Being a mother is one of the most rewarding roles you will every do. No one will love your baby the way you do. However that doesn’t mean that just because now you are a mum, that you can’t aspire to want and do more than just be a full time care giver. Want Women are out there running a business and being a mother.
Look, I get it! I have been there myself. I have and still am raising babies and businesses. At times it is relentless. It seems like an impossible task. I 100% understand if you are question whether now it the right time to launch a business. I know because I have been there myself! Asking; is it worth it… will it succeed… am I crazy!
That’s precisely why I wanted to share with you the top 5 tips I have come to realize are essential if you want to be a mother and a business owner. I have lived these myself, so I know!
- Stop Waiting For The Perfect Moment
The perfect moment to launch a business, the perfect moment to write that post, make that call, pitch my services. We are mothers, our life is made up of a whole host of imperfect moments. That combine to making the most perfect memories. The same too applies to starting that business. Jump in, get messy, learn, adapt, creative. Stop sitting on the side lines waiting for everything to align. Life is busy there is never going to be one, so just roll your sleeve up and get cracking.
- Time Block Everything
Running a business and raising babies, requires structure and routines. If you don’t make a point of craving out time, the day will run away with you. You will have achieve nothing. Spinning plates is a skill all us mothers have. However if you want to make progress, then you need to be focused. But that doesn’t just mean on your business. Schedule out blocks of time for work. Make the effort to schedule out time to be with the family and also me time. Be present in the moment you are in. By blocking out time. It means you can be focused on the task at hand. Whether its work related or playing with the kids.
- Come To Terms With Mum Guilt Or Guilt Full Stop
It’s a real thing, every mother will stuffer from it at some point. However beating yourself up for missing bedtime. Not taking them to the park or other activities does not mean you’re a bad parent. A study from Harvard reports. Being a working mum doesn’t only cause no harm to your kids, but it also increases their future employment prospects. Equally drop the guilt in your business. There will be times your family needs to take priority. Or when family life stalls your progress. Just remember one of the reasons you went into business was to be able to adapt as your family needed. Instead of being beholden to the rise and grind of a 9-5
- Miracles Don’t Happen Overnight
Be prepared to take slow small steps to build your business. When you are juggling your time between family and work. Craving out the early stages of your new venture, may well be based on snatches for time whilst the baby sleeps. Between school runs and activities. I get you want to be all in. That you are keen to get it up and running. That you feel that if you don’t it won’t happen, won’t be successful. So be all in, but do it in the hours you can dedicate to working on your business. Do it in the 20 minutes you can spare whilst you wait to collect the kids. Don’t be so hard on yourself and remember, you are building it around raising babies.
- Ask For Help
It takes a village to raise a child. That village is there to help when you are raising a business as well as a child. Don’t try and do it all yourself. You are already a superwomen. However there are literally people who will say I wish you had asked, I would have gladly helped, So get over yourself and ask them. Make use of them. Plan out when you are going to need help and get an idea of what type of help it is that may be required. It could be help with child care. It could be coach to bounce things off of. Or a mastermind group of likeminded individuals who will help you stay accountable. Who ever it is, work it out, reach out and never be scared to ask for help.
“Being a mom gives you superpowers for doing stuff you don’t want to do.”
Solly Baby founder Elle Rowley
Being a mother and a business owner, is a tough job but so rewarding in many ways. There are plentiful tips out there around launching and running a business but not many focus on the challenges faced as a mum.
If you are in the throws or raising businesses and babies, what the toughest challenge you’re currently facing?
