Meet Emily Jabbawy, founder of Little Beats in Newton! A born-and-raised Newton native, Emily has always had a passion for working with kids, building community, and finding creative ways to bring joy to families. What began with her helping out at her family’s dance studio grew into Little Beats- a vibrant, welcoming space rooted in movement, connection, and fun. We loved hearing about Emily’s journey, how she balances motherhood and business ownership, and the incredible community she’s built for local children and parents alike. Let’s get to know Emily!
Tell us about your family! How many children do you have, where are you from, and where do you live now?
I have two daughters who are 5 and 9 and I am born and raised in Newton. I live exactly where I grew up which is great because I know all the side road shortcuts, but not always great because I live with a burning desire to get away and travel all the time!
What’s your favorite aspect about being part of this community?
I love the shared wisdom of a community. We are all living pretty similar lives raising families in greater Boston and have so much collective experience to benefit from. No one should be raising a family in isolation. In the old days , the “village” was automatic. But in this day and age, we need to actively work to build our own village. When you become a parent, there’s no manual. It’s just you, your partner if you have one, and google which is of course not a reliable source of wisdom. Community (especially a community of women) is powerful not just for the knowledge sharing but also for emotional support through the challenges.
What’s your favorite family activity to do in the area?
I’m a nature girl. I love being outside with my kiddos. Walks in the woods, playgrounds, farms, all the places where you can go to relish in the seasons together.
Tell us more about your background and what inspired you to open Little Beats?
I had a passion for babies and young children since I was a child. I took early childhood development at Newton South High School and worked in the preschool there. I grew up at The Dance Academy (a family business my parents started in 1998) and was assisting with the littlest kids since I was 10 years old. Into my teenage and college years, I was a babysitter and a camp counselor. I even started my own entrepreneurial pursuit, a backyard summer camp, called “Playdays with Emily”. I then went to BU and studied marketing, got a corporate job in consumer insights running focus groups of moms for large brands. This is where I got a glimpse into the lives of moms! Then when my niece was born 11 years ago, I was smitten and decided it was time to return to my passion. I had the idea of creating an early childhood division of The Dance Academy to help create amazing enrichment and community for locals moms with babies. From there it just snowballed!
What do you love most about Little Beats?
Little Beats was my first baby! This business is not work, it’s a passion. I love seeing how each person on my staff uses their unique gifts and interests to impact Little Beats and help us grow creatively into beautiful new directions all the time. I love fostering a culture that enables my team to have balance; to put energy into our personal lives so we can be healthy, show up, and do great things at work. Little Beats has also introduced me to so many wonderful friends. Some are clients, some are partners, and some are employees. I really feel lucky to have such a robust local network. Most of all, I am extremely grateful to have a career that gives me the flexibility to be the mom I always wanted to be.
It’s so hard to balance work and mom life. How do you maintain a healthy work life balance?
Ah, the great balancing act! It’s taken me a decade, but I’d say it’s a combination of three things. First, I’ve lowered my expectations in all areas. Don’t let perfect get in the way of good. Second, I stay really focused on my end goals (journaling helps me get clarity on this) and I try to make sure that evaryitng I am doing is contributing to that. Third, I hold really strong boundaries and let go of guilt. Some nights I am not there to put the kids to bed, some days I leave my husband with a full sink of dishes, and some weeks I really don’t move the needle on the business in the ways I was hoping. And it’s all going to be ok!
What is the best advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
Every phase has its joys and challenges. Savor each one, because man they do fly by.
What is the best advice you’d like to give a mom?
Your family needs you to be a sturdy leader so you better take damm good care of yourself! Self care is not an indulgence, it’s an imperative. Happy mom happy everyone. Also, follow Dr. Becky for your time of struggle, she is the most incredible parenting/life coach I’ve come across.
Thank you Emily for letting us get to know you! Little Beats is a Newton-based early childhood enrichment program offering fun and loving classes, camps, and birthdays for ages 0-5. Little Beats experiences are thoughtfully crafted to nurture all critical areas of development while giving families joy, memories, and support to thrive in the most formative years of their family’s life. Follow on instagram @littlebeatstda, contact Founder and Director, Emily Jabbawy at [email protected] and learn more at littlebeatstda.com.
