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!
Dec 3, 2015
Brandie, congrats as a new mom and enjoy your new born baby.
Now, as a mom for twenty-four years, who has also worked as an entrepreneur in the past and presently, since three years. I believe every mom is an entrepreneur, this goes for married and single moms, so you are already in training school.
As a mom and entrepreneur, I have worked under strenuous, unusual circumstances, and I got through. My first upcoming book will soon be released.
I cannot tell you what to do. To me entrepreneurship is a personal, intense experience one can only find out by exploring the unknown.
And don't be afraid to mess up and get messed up. I wish you all the best.
Dec 3, 2015
Women have wonderful opportunities these days. Especially, to give advice to other mothers on how to be entrepreneurial based upon what they have done. One great site to check out is "Skinny Mom". I know a woman who is a stay-at-home mother with two children who has built a very nice business using coupons to get great deals on products that other mothers and women in general use, and then offering them at discounted prices to local mothers and women on E Bay. Another gal with four children bakes specially decorated cakes for all occasions that she sells to her affluent neighbors and others. I think the opportunity for you is unlimited - do it!
Dec 3, 2015
As a mother of 5 and owner of two businesses, I can tell you it requires hard work. Sometimes what we read online is like the glamorous projects of being a mother and entrepreneur, but the reality it can be overwhelming. I most definitely say for me it's prioritizing, planning, and organization of your time. I juggled from running my business through my phone and tablet on the second day after giving birth to my daughter. My employee had to come get their checks from my room! Then you have meetings sometimes virtually and onsite. Oh boy! I definitely like to talk with you more. My new client is a new mom as well, and just had her baby, but want to get started with her business. Between not over stressing your body and going after your dream, it's hard, I can tell you that.
Dec 3, 2015
Hello Brandie; congrats!
I am father of two and I know how great it feels to carry that little, beautiful thing in your arms.
Too answer your question, I think there is no magic recipe, but one thing is for sure, do not allow your venture take you away from your family life. It's very easy to fall in the trap. Be with your family at times when you should be with them and make it a point in any circumstances.
The rest of the time, do not start your business until you have identified what it is you want to do. When you have identified this, research thoroughly and cross-check every piece of information. As such you can pinpoint the specific problem you should solve. Then build a solution as a concept and seek people who can help you validate it: angel investors operating in your field (do not ask for money; just advice), field experts (executive working at companies in your field), and your future customers. Explain what you want to do and gather feedback. When you have answered all your questions, keep in touch with those who helped you, especially angel investors and target customers. Then find a way to start delivering your service/product to early adopters and experiment with your user experience. At some stage, you'll have enough validation to decide on how you fund your new business.
Never be alone; reach out to people. Only interconnectivity will lead you to success.
This is hard, long work and you will feel that it is like vacuum. Do not let that distract you or take you apart from your family!
Feel free to connect if you feel this advice is valuable.
Good luck
Seb
Dec 3, 2015
Brandie - Very cute profile picture. Keep that pic in mind at all times.
Your question is not just for Mom's, it's for entrepreneurs like me that want to see their kids grow up - and not from their office window or pics on their bulletin board. For me, I left corporate america to be entrepreneurial and watch my kids grow. Since then, I haven't missed many baseball games, dance recitals, orchestra concerts etc.
I recommend two principles: first, on your calendar, a kids event is an unmovable appointment. Clients will work around them.
Second, I think it was a Bill Gates quote: "When I want to get something done, I give it to a busy person". He was talking about the fact that the busier people find the way to get things done in the most efficient way possible. Find your inner efficiency and time management.
Do those two things, and you'll be a great Mom and a great entrepreneur.
Good luck - let me know if we can help in any way.
Dec 3, 2015
ALIGNMENT NOT ABANDONMENT. THE "TO DO" LIST SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE THE BABY FIRST: Brande, Most women attempt to separate the business from the baby; that is a huge mistake. A baby, a child, and an emerging adult wants ATTENTION. They don't care how they get it. Teach them and you learn. Learning turns them on, so let them participate with you as you learn to start and manage your business. Let them know it is (our) business. As quiet as it is kept, children are smart and approach things with a pure mind. Certainly, you will have to set aside time that is for the business and time that is strictly for the baby/child but it should never be residual time, make it a part of your psyche. Who knows you might be raising your best employee and partner.
Dec 3, 2015
Hi Brandie- Congratulations on being a new mom, and on seeing that the entrepreneurial world. I'm doing something that is perfect for new moms to work from home, on their own schedule as little or as much as you want, and doesn't leave you hanging for training and personal development along the way. If this sounds like it might be a fit for you and your family, please shoot me an email privately.