Many women have taken on, or would like to take on, the seemingly impossible task of running a business while raising children. Mompreneurship is an increasingly popular choice with women as a way to be their own boss, see an idea come to fruition, have the ability to work a family-friendly job, and, for some, a way to make ends meet when all else failed. The decision to run a business while raising a family evokes a range of emotions from excitement to outright fear that can leave you lying awake at night wondering how you are going to do it all.
At some point, you will want the stock targets of your business to grow in value, but you also want to spend time with your family, focus on your customers, take time to improve upon anything your business needs to improve upon, and find some time for yourself. It can all seem unmanageable, but it is important to remember that successful entrepreneurship for mothers is possible. You know that because so many women are craftily doing it. Here are some proven ways to grow a business while raising a family:
Remember Why You Are Doing This
When you are overwhelmed, remember why you started a business in the first place. Maybe you decided, after years of working for someone else, that you wanted to do your chosen career your own way. Maybe you had an idea that you knew would work. Maybe you wanted to determine your own schedule and be your own boss. Allow that reason to continue to motivate you. Be honest with yourself about what you want from your business, your priorities, as well as what you are willing to give up.
Take Care of Yourself
Eat healthily, get in daily exercise (preferably early in your day), find time to relax, and, though it is difficult, be sure to get good sleep. Also, make sure to set aside some time each week for calm reflection, whether through meditation, spiritual practice, or simply going over the previous week to see if there is any place you need to redefine priorities.
Clear, Focus, Streamline, and Schedule
Set a schedule the night before to know all that you need to do during the day. Spend a few minutes clearing your mind, and then start the workday by cleaning up your desk, or workspace, so that you can start fresh. Focus on one task at a time because too much time spent going back and forth between projects can limit productivity. Set routines if that helps you be productive; you may even want to streamline activities so that you perform specific tasks on specific days.
Grow Your Business Through Satisfied Customers
Though it makes sense to build your customer base, it is much more expensive to market to new customers than it is to sell new products to previously satisfied customers; therefore, you can focus on great customer service. Connect with customers through an email list. Thank them for using your products by a thank you note sent to their email, through a reward system, or by giving away t-shirts with your logo. Ask customers to rate your business and share your products and posts on social media. As your business grows, build a team to help you.
Make Time With Your Family a Top Priority
Be sure to set aside time each day to connect with your children. Days go by fast and work is demanding, which means it is all too easy to go through the entire day without spending quality time with the family. Scheduling activities with your children, eating meals together, making time for bath time, working out side-by-side, and building teams to share chores at home are examples of ways to spend some valuable time with your family.
Have Faith in the Power of Perseverance
Being a mom is hard work. So is being an entrepreneur. Putting the two together only makes it harder. It helps to remember what and who you are doing this all for. It also helps to remind yourself that, with determination and persistence, you can successfully grow your business, be your own boss, and raise happy and healthy kids.