In writing my book, Business & Baby on Board, I’ve had the privilege to interview some amazing women who have combined their entrepreneurial traits with motherhood, so I thought I’d share some of the lessons we have in common.
Like many ‘mumpreneurs,’ I started my business after I became a mum (don’t ask me why I thought starting a new business while I was getting used to having a baby would be a good idea). I was looking for a way to combine my professional experience with being at home — and freelancing seemed the way to make it all work.
Some of the women I’ve interviewed had already established a business before throwing children and step-children into the mix, but there were still common threads. This started with wanting to find a career where we felt valued for our contribution, even if it meant working with a child on our lap, taking a sleeping baby to meetings or working at midnight when the house was quiet.
Here are five of the lessons we shared:
- Flexibility – is one of the main drivers for self-employment, whether it’s being available for your child’s sports carnival or simply working when it suits you.
- Be social – working alone with only a child/ren for company can be a lonely existence, so attend meetings with clients, go to work events and find a community where you feel comfortable, whether online or off, so you can share experiences and let off a bit of steam when needed. Not only do you get to exercise your adult communication skills, but you also stay in the loop for industry updates.
- Perfection is elusive – striving to be the perfect parent or the perfect business owner is hard enough because it’s not really possible, but when you try to be the best at both jobs, it can be very stressful. Find what works best for you and stick with it. If that is a combination of childcare/school and work, great; if it’s waiting until all children have started school and working school hours only, great; or if it’s only working on the business when the children are asleep, that’s great too. The point is to find the place where business and motherhood combine and then make it yours.
- Some days are write-offs – this goes for anyone doing anything, but it came up in my interviews a lot. Some days just don’t go to plan and there is no point fighting them. There’s always tomorrow.
- Parenting opens up new skills – how are your boardroom negotiation skills? Now think about brokering a deal with a two year old and answer the question again. Being a parent arms you with a whole host of skills that are vital in business. Don’t underrate them.
What lessons have you learned as a mum in business?
