Start It Sunday is ForceBrands’ initiative designed to raise awareness around the ‘Sunday scaries’ (the anxiety that affects 76 percent of Americans that is caused by the impending return to work). The motivational campaign empowers people to fear no Sunday and take on every Monday.

Birch BendersWe checked in with Matt LaCasse and his wife Lizzi Ackerman, the founders of Birch Benders (the number one pancake and waffle mix brand in the natural channel and the fastest growing brand in the conventional channel) to learn how they get their weeks underway. And yes, making pancakes is a great way to kickstart the week.

ForceBrands: What do your Sunday routines look like?
Matt LaCasse: There are no typical routines for us as each week is different. We might be traveling across the country for a sales meeting, headed to a co-packer, or spending the week working on new product innovation. Because of this busy and unpredictable schedule, no two Sundays are the same. However, a Sunday night at home is a much-appreciated treat!

FB: How do you approach the start of each work week?
Lizzi Ackerman: Honestly, I don’t think we have ever felt the “Sunday scaries.” We look forward to the upcoming week and seek out the challenges that we will inevitably face.

Startups are full of highs and lows, but if the challenges scare you instead of excite you, then you are probably in the wrong field.

FB: What are some tips for motivating on Monday?
ML: When you are passionate about an idea, a new program, or a new product, it’s easy to be motivated. As entrepreneurs and founders, we rarely take the weekends “off.” By Monday morning, we are excited to come into the office refreshed and ready to work with our team on building the brand and setting it up for long-term growth and success in the future.

Learn more about their story by reading our exclusive interview.

And tell us, what’s your Sunday routine? Join our Start It Sunday movement.