Looking for tips and advice for your own small business (or maybe even how to start one?). Then be sure to visit the QuickBooks Women in Business Forum.
My entrepreneurial story is by no means unique – I was looking for a service in the community that didn’t currently exist – so I created it. I had intimate knowledge of the subject area, a fair complement of skills and experience to bring to the table and a vested interest in making it real.
Now, in what I’m sure is a shocking plot twist to most of you, what started as a fairly straightforward idea has now become an all-consuming exercise. This charming concept of a part-time occupation that could allow me to stay-at-home with my now 10-month daughter has challenged my definition of time management and the very sensibilities of my finely-tuned Type A personality.
In my short entrepreneurial career to date, my biggest challenge has been reconciling my full-time ambition with my part-time hours. I’ve always been a hard-working, committed employee but have been quite surprised with my intense passion and preoccupation for seeing my new venture thrive.
The wide grin that greets me when I collect my daughter from her crib in the morning reminds me of why I’m doing this in the first place. I then re-commit myself only to what I reasonably can do today versus everything I could do – there’s always tomorrow.
While my experience as a mommy entrepreneur has been limited, my learnings have been vast. I offer them as food for thought for any current or aspiring entrepreneurial moms – I hope you find them interesting or at least, comforting!
Personalize “balance” – Those that seek to empower women (and mothers), tell us we can have it all. I believe that’s true BUT we just can’t have it all at the same time! At whatever stage of life we’re in, we must decide what is most important and structure our lives and schedules accordingly. Prioritize daily and relentlessly.
Communicate your commitments – Work with your family to determine the boundaries of your work from the rest of your life (this is particularly important when your business is home-based like mine!).
Do this even at the micro-level in terms of how many evenings/weekends you will need, if any, to devote to your business. Keep a time log so you can measure the actual vs. your plan – while painstaking, it will keep you honest.
Manage these expectations with everyone who is important to you and demand that they call you out when the boundaries blur.
Readily accept help – You got this advice when you brought your first baby home. The same can be applied to the birth and nurturing of your business – accept help, in any form, whether it be from family, other moms or mommy-preneurs, or other professionals in the community.
Tell anyone who will listen – about your business, your ideas, your goals. Don’t underestimate the value of gaining a single insight or referral from anyone you meet. Often, random connections can have a surprising ripple effect.
Keep your eyes on the prize – At those times where you’re exhausted, scared and questioning all the choices you’ve made, return to your vision and the priorities you’ve determined for you and your family. Keep them physically present in your work space to help you chart your course!
Celebrate even the smallest achievements – Building a small business, no matter how small, is demanding and requires significant personal (not to mention, financial!) risk.
While the wins you experience as an entrepreneur might seemingly pale in comparison to former corporate achievements, celebrate all that you’ve accomplished – by you, for you. It’s good nourishment on the journey.
Featured Mom Business: Mommy A Go Go.ca
Paula lives in Guelph with her husband and 11-month old daughter. She is the founder of Mommy A Go Go.ca – a new online community for active moms in Guelph and Cambridge. The site is designed to help local moms navigate motherhood and their neighbourhood while offering opportunities to connect with other moms within the community.
Check out Paula’s business at: www.mommyagogo.ca
Having a online home business is an excellent option for mothers or fathers that stay home with young children. Not only does it allow them to spend more time with their children, but they are earning an income as well. Doing work from home makes it easier to deal with everyday life. There are doctor’s appointments, errands that need to be taken care of, emergencies, etc. http://www.millionairebusinessideas.com