Attention Moms: How to Know You're Ready to Start Your Own Business
Is there such a thing as mompreneur readiness? I don't know if we ever truly feel "ready" to take a huge leap of faith, especially as a mom beginning a whole new career. I think you have to put yourself out there. You have to be willing to let go of the fear. You have to believe that what is truly in your heart deserves exploring. My name is Mya Zoracki and I started Feed Your Soul Bakery out of my studio apartment in Hoboken, New Jersey 11 years ago. I can't say I had it all figured out. And I can't say that I had all my recipes ready to go when I even started selling cookies. What I can say is that I felt this innate need to do something in this world to help people that needed it. In my former life, I was a trader on the American Stock Exchange. I literally stood on a box in a crowd of 18 men and traded all day. I went to law school in the evenings on a bet. Four hours a night, four nights a week, for four years. I completed Law School and earned my Juris Doctorate. It was time to start the next chapter. What could I do to make me feel alive? How could I build a life that I felt passionate about? What could I do that would feed my soul?
The Big Idea
I tend to live with my head in the clouds and my feet on the ground, so I knew in order to make a difference, I had to create a timeless, simple foundation….cookies! Every package would include oven-fresh cookies, an inspirational card, and a means to give back. I became a mad scientist in the kitchen. If you ordered on Monday, you had a different recipe than Wednesday. I bought butter and eggs and filled my refrigerator every single day. Tins and boxes were delivered on flatbed trucks to my "loading dock," apartment 5B.
The Hustle
I hit the pavement and talked my way into local supermarket chains, coffee shops, gyms, and other franchises. I had marketing materials, contract agreements, and bar codes. I was my own sales team, R & D, customer service, and distribution. I even had a very patient UPS driver who would pick up the orders daily then wheel the packages down the hall of my apartment building. All local deliveries were made with my Jeep Wrangler and a small hand truck. I had days where I felt an incredible energy of success, and other days where I could not imagine how I got myself into this chaos. The one thing I always knew was that I had to keep moving. And so I did.
Here are eight pieces of business advice for my fellow mompreneurs:
1. Do something you love.
When you are passionate about what you do, your energy is contagious, and your power is greater than you know.
2. Set expectations and be realistic about your goals.
Understand the difference between a hobby and a business.
3. Maintain structure and consistency.
It's so important to focus.
4. Believe in yourself.
Trust your instincts.
5. Don't be intimidated by what you don't know.
We live in a world where you can find answers to basically anything, at your fingertips. Know that you can do this and that you will figure it out.
6. Define your own success.
Build a life you are proud to call your own.
7. Don't be afraid of the word "failure."
It's just a word, after all.
8. Deal with mom-guilt.
Being a mom is a gift, but having something for yourself is so important. If you are fortunate enough to balance both, you know the struggle. When you are working, you can't help but feel "guilty" that you are not with your children. I try to remind myself that it will be ok. My kids will be ok. It is still possible to be completely present and run a large company. At the end of the day, they know that they are loved beyond words. They do not see me as a "working mom," but as an individual who has a passion for what I do every day and this is so important.
Silence the Doubts
I have had countless days of asking, "How did I get myself into this?" and "I really don't know how I am going to do this." There is a certain power in knowing that you can, and you will do this. As for mompreneur readiness? Work towards your goals and always strive to strike a balance between the responsibility of understanding practicality and your passions. While there is no natural balance, you will figure it out along the way. And you will be ready.