Running a business is no walk in the park, especially while raising a family. Despite the challenges, the number of female entrepreneurs who are moms continues to rise. According to a recent report, there are 11.3 million women-owned businesses in the United States. Even more jaw-dropping is that one in three small business owners are moms.
Here are some tips on how to juggle motherhood and the American dream of owning a business.
1. Manage work life balance. You can do this by creating boundaries. It is important to set limits and goals, and stick to them. Setting boundaries to separate work and motherhood fosters efficiency in both. I try my best to give my kids undivided attention when I am home and when I’m at my Kumon Center my entire focus is on work. Make sure to ‘leave work’ when it’s time to be with your family. Turn off your email and truly be present for your children. Keep perspective and remember, there will always be more work to do, but your kids are only young once.
2. Make the business about more than profits. The inspiration for opening a small business may be a better life for your family, but in some instances your children themselves may inspire the business idea. I had a teaching background doing private tutoring and substitute teaching. My son was enrolled in a Kumon Math and Reading Center and I saw immediate benefits. I didn’t want the normal 9 to 5 job and I quickly realized that I could achieve the dream of being a small business owner, while pursuing my passion for education, by opening a Kumon franchise. Sometimes it can be difficult to balance it all, but at the end of the day, my business is about more than just profit. I truly enjoy what I do on a daily basis and I’m unlocking the potential of the children in my community, making it a better place to live.
3. Prioritize and organize. It’s important to have a consistent schedule so you can stay organized. Between school drop-offs, extracurricular activities, and school events, moms have a lot going on. Add to that, the many hats you wear as a small business owner. Owning your own business is the American dream and gives you the opportunity to manage your own hours. Make sure you’re making the most of your time by setting up a schedule for both yourself and your family. When you have a schedule of the things you need to do, it helps you prioritize, keep on task and stay focused.
4. Establish a support system. Whether your support team includes family members, other working moms or in my case, a franchisor, it’s important to have a good support system in place. Don’t feel like you have to go at it alone and make sure you ask for help when you need it. As a franchisor, Kumon has provided extensive training and tools to support my business goals. I often lean on other Kumon Instructors who are also mothers for advice and tips on how to improve my business. We are all small business owners and many of us are moms so it’s a wonderful opportunity to not only network, but share advice with each other. There are plenty of ways to meet other working moms through LinkedIn and your child’s school or daycare.
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