Running A Business Alongside Motherhood Is A Rollercoaster

I love being a mum and I love running my own business. Running a business alongside motherhood sits together well – most of the time – not always but I don’t expect anything to be an always!  Balancing the demands of motherhood, entrepreneurship, and paid employment can be a rollercoaster of emotions, from moments of triumph to bouts of self-doubt. It’s normal to feel them all.

Let’s delve into the unique emotional issues faced by mums who run their own business. I’ll share real-life stories and provide practical tips to navigate these complexities with resilience and grace.

The Joys and Struggles of Being a Mumpreneur

Firstly, I’m not a fan of the world ‘mumpreneur’ but it does encompass what we’re talking about here so let’s go with it. Being a mumpreneur is a labour of love that asks you to combine everything that motherhood brings with everything your own business brings – that’s a lots of things – the constant juggling of childcare, work commitments, and business responsibilities can take a toll on even the most resilient women, leading to feelings of guilt, overwhelm, and imposter syndrome.

It’s my job to make sure that everyone I mentor has all the tools they need to prevent this. We work together to make sure that work and family fit – most of the time – so that there is way more joy than stress and that running a business alongside motherhood feels really good.

Real-Life Stories and Solutions:

Guilt Over Balancing Work and Family

Emma, a mumpreneur running a successful online boutique, felt guilty over not being able to devote enough quality time to her children. We worked together to help Emma set boundaries and communicate openly with clients which meant that she was able to carve out the time she wanted with her children, Emma has a better work-life balance. Mindfulness practices help her stay present and appreciate precious moments with her kids and she now puts her phone away at every meal time!

Imposter Syndrome in the Workplace

Mia, a lawyer and trainee Mother Circle Guide struggled to believe that she had the skills she needs to hold space for women because she finds them so competitive at work. By allowing herself to be supported by our community and by talking to us about how she feels, she has realised that she can learn to be as good at this new skill as all of her existing ones. She has re-framed her self-talk around her skillset and her relationship with women.

Overwhelm from Multitasking Responsibilities

Sarah, works in the NHS and wants to run her own retreats for mums. She feels overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks on her plate. To combat this overwhelm, Sarah and I worked out some easy to implement time management strategies that made a huge difference. She regularly assesses her lists and makes sure that only the things that have to be done are one them. This small step has made a big difference to how she feels and how she manages her tasks.  It has helped streamline her workflow and reduce stress so that she has time to focus on her retreat business.

There are many ways to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of running a business and motherhood:

Practical Tips for Emotional Well-being:

• Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and family time to maintain balance.
• Practice Yourself: Prioritise activities that recharge you and keep your cup full.
• Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to ask for help from friends, family, or fellow mums who have a business. We’re here for you!
• Embrace Imperfection: Let go of perfectionism and embrace the growth that comes from making mistakes.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may be because running a business alongside motherhood is something to be really proud of.

Remember, you are capable, you are worthy, and you have the power to thrive in both your personal and professional life. There are many mindset and practical tools that I share within the Mother Circle & Retreat Mentorship that ensure work, business and family life fit together in a way that works for you.