believe in calculated risks—those where you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone, even if the outcome is unknown. For me, it’s about balancing the thrill of possibility with the reality of what truly resonates with my audience and values.

Taking risks has shaped my journey into one that’s authentic and fulfilling. It’s taught me that sometimes, the biggest rewards come from leaning into uncertainty with an open heart and a clear purpose.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_very_exhausted_mommy