Being a mom and a business owner can be overwhelming sometimes. No, more like most of the time.
So how do we do it? How are there so many successful mom business owners out there who constantly juggle the demands of their businesses and their family life?
Feeling overwhelmed comes with the territory. But we chose this life because we know we can handle it. Even though it’s tough and constantly challenging and sometimes you want to rip your hair out and scream as loud as you can, we love our lives and wouldn’t change them for anything.
I’m getting ready to have my second baby soon and I’ll admit that I’m in a bit of denial about how things will change once he gets here.
I’m going to be with him around the clock for quite a while. I also want to spend as much time as possible with my toddler and my husband, too. So where does that leave my business on the priority list?
Fortunately, I have an amazing team that I can rely on to keep things afloat while I’m taking some time off after the baby is born. My team is there not only to keep the business systems flowing smoothly but also to make sure everything and more importantly, everyone, still gets taken care of.
But I’m confident that things will be fine. My schedule will be all over the place and my routine severely altered but I see this as one more challenge that I will overcome, learn from, and be stronger because it happened. And the best part is that I will have an amazing addition to my already wonderful family.
Mom entrepreneurs tend to be so successful because we are able to take on challenges, adapt, regroup, and carry on with what we know needs to be done. We prepare the best we can and are as detailed and thought out as can be, but since nothing is certain in business or family and things constantly change, we are also flexible and can refocus at the drop of a hat.
In an article from Business Insider, Kevin O’Leary from ABC’s Shark Tank revealed that all the companies that were producing profits for him were run by women. When he asked one of the female CEO’s why she thought that was, she stated “You know, if you want to get something done, give it to a busy mom.”
Truer words have never been spoken!
Let’s dive into the reasons why “mompreneurs” are crushing the competition.
Reason #1: We have a schedule but are masters of flexibility
As parents and business owners, we are required to (or at least attempt to) maintain some sort of schedule. You can plan to work during the two hours every day that your toddler naps, but some days she’s going to wake up early. Then you’ve got to push some things aside and find another time to work on them. Same as if you’re deep into writing the first draft of your book and your assistant notifies you that your best client has called with a complaint and needs to speak with you directly. We keep the schedule but maintain flexibility when things come up unexpectedly.
Reason #2: We know how to manage our time and prioritize
This goes along with maintaining flexibility within your schedule in that we are masters of time management and prioritizing. After all, we run both a business and a family, and that takes up a lot of time! Although it may not always feel like it, you can achieve anything you put your mind, time, and energy into, whether it be for your family or your business, or both!
Reason #3: We are experts at multi-tasking
While multi-tasking is not always recommended, I believe some things can handled very well by multitasking. You can listen to a business podcast while taking a shower or making a dinner, or you can get your workout in by chasing your kiddos around at the park instead of going to the gym.
Reason #4: We are able to see the big picture and the daily needs
Just like you know what needs to get done every day to maintain your household, you know what systems need to take place to keep the daily operations of your business in tact. But you can also see the big picture whether it’s teaching your children to be nice to others to instill good morals or following your business plan to ensure you reach your long term business goals.
Reason #5: We are organized
The word “organized” is a relative term, but as moms and business owners we absolutely hold a degree of organization in our lives and our businesses. Your business is organized in the way you’ve set it up just like your house is organized in the way that works best for you and your family.
Reason #6: We are patient
Mom entrepreneurs can reason with diverse populations. Executives and toddlers tend to have a lot more in common than people understand. Sometimes you have to reason with a difficult client and sometimes you have to put your toddler in time out 45 times until they get the message. Patience is a virtue that every parent learns and that most business owners possess to ensure success in their business.
Reason #7: We are resilient
Moms know how to bounce back like no one else. Whether it’s our bodies after having a baby or our minds when feeling burnt out from working a 10 hour day, we know how to be present and there for whoever needs us the most when the time comes.
Reason #8: We are constantly learning
Mom business owners are constantly reading, listening, and talking to others in all fields they are involved in. Whether it’s participating in discussions with the local mom’s group, reading a new book about productivity, or forming a new business partnership, we are constantly learning and implementing new ways to make our families more happy and our business more successful.
Reason #9: We have energy
Our lives never stop for any reason. We run businesses and families around the clock. There is very little downtime that we are able to take for ourselves (although we MUST find some at least every so often). But we keep going no matter what. Moms don’t get sick days and neither do business owners. Your responsibilities are still there and you must still do the best you can to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Reason #10: We are persistent
Reasoning with a toddler (or teenager for that matter) can take just as much out of us as negotiating a sale. But we persist on when we know we have to and don’t give up just because someone tells us “no”.
Reason #11: We are creative and imaginative
Business owners are creative in their ability to solve problems, build systems that work for them, and produce new ideas to promote continual growth. Imagination and creativity are a consistent force within children and parents are typically active participants in everything from playing along with an imaginary friend to creating artwork or music.
Reason #12: We are good at managing money
Balancing one budget can be tough but balancing two budgets requires a master mom entrepreneur. We are pretty good at deciding what we do and don’t need to spend money on. Although a splurge here or there can happen, we typically make smart decisions about our money and know what the best move is for both our business and our family finances.
Reason #13: We are great at networking and communication
Talking with other moms about what kind of stroller they use or food they buy can be just as important as networking with an important influencer in your field. Both are helpful to you, just in different ways. Communicating with your spouse about who is taking the kids to school tomorrow can be just as important as communicating with your CFO about the quarterly financials.
Reason #14: We know when to ask for help
You can’t do everything. Every successful mom entrepreneur knows when to call in the reinforcements. Sometimes you need to meet that client deadline, so you have to call the sitter to come and help out for a few hours. You know you can’t do every task related to your business, so you know when it’s time to delegate and outsource tasks that you don’t need to be doing yourself.
This is not to say that men don’t exhibit these qualities. Some of them absolutely do. I’m simply expressing my opinion and some of the research out there to back it up that mom entrepreneurs tend to have the qualities needed outshine all the rest and are amazing at whatever they decide to do.
I’d love to hear your comments and suggestions below so I can keep adding to this amazing list. What are some other qualities you have as a mom entrepreneur that aren’t included this list?
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