Today we’d like to introduce you to Shay Claiborne.
Hi Shay, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey to building MilestoneMate started long before the company itself. I’ve always been rooted in child development and working with families, and through that work, I saw something that never sat right with me. Families were being told to “wait and see” when they had concerns about their child’s development, and in that waiting, too many children were missing critical windows for support.
That understanding deepened when I became a mother myself. I experienced firsthand how overwhelming it can be to navigate developmental questions, screenings, and services. Even with a background in child development, I saw how fragmented the system is. There’s a gap between identifying a concern and actually getting help, and families are often left to figure it out on their own.
Before MilestoneMate, I launched a children’s toy company focused on learning through play. That experience gave me direct access to parents across the country and helped me better understand what families were really experiencing day to day. Through those conversations, one thing became clear: parents don’t just need products, they need guidance, clarity, and support they can trust.
That insight led to the creation of MilestoneMate.
I built MilestoneMate to be a child’s progress partner from birth to five, a healthtech platform helping families and providers understand their child’s development, complete screenings, and actually move from concern to care. What makes it different is that it doesn’t stop at identifying potential delays. It helps families take the next step and ensures those referrals don’t get lost along the way.
Today, we’ve begun working with families, childcare centers, and providers, and we’re already seeing the impact. More families are completing developmental screenings, and more children are getting connected to services earlier. We’re still early, but we’ve proven that when you put tools in parents’ hands and build a system that closes the loop, you can change outcomes.
MilestoneMate exists because families deserve more than uncertainty. They deserve clarity, support, and a system that actually works for them and that’s what I’m building every day.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road and I don’t think it’s supposed to be when you’re building something that challenges how systems have worked for so long.
One of the biggest shifts for me was pivoting from a children’s toy company into building a tech platform as a non technical founder. I did not come from a software background, so I had to learn quickly, ask a lot of questions, and build the right support around me. What grounded me through that transition was my deep experience in child development and working directly with families. I understood the problem at a level that could not be taught, and that became my advantage. I knew what families were navigating, where they were getting stuck, and what was missing.
There has also been the challenge of building in a space that sits between early childhood, healthcare, and technology. Each system operates differently, and aligning them while still moving with speed has required patience and persistence.
Another challenge has been resources. Like many founders, I have been building with limited capital, relying on belief, early traction, and creativity to keep things moving. There have been moments where I have had to make hard decisions about where to focus, knowing everything cannot happen at once.
Introducing something new has come with its own challenges as well. Developmental screening and follow through is a real problem, but it is not always treated with urgency. Shifting mindsets from “wait and see” to taking action early takes time, trust, and consistent education.
On a personal level, balancing being a founder and a mother has stretched me in new ways. There are long days and a lot of unknowns, but also a deep sense of purpose that keeps me grounded.
Every challenge has sharpened the vision. Pivoting into tech pushed me to grow quickly, but it also made the product stronger because it is rooted in real experience, not just theory. Seeing families use MilestoneMate, complete screenings, and actually get connected to support is what reminds me that the work is making a difference.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Before becoming the Founder and CEO of MilestoneMate, I spent the last 10 years doing professional work in early childhood and early intervention, grounded in my background in child and family studies. I worked directly with young children with developmental delays, including children with autism, while partnering closely with their families every step of the way.
My role was never just about the child. It was about helping families make sense of what they were seeing, what it meant, and what to do next. I coached parents, supported behavior and communication development, and helped families navigate therapies and services that often felt overwhelming and unclear. I became known for translating complex developmental information into something parents could actually use and act on.
Any big plans?
Looking ahead, my focus is on growing meaningful relationships and expanding the reach of this work. I am excited about connecting with more pediatric clinics, child development centers, and professionals who are already supporting children and families every day.
A big part of what’s next is building a stronger network of people who care deeply about early childhood and want to improve how families experience support. I am looking forward to more conversations, more collaboration, and more opportunities to work alongside providers who see the same gaps and want to be part of the solution.
I am also planning for growth beyond Louisiana, especially in places where there is already momentum and shared interest in improving early childhood outcomes.
More than anything, I am looking forward to continuing to build relationships, learn from others in the field, and create more access and connection for the families we all serve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.milestonemate.app
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilestonemate and https://www.instagram.com/shayclaiborne
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MilestoneMate
