Being an entrepreneur, although quite challenging, can be a really fun and somewhat liberating experience. This is especially true if you’re a mum as well.
However, while the number of successful female entrepreneurs virtually skyrocketed in recent years, the sad fact is that they’re still not being talked about nearly as much as they deserve.
On the other hand, this matter needs to be talked about more, as there are mums out there who’d potentially like to become entrepreneurs themselves but who simply don’t know if it’s possible or even where to start. With that in mind, here are some useful tips on how to become a mum entrepreneur and thrive in business.
Define your working hours
As an entrepreneur, and especially the one that’s still trying to make a name for themselves, you might initially be tempted to work long and hard. While working hard is definitely mandatory, working for too long might not be the best idea. Usually, people think that they will achieve better results if they keep on working until all the work is done, but realistically, that’s not how things go. If you don’t clearly define your working hours, you run the risk of overworking yourself, which will only lead to burnout and the overall lack of productivity. So, to ensure that you don’t make such a crippling mistake, make sure you determine how much and how long you’ll be working every day, and stick to that schedule. Sure, making an extra effort from time to time is quite alright, but avoid turning it into a habit.
Create a professional setting
If you have decided to work from the comfort of your home, do know that simply setting up your laptop on the kitchen table or getting comfy on your living room sofa is not the best idea. Instead, you should try to create a semi-professional environment in your home and create your own comfortable working area. If you can’t dedicate an entire room for this purpose, at least create a little home office nook and set it up the right way. Aside from making sure you invest in comfortable, ergonomic furniture fill the space with other things that boost productivity. Finally, make sure you add some greenery, such as Feng Shui plants, to your home office setting, as houseplants are known to have an amazing positive effect on our mental well-being.
Decide where you’ll be working from
Another thing you need to decide is where you’ll be working from. While some people prefer to work from an office space, others find it far more practical to work from their homes. Especially considering the fact that you’re not just an entrepreneur but a mum as well, working from home might work better for you. If that’s not your vibe, however, do know that you can always check out coworking spaces and shared offices in your area. Alternatively, if you don’t mind the hustle and bustle of busy spaces, you can also choose to work from your local coffee shop. The most important thing here is to immerse yourself in the environment that will boost your productivity and get your creative juices flowing.
Make sure everyone is on the same page
Furthermore, you need to make sure that everyone is on the same page regarding your business efforts. What this means is that you need to talk to your partner and have them on board with your business efforts and time management. For instance, since you’ll probably spend half of the day with your kids, at least until your partner comes home from work, you should make a deal with them and have them be in charge of the kids the rest of the day. Simply put, make sure you’re not the only one that’s in charge of everything regarding the house, the kids and your business as well. Because, if that’s the case, chances are that you simply won’t have the energy to keep up with everything, and your business efforts will likely be the first ones to suffer.
Be bold and persistent
Finally, you need to realise that starting your own business is not as simple as many want you to believe. That being said, it’s definitely not impossible either. But you need to be aware of the fact that becoming an entrepreneur will bring forth certain challenges and that things won’t always work out the way you wanted them to or the way they’re supposed to. That’s why you need to prepare yourself for all the ups and downs that might come your way and refuse to give up. You will need to be stubborn and persistent in your efforts if you want to achieve anything, and refuse to back down even when things get particularly rough.
The road to success is always bumpy, filled with numerous obstacles and challenges. If you’re not ready to face them, you might want to reconsider your business decision. However, if you’re sure you can face them and tackle them head-on, you have the chances of reaching great success and making a name for yourself in the industry of your choice.
Emma is a business strategist-turned blogger. She lives in Auckland, New Zealand. Emma is a passionate traveller and yoga aficionado. She is in love with coffee, interior design, books, and good vibes. You can find Emma on twitter here.