When I had my first baby, I knew that my life would never be the same. I also knew that I didn’t want to give up my income and possibly my identity while raising my children. How do moms maintain the careers they love while being great parents at the same time?
I had to take a moment to take inventory of my skills, and then I found a business to start remotely from home. After trying (and failing) and learning from some of my fellow working moms, here are some useful tips for running a business as a mom.
Find a Mentor
Many successful entrepreneurs and business leaders have mentors, so it’s natural that you’d want to find one for yourself. A mentor can be someone who has experience in your field or wants to give back and help others succeed. The best practice is to find a mentor that is also a mother so that she can give you relevant advice.
Don’t Do It All at Once
My biggest mistake when starting out was trying to do everything at once. So many things needed to be done, and I wanted it all done right away. I thought the faster I could get things done, the better it would be for my business. But then my stress levels went up and down like a yo-yo. To be more productive, find a balance and learn to delegate tasks.
Stay in Touch
Sometimes, you may have to stay in touch with people far away or in different time zones. Make sure to check your phone regularly so that you don’t miss important calls from clients or colleagues. Use your phone’s world clock feature to stay on top of appropriate times to communicate, and try setting standing meetings at a good overlap time for you both.
Be Flexible & Organized
As a mom, you’ll likely have a lot going on. You might be taking care of kids and attending to their needs, but that doesn’t mean your business has to take a backseat. If you’re organized enough, you can make sure things run smoothly by being flexible when it comes to time and location. Business meetings can be held during nap times at home or at another neutral location like a coffee shop or coworking space if you need another level of focus.
Find Time for Yourself
Another useful tip for running a business as a mom is to take time to relax. Your business will run more efficiently and smoothly when you have time to give it the attention it deserves. That means refueling a few minutes each day—or even once a week. That could be sitting and enjoying a cup of coffee, visiting with friends at happy hour, going for a lunchtime walk, or watching an episode of your favorite show.
You’ve Got This
The main thing is to remember that you are not alone. Starting a business as a mom is not easy, but many other mompreneurs have done it before and can guide you along the way. You should be flexible with your schedule, stay organized, find time for yourself, and enjoy this journey because, at the end of the day, it’s all worth it!
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 