Mompreneurs Can Have It All: Success Secrets for Small-Business-Owning Moms

First and foremost, it's important to make something clear. Being a mother is a full-time job. Being an entrepreneur is also a full-time job. Being a mompreneur? That is a total feat.

Women today, especially women raising a family and running a business, have a lot on their plates.

They're the glue that binds the household. They stay up late planning meals for the next day, baking chocolate chip cookies for a bake sale, consoling their teenage daughter after a breakup, or doing a load of laundry ahead of tomorrow's field trip. They get up early to make the most of the brief time before their kids wake up, using it to have a quick breakfast, pack lunches, send out a few emails, and get ready for a full day of managing a second full-time job: Running a small business.

Mompreneurs do it all — and they're expected to do it with balance. They start, raise, and nurture a family while also building a young but growing small business empire. It's not an easy undertaking, but nothing worth having comes easy anyway, right?

That's why, as we approach Mother's Day, it's important to celebrate and support the incredible mompreneurs who work hard every day to raise their families and delight their customers. As you manage your business, stock inventory, pay the bills, balance the books, do your own marketing, pack your kids' lunches, get them to school, and make sure their homework gets done (and take care of yourself, too), it's never been more important to remember: You got this, and you're already crushing it.

Achieving your business goals and your family goals is totally possible — just ask the one in three entrepreneurs who, today, are also a mom.

To help the mompreneurs out there make a positive impact, both in their home and in their business — we compiled some of the best tips and secrets to help you hit your goals, achieve balance, and find tons of happiness along the way.  

Acknowledge Your Own Strength

You already possess a ton of incredible inner strength. But when you became a mother, that strength was amplified to an otherworldly level. Your world completely changed, and suddenly it became perfectly clear what you needed to do to take care of the people and the world around you — no matter what.

That clarity, purpose, and awareness bring a lot of strength — the kind that's capable of conquering the unknown and overcoming life's biggest challenges. Never forget about that strength, because it's something that gives you a competitive advantage in life and in business.

Leverage the Skills You Have From Your Other Job (Being a Mom) to Run Your Business

Did you know that 80% of women started their business after having children? That means you're coming to the entrepreneurship game with a lot of great skill sets already under your belt.

Seriously. There's a lot of knowledge you can transfer over from your experience as a mom and use to your business's advantage. Here are just a few of those amazing mom skills you already have that'll help you be a total boss entrepreneur.

You Determine Your Own Path

You already know there are thousands of parenting books out there on every topic imaginable. Everyone wants to tell you the "right" way to parent, but the reality is that nothing can truly prepare you for life with a tiny newborn (or a toddler, tween, or teenager). Instead, you have to constantly adapt and evolve based on what works and what doesn't. The same can be said for entrepreneurship. While there are tons of people preaching the "right" way to run a business, it's more important that you trust your instincts and remain nimble.  

You're In Control

As a mom, you're the gatekeeper of the household. You know when it's time to get more groceries or diapers. You know each of your child's food preferences and school schedules. In short, you decide the when, how, and what. As a business owner, there's no pushing a job up the chain of command — making decisions and getting things done is entirely up to you and how you want to do it.

You Know How to Negotiate

Moms are among the most effective negotiators in the world. Two more bites of broccoli in exchange for dessert? One more chapter from the science book for an extra half hour of video games?

You know exactly what needs to happen to get your kids to do what you want them to do. Use those same expert negotiation skills in your business, especially when it comes to working with suppliers.  

You Know When It's Time to Get Help

Sometimes, you just need a break. You know when it's time to bring in a cleaner or hire a babysitter so you can have time to yourself. Remember that feeling, and remember you can always find helping hands for your business, too.

Tips for Mompreneurs

You know how to run your business, how to raise your kids, and the considerable skills you bring to the table. But here are a few don't-forget tips to help you balance business life with mom life.

Take Care of Yourself

There's no easy way around it — as a mompreneur, your own wellbeing often takes a backseat to your kids and your business. At every moment, it feels like you're needed somewhere or by someone, which can make "me" time feel like a totally nonexistent concept. Nearly 88% of mompreneurs spend only three-to-four hours on their hobbies every week. Another 67% work out less since starting a business.

Nobody can function at their best without taking some time for themselves. Self-care is vital, and your ability to crush it as a mom and as an entrepreneur depends on it.

Always look for ways to be strategic about your time. If fitness is your happy place, explore an app that brings the gym to your home, like Peloton, Aaptiv, or Sweat. Or, if sitting down with a new book is your cup of tea, set an hour or two aside to completely unplug after the kids are in bed.

Whatever you choose, remember that the time you set aside for yourself needs to be 100% dedicated to you. That means no multitasking or answering work emails on your phone while on the treadmill. Devote time to yourself in whatever way makes you happy.

Build a Support System That Believes in You

As a mom, you already know how important a support system is. From calling on your parents to babysit last minute (if you're lucky to have them nearby) to texting your partner in crime to open the store when you're running late, these are the people in your life that can lift you up when you're just not feeling it. Those days do happen.

If you haven't already, spend time building a network both for your family and your business. Start interviewing babysitters if you don't have one. Befriend your neighbors in case you need to call on them for help. Or reach out to a friend you trust to help out at your shop on short notice when your morning doesn't go exactly as planned.

All of these people enable you to be your best self by carrying some of the weight when it feels a little too heavy. Don't be afraid to lean on them — they want you to succeed just as much as you want to, too.

Tell Yourself That You Can't Always Do It All (And That It's OK)

Working moms face a lot of unrealistic expectations. They're asked to prepare meals, take care of the kids, take care of themselves, and basically just keep the household in one piece — all while having their own ambitions. At the same time, they're chasing their entrepreneurship dreams, hustling to keep their business open, and working long hours to keep customers happy — all while not coming across as too career-minded.

As a mompreneur, your mind races with all of the things you need to do for your children, your family, and your business. In reality, it's sometimes too much for one person to handle, and it's OK to admit that you just can't do it all. Give yourself permission to not be Superwoman every day, all day, and to all people. You can't do it all at once, and even if you tried, it's simply not sustainable.

When the day feels overwhelming, remember this: You're entitled to bad days when you just don't want to get out of bed. Learn to be more forgiving of yourself, and never forget that you're human, too — just like everyone else. Your business and your kids are way more resilient than you think. In other words, they'll survive the days you're in a funk).

Never Forget Your Why

Running a business and a family can feel like an overwhelming balancing act. When things start to feel tough, think about your "why."

Why did you choose to start a business? And why did you want to start a business with your family at the heart of everything you do? The answers to these questions are what drive you every day to hustle for yourself, your business, and your family, even when that day feels impossible.

We hear you — being a mompreneur isn't always easy. But then again, you've never been afraid of a challenge. To help you continue conquering life at home and in business, the experts at Swyft Filings put together some top resources and inspirational real-life stories to help you navigate mompreneur life through all the ups and downs.

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