4 TIPS FOR ASPIRING MOMPRENEURS
Raising a family at the same time as running a business is hard. At times you’ll have a nursing baby in one hand and a laptop in the other. You will be chatting on the phone to a client acting like you’re totally composed when the house around you looks like a bombsite. It will be chaotic at times but it will be so rewarding so don’t let the challenge of being a mompreneur put you off. If you have kids and you dream of starting your own business, the following are some tips that will help to improve your chances of success.
Education
Getting the education you need in your chosen field is essential if you want to reach your maximum potential. It might be a little scary going back to the books now that you’re a mom but don’t let that put you off. There are millions of adult learners returning to college each year so you never have to feel alone. In terms of finances, make sure you look into Earnest private student loans because they can usually offer some great advice on financial assistance that will help you balance the books at home and at school.
Take Time for Yourself
Yes, you are stretched to the absolute limit. Yes, you are trying to manage a household and a business all at the same time. It may be mayhem all of the time but that is not excuse for missing out on ‘you’ time where you can work on your personal development. Even if it’s just a couple of minutes each morning and evening, it’s important to find a quiet place where you can switch off and be left alone with your thoughts. Take yourself out for physical exercise whenever you have the opportunity and do not forget to call a babysitter and spend time with your partner on the weekends. If you don’t make time for yourself, everything will eventually come crumbling down as the stress will become too much to handle.
Know You Cannot Avoid Guilt
Your child has a football game that you said you would go to, but you also have your accountant calling you non-stop for your tax returns. You said you’d go for dinner with friends but you’ve double booked a call with an important client that gives you a lot of business. Unfortunately, given the nature of being a mom and running a business, you’re going to have to make some difficult choices that will upset people. It won’t be nice but you have to learn to not feel guilty as you are trying your best.
Strong Support Network
Just having your partner, family and friends is not going to be enough. If you want to achieve success in your personal and working life, you are going to need to make sure you have some people in your sphere that have been where you are. Reach out to other mompreneurs through online forums and social media. Talk to them about their experiences and obstacles they found hard to overcome. Are there any resources they found good to help them get into a better flow? Or is there anything they’d do differently if they were starting out again? The information and help you’ll receive will be invaluable so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.