Being a mom and startup owner is the toughest job on earth. Here are a few survival tips for moms living the startup life.
People often say that being a mom is the toughest job on earth. Well, they obviously haven’t tried being a mom AND a startup owner! Both have their own sets of challenges, and if you want to be successful in both areas, you’ll have to come up with a survival plan.
The good news is that there are plenty of women who have been and are in the same situation as you who’ve made it happen. If you have the determination, organization skills, and discipline to do so, then you can make it as well; as long as you have the right tools and the support of your team. Here are a few survival tips for moms living the startup life.
Never Expect to Reach “Balance”
Having a perfect work/life balance is for people who have a steady job and know what to expect – you’ll have to toss that idea out the window if you’re a startup owner. You might have to deal with an emergency, meet with a client who just touched down, or have to work overtime or weekends to meet objectives. You’ll have to come to terms with the fact that you won’t always have the time for your loved ones, and they have to be prepared too.
Be Budget Conscious
This goes for both your business and on the home front. Many times, startup owners won’t have the money to pay themselves or pay themselves a decent living wage, so you may have to find ways to downsize and keep your costs to a minimum.
When it comes to your business, don’t get tied down to suppliers and try to find ways to shop around to reduce costs. If your business involves electronics in any way, a parts search engine like Octopart could help. Search engines like these allow you to access tons of distributors and manufacturers all in one place, which will save you both time and money.
At home, you may have to reconsider your habits and life choices. One of the things you could consider is relocating somewhere that will be less costly, not only for you but for your business. Moving to a smaller town or a town on the outskirts could give you some extra room to breathe without sacrificing your quality of life.
Welcome the Help
If people offer you help, take it. Don’t feel guilty about it if one of your family members wants to take some of the load off your shoulders and babysit the kids. This doesn’t mean that you’re failing as a parent; at the end of the day, you’re doing it for your kids as well.
Also, if you have the budget, you shouldn’t hesitate to hire help as well. Whether it’s a caregiver for the kids, an assistant, or maid service, having some of those things taken off your to-do list will make things much easier for you and allow you to focus on the things that matter.
Launching a startup as a mom is a challenge, there is no doubt about it. But with the proper support and plan in place, it’s one that any mom with a dream can overcome.
