Mamas. I salute you. Whether you are a working mama, a stay-at-home mama, or a mama with a side hustle– you are doing your most precious work and trying to balance it all. I have been all of the above at different times in my life. I was a working mama with a stressful, big job when my big kids were little. I became a stay-at-home mama in 2021 and started a business last year.
It is all hard, and each comes with challenges, stressors, and guilt. I have mad respect for every kinda mama out there. But in this post I will focus on the mamas who want to become a mompreneur– the mamas who have a business or side hustle.
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The rise of the mompreneur
There has been an increase of full-time stay-at-home mamas (SAHM) starting side hustles or small businesses. The rise of countless online opportunities has made it more accessible for us to explore entrepreneurism while balancing motherhood and household responsibilities. And it is beautiful!
So, how do stay-at-home mamas start a business and fit everything in? Well, I find that I can fit my work into the nooks and crannies of my day. I rise before everyone and work without distraction for a few hours. My littles still nap, so I work during nap time as well. I can carve out 20 hours give or take each week to devote to growing my business and serving my clients.
“The beautiful thing about entrepreneurship is that we get to set our own rules and write our own stories.” – Jenna Kutcher
But maybe you aren’t a morning person, so waking up at 4 am sounds as enjoyable as sticking a fork in your eye– that’s ok! Perhaps you have a few minutes while the kids eat breakfast or enjoy independent play. Minutes add up to hours, hours add up to days, and days add up to progress.
Flexibility
What I love most about running my own business is the flexibility. I am not chained to a desk or an office for 40 hours each week. I have the freedom and flexibility to work as little or as much as I want. During the summer, when the big kids are off school, my 20 hours/week is more like 10-15 because I want to soak up all the time I can, making memories with them.
There are so many ways to create flexible side hustles as a SAHM. I am a freelance writer, social media manager, and efficiency specialist/virtual assistant. I have created journals as my passion project and make digital products I sell on Etsy. Here are a few ideas of businesses you can start that will afford you flexibility and time:
- Virtual Assistant
- Freelance writer
- Graphic designer
- Consulting or coaching
- Handmade crafts– think Etsy
- Affiliate marketing
- Social Media Manager
The flexibility of these jobs allows you to focus on your primary role as mama.
Boundaries
The tricky thing about not having an office or working away from home is how often one can bleed into the other. Setting strict boundaries will help you balance everything.
Setting limits on the hours you’ll work, when your off time is, when you’ll last check your email, and your physical workspace are all important ways to set boundaries. When you are on as a mom, be on as a mom– turn off the distractions and focus on the moment right in front of you.
Work with your spouse to balance your work time so you can have uninterrupted time to work on your business and not feel guilty for shifting responsibilities. You can be a mom and an entrepreneur. It is possible to do both.
Finding balance, flexibility, and boundaries in your schedule can help you create a beautiful dream: one where you get to stay home with your babies and start a business. I find so much joy in staying home. I never thought I could do it, but I love it. I am also someone who loves goals and work, to be honest. I knew I couldn’t sit with an idle mind, so while I am still a full-time SAHM, I am also growing a business.
Now that you’ve learned how it is possible to balance being a full-time mama and an entrepreneur, maybe you need a little help. Do you have goals but need to figure out how to get across the finish line? Whether that’s in business, fitness, or just life– I got you. Here is a Goal Setting Guide to help you navigate the plan to get you to the next level.
