How to be both a successful entrepreneur and a mother?
I want to start my own business. I am also a new mom. I've read many great articles on stories of women becoming successful entrepreneurs while also raising a family. I just want to take it day by day. Any mom's on here who have daily tips and tricks for juggling both their careers and their children? Look forward to your responses!
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Dec 23, 2015
Happy Christmas, madam Brandie Carles and may your dreams come true.I congratulate you for taking the bold steps to set up your business..most women when give birth to kids prefer to be house wives. But this is not you. The sky is the limit. To be an enterpreneur with kids, you need a strong mind set and a driven force to achieve your aims.you have to manage your time and your business as well Even though, your family comes first and your business second, you need to get on board serious minded employees to back you up. You do not need to do every thing yourself. please delegate duties and supervise them. You are the director of your business, and within one to two hours, roll your sleeves. Be busy as if the world will end today. Give room for GOD to act and things will be in your favour.
A basket of kisses to your baby.
Cheerio
David
Dec 18, 2015
Hi Brandie, I am doing this same thing! I work on my business while my baby naps. I also have found some other mamas to spend the day with so we take turns with the little ones and each get time to work. I think the most important thing is learning to sense how much you can get done over the course of a week, not a day. I have decided, for instance, that Mondays if I can catch up on emails and that's it, that's great. Tuesdays I focus on social media. Wednesdays I try to write a blog article and Thursdays I meet with clients (via skype, so my little one can be playing or sleeping), and Fridays I work on writing again. Finding balance this way has made a huge shift in how I am able to feel confident in getting work done, while also being present to play and nurture my baby! Breathing is the key!
Dec 9, 2015
Brandie- Thanks for the post. I am a father of two and consulting entrepreneur. Had a side business of my own (part time for about 7 years) then got serious with a business partner recently in the past 2 months. He and I have the same vision for our business. The vision and ideas are base on Gino Wickman's "Traction". What I am suggesting here is if you want time with your family and do what you want for business. Read the book, go to www.eosworldwide.com, and become a certified implementer for struggling businesses. You can set you own schedule, teach, coach, and take vacations with your family as you see fit.
Dec 9, 2015
Difficult point but, as Rebecca said, not impossible to handle with. I think planning is the key - knowing what you need to do right now because you've planned it yesterday/at the beggining of the week/on Monday morning. Simple calendar is inevitable even if you think you are able to remember everything. Leave some space in your mind by planning tasks earlier ;) My personal tip is to use Kanban tool (may be taken from here: kanbantool.com ) and write down all, I do recommend - all! things (even buying milk that I do every day and I shouldn't forget ;)). All the best to you, Brandie!
Dec 4, 2015
Congrats Brandie! Here's what keeps me sane while juggling parenthood, marriage, work, quiet time, and generally having a life:
1 - Deliberately grow slowly. If you grow quickly, you will burn out quickly because you will be working insane hours - 16-18 hour days. That's not sustainable.
2 - Absolutely take time for yourself EVERY day. Every day. You are your first priority. The baby is your second. Your business is your third. You need to be happy, healthy, and rested if are to succeed at anything.
3 - Set boundaries. I work from about 8:30am to 4:30 or 5pm Monday through Friday. I don't check email or work after hours or on the weekend, because that's what works for my schedule and sanity.
Good luck!!
Dec 4, 2015
Hi Brandie
There is no easy way to do this, but it is very possible. The most important thing you need is a strong support network (partner, family, childcare, friends). Organisation is also very important and heaps of drive and determination.
The one thing I will say is that as the main breadwinner, I have experienced life as many fathers do and it's given me an appreciation for the sacrifices they make, which we all seem to take for granted. There will be many ups and downs as well as feelings of guilt, which you will need to deal with.
Also - I've found as they grow my children are very interested in what keeps me so busy. I try to share what I do so they understand and like to think I am a good role model for them - and for equality :) Luckily I have a fabulous husband who supports my career 100% and takes much of the childcare responsibilities on.
There will be times when you have to make tough choices - make them balanced so both your family and career benefit.
Good luck!
Dec 3, 2015
First off - congrats are in order - both as the new mom and being an entrepreneur - possibly start your planning and thinking and organizing when little one goes down for the nap - and down for the evening - that way you will have uninterrupted time to get your business and planning in order
Once you have done that - start scheduling what you are doing in the business with your outings - you don't say what you are interested in doing - so say you sell products and deliver locally - when taking little one out with you to grocery shop or do some other type of errand - take the products and deliver -
Work around your schedule - it is hard to give you some great pointers when I don't know what you are planning on doing -
Dec 3, 2015
Hi Brandie! Congrats on becoming a new mom! I'm also self employed with 2 babies (5 and 2) and I actually created my brand out of the challenge or unique opportunity as I like to call it of juggling being a parent and business owner. Tiny Time Big Results is my brand and what I do is help business owners grow a profitable business working fewer hours. You have got some great advice. Wholeheartedly agree with having clear boundaries between business and family. And be sure you have a market for what you do/sell. Too many people avoid doing enough (or even a little) market research and then wonder why they're not making money. If you'd like more help, feel free to connect.
Best wishes
Yasmin x
Dec 3, 2015
Brandie this can be very difficult if you do not have the correct digital tools to use and and the correct team in place but it can be done and it can be very profitable.
Scott
Skype scis4money
405 905 4028
Dec 3, 2015
Hi Brandie, it is hard but not impossible. Time management is crucial, I personally manage my time right down to the minute, I even include buffer time for the unexpected. When working on my business, I am 100% focused on that, when spending time being a mother, wife/partner and attending to my family, I am 100% focused on them. Phone calls can be returned - time with your family cannot be replaced when the time passes. The hardest part is taking care of you and avoiding burnout - you are no good to your family or your business if you are unwell. I plan a weekly menu on Sunday's, I use my slow cooker a lot to make meals early in the day or plan quick and easy meals, I have my phone set to remind me to take breaks and eat - strange I know, but when you're focused on something you can easily forget to eat! I have snack boxes in my fridge made the night before should I need a quick snack and I drink plenty of water and coffee. Overwhelm can easily be managed with breaking down what you need to do - write a list, seeing each task through, communicating with people to let them know where you are at with stuff, take help when offered, with each obstacle or challenge you face find the positive in it, it's not always going to be great but there is plenty to learn! Hope you find this helpful - good luck!