Meet Neya – Founder of MomHop LA

When my daughter was younger, I checked online sites for family-friendly event recommendations. We were always eager to try the newest play space or kid-friendly experience in LA.

However, most events are now promoted on Instagram, and it’s through this social platform that parents of young children find out about local activities.

Enter MomHop LA! Their Instagram account curates and highlights terrific places for kids of all ages.

I really enjoy scrolling through their carousel posts for local ideas, so I naturally wondered who was behind the account. I recently interviewed the creator of MomHop LA to learn what inspired her to build this community. Please meet Neya, founder of MomHop LA!

How/why did you begin your business?

Neya: MomHop LA really grew out of my own experience as a first-time mom. I moved to the U.S. from Iran in 2013, and before becoming a mom, I was fully immersed in my career as a laboratory director. I had no idea how overwhelming motherhood could be or how difficult it would be to raise a little human!

With no extended family nearby and having not grown up here, I struggled to find activities, places to go, and most importantly, my village. I was also dealing with postpartum depression, which made that first chapter of motherhood even harder.

Things were much smoother with my second son, and around his first birthday, I decided to create something I wish I’d had the first time around.

I launched MomHop LA in January 2026 to help other parents feel less overwhelmed and enjoy motherhood more. Moms are constantly thinking, planning, and making decisions for their families. Our brains never really shut off!

My goal is to take some of that decision fatigue away by doing the research for parents and sharing curated guides, outing ideas, and family-friendly events that are actually worth their time.

As a working mother, what is one tip or piece of advice that you would give to other female entrepreneurs?

Neya: Don’t feel guilty, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, and learn to be flexible!

Motherhood brings a whole new identity, and finding a balance between raising children, having your own ambitions, and building a business isn’t always easy.

Throughout my career, I’ve learned that things rarely go exactly as planned. I’ve built a consulting business before, but MomHop was a completely different industry, and so much of it has been trial and error.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or change direction. Sometimes things are out of your control, and that’s okay. Learn from setbacks, adjust your strategy, and move forward without overthinking every decision. And most importantly, give yourself some grace. You don’t have to do everything perfectly to be a good mom or a successful entrepreneur.

What do you like best about having a business in the San Fernando Valley?

Neya: The Valley is home for us, and it’s where we’re raising our two boys! I love how many wonderful family-friendly places, small businesses, and hidden gems we have here.

Through MomHop, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with local businesses, meet other moms, and introduce families to places and experiences they might not have discovered otherwise.

Since we don’t have extended family nearby, building a sense of community has always been especially meaningful to me. I love hearing from parents who discovered a new place, tried an activity, or connected with other families because of something I shared. That’s exactly why I started MomHop!

Although we cover greater Los Angeles and surrounding areas, the Valley will always be our home base.

If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be?

Neya: How important it is to set boundaries and find a balance between being present for your kids and running a business.

When you’re passionate about what you’re building, it’s easy to feel like you should constantly be working. There’s always another guide to create, another place to research, or another idea to explore. And with social media, there’s really no finish line! I’ve learned that just because there’s always more you could do doesn’t mean you always should.

One of the reasons I was fortunate to step away from my previous career was to have more flexibility with my family. I have to remind myself that the business I’m building should support that goal, not take away from it. I’m still learning to find that balance, but I think it’s important to remember why you started in the first place.

For more information on MomHop LA, visit their website here. Also, don’t forget to check their Facebook page and Instagram account for activity suggestions and weekly guides!

Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. The images shown in this post are used with permission. As always, my opinions are 100% my own.