Image by Vânia Raposo from Pixabay 

When you’re a self-employed mum, you’re able to determine your own work time and have a flexible schedule, all while taking care of your kids. More and more mothers are deciding to be entrepreneurs. Moreover, most of them have successfully begun their company from the comforts of their house.

Being an entrepreneurial mom doesn’t only mean you’ll need to work hard. You’ll also have to start and stand behind your company. The journey won’t be easy. However, if you know how to manage your time, prioritize tasks, and remain organized amidst the chaos, you won’t have such a hard time. 

Just like motherhood, starting your own firm won’t get you any pats on the back or a big salary. Nevertheless, if you take the leap of faith, you just may find yourself the most spectacular experience in your life.

 

Neither Being a Mom or a Businesswoman is Picture-perfect

We all see “ideal” companies and “fantastic” families on social media. However, these will only make you place unrealistic expectations on yourself on how great your entrepreneurial journey and mamahood should be. However, when you first start taking care of your children, you realize it’s not about sunshine and rainbow. More like flames and dragons.

Both being a mum and having your own business are brimming with problems. When your children are small, they require a lot, like a lot, care and focus. The same is true for starting a new company. Honestly, you’ll ask yourself, “What I am actually doing here?” more than once. 

You’ll also experience various other doubts such as:

• “I’m not made for this.”
• “I have no idea where this is going.”
• “Why did I believe starting a company is a great idea?”
• “I just want to end this.”

Don’t let these thoughts get to you. While you can’t quit on your kids, you’ll likely want to quit your business journey a lot. You’ll feel stuck more than once. You won’t know what your next step should be. However, in both entrepreneurship and mamahood, you just need to keep moving until you discover what you can do. If something isn’t working, you should test out your next best option. This will give you the focus to progress forward.

Love Your Business

Since taking care of your kids drains your energy, you should work on a business that will give you energy and make you feel inspired, rather than deplete you further. Although, for most of us, it’s difficult to find out what this is. 

Maybe you aren’t even sure what your passion is. Having children does this to us. Take your time and self-reflect. What kind of business draws you in? Do you like social media management? Do you want to work remotely from your house? What type of work gives you energy?

Your Research Shouldn’t Stop You

When you’re starting your own business, one of the most important steps is to research your future customers and market in order to discover whether you have a product/market fit. Researching will also let you determine how much your future clients are willing to pay for your service or product.

However, it’s easy to get lost in research. Actually, most people become really stuck on this part, always waiting for the “perfect” conditions to begin their entrepreneurial journey. You just can’t prepare for everything and predict every issue that will come along the way. 

For instance, if you’re from Florida, you can do quick research on how to start an LLC Florida, and another on product fit, rather than exploring every single option there is.

Or, you can write a Lean Plan. You can complete this in less than a couple of hours and then explore other components of your business if need be.

There will never be a perfect time to start your entrepreneurial adventure. Don’t wait for it. Moreover, you’ll always find an excuse for waiting, but once you know what business you want to start and what it’s all about, go for it.

Find Kids-Work Balance

In order to have a company that helps other people (for a price), you’ll have to spend time and actually help them. Now, as a mother, you want to give your best time to your family. However, as a company owner, you also need to give your best to your customers. This can cause you issues as you try to balance between your kids and work. Take these tips in order to avoid them:

• Mom guilt may be real, but that doesn’t should give into it.
• Don’t miss that step that will take your business to the next level.
• There will always be a harder obstacle along the way.
• Thankfully, your prior experience will prepare you.
• No one actually cares for your business—only you.
• Trust that person who’s with you all the time — Yourself.

Also, you should schedule work and family hours. When you’re just starting your business, it can devour your whole days. While it is important to spend a lot of time and energy on your company, ensure you have time for your family as well.

Make the Most out of Your Time

In order to avoid missing out on your family and business, you’ll need to maximize and optimize your available time. For example, use your smartphone to remind you of scheduled tasks, whether it’s to put the laundry to washing, picking up your kids from school, or setting up a doctor’s appointment. This way, you won’t worry as much and free up your mind to focus on your company.

Besides what your kids demand every five minutes or less, you likely act as the head of the house. You won’t be able to work if small chores are constantly waiting for your attention. Moreover, many say they don’t have the time. Don’t listen to them. It’s not a matter of the number of hours, but how you use them and how you prioritize your tasks. Find a process that lets you prioritize in the most efficient manner, and suddenly, you’ll have time for your company.