My Best Advice For a New "Momtrepreneur"

From the outside looking in, being a momtrepreneur is a dream come true. Running your own business from the comfort of your home while getting to be with your kids all day sounds awesome, right?

Let me be the first to tell you how much I misunderstood the struggle of trying to run a business and a family at the same time. It was so much harder than I expected! Thankfully, you can learn from my mistakes. After many unproductive days and sleepless nights, I am here to give you my best advice for a new momtrepreneur.

If You’re Not Already a Planner- Become One!

There are so many moving parts to running a business and running a family. Not only do you have to keep up with project deadlines and make time to work on your business, you still have the daily to-do lists that keep your family running. Bills, soccer practices, and doctor's appointments don’t stop just because you have a business.

The only way to even come close to staying on track is to get good at planning. Blocking off work time, keeping track of important events like doctor's appointments and project deadlines, and even reminding yourself when it’s your turn to bring snacks to soccer practice are all ways that being a planner will keep you sane.

You can use a paper planner, Google Calendar, or an app on your phone- just use something!

Don’t Underestimate Your Time

When you sit down to make your plan for the week, give yourself some extra time as a buffer. Mompreneurs tend to overestimate how much they can get done during the day and underestimate how much time things take up.

I promise you, you will not get as much done during your baby’s nap as you think (and they will probably wake up early). Think it will only take 30 minutes to get dinner in the oven? Add at least another ten minutes to that estimate. Think you can schedule a whole month’s worth of social media posts while your kids are at soccer practice? Deduct about 20% from that.

Start paying close attention to how much time everything takes. I guarantee you it takes up more time than you think. Give yourself more time for tasks than you think you will need. I promise you, you will be glad that you did.

Realize That You Will Need Help

I don’t know about you, but I hate asking for help. As a mom, I feel like I should be able to handle anything that is thrown at me. What is it about being a mom that makes us feel like we’re invincible?

Unfortunately, you are not a superhero and will definitely need help to run your business and your family- and that’s ok!

Help comes in so many different forms and doesn’t have to be expensive. Perhaps your partner can take over night and bedtime duties so you can focus on your business at night. Maybe you can trade off babysitting with a mom in your neighborhood who is also running her own business, or even hire a sitter or use daycare a few times a week.

Some mompreneurs find a real benefit in hiring a housekeeper to take some chores off their plate and free up a few hours a week. Hiring a social media manager or blog post writer is also a great way to help your business grow. Don’t be ashamed or afraid to ask for what you need.

Communicate With Your Partner

As your business grows, your needs are going to change. Avoid arguments by keeping your partner in the loop about what is happening in your business and family life.

If you need him to take care of dinner, tell him. If you’re hiring a babysitter a couple of days a week, let him know. Don’t wait until you’re frustrated and folding laundry at midnight to let him know you need help. You are a team- act like it!

Find Like-Minded Support

Running a business is hard. Running a family is hard. Don’t try to do both by yourself! You need someone else who knows exactly what you’re going through.

Seek out Facebook groups for women and mom entrepreneurs (I promise there are a ton of them out there). Find one that meets your needs and connects you with like-minded women who will support and motivate you.

If you would like to learn more about me, or are interested in Beachbody, or Coaching, CLICK HERE to visit my website. CLICK HERE to learn more and sign up for my course, Rise & Shine.