The Truth About Running a Small Business
Running a business is tough. Running a business with kids? That’s really tough. The mompreneur life isn’t easy, and definitely has its challenges, but it’s so worth it! I had my kids after I started my business, but as someone who also worked in corporate America, I know that you pick your hard — and this is the one I’d much rather have…by far.
If you’ve ever been curious about what all that looks like though, tune into this video (or catch the notes below!) to see what it’s really like trying to manage family and business.
My weekly routine
When the kids are at school, I usually try to get up at 5:45 a.m. I know that’s super early, but having a morning routine to facilitate for everyone in the house takes time! And plus, I like to get my treadmill on in the AM (just let me watch The Real Housewives of New York and I’m all set!).
(Side note: At one point, I did try to work out in the evenings, but even in the slowness of summer, it’s really hard to manage with dinner and trying to get everyone to practice on time. Just didn’t work out.)
After I finish corralling everyone to get ready for the day, the kids are off to their Nana’s house (or school when that’s in session). By the time I get back from dropping them off, I’m ready to hit the ground running with all the business stuff.
How I ease into full-focus mode
I typically start out the workday by journaling or meditating. I find that it helps me get into a good mindset for the day and is the perfect transition into full-focus mode.
During the week, I also don’t have any “planning” style sessions to help me fill in my planner/calendar. I do all of that on Sunday nights in my Full Focus Planner! Because with all the chaos entrepreneurship and being a mom can bring, that’s really the only time I can sit down and actually focus on it.
Anyways, full-focus mode is when I put my phone on silent and get absolutely settled into work. And not just any work — this is for those tasks that require high-level thinking. I find that my brain works best in the late morning, so I’ll usually wrap this up around lunchtime.
Some of those full-focus tasks include:
Team meetings
Business strategy
Data analytics
Client work
Audits for students inside of $10K on Replay
Drafting slide decks for my new YouTube Coaching program (coming soon!)
And more!
Working while pivoting
Throughout the course of 2023, I’ve really decided to pivot my business in some major ways. While I can’t reveal what ways, exactly, those are yet, I can tell you that it’s gonna be good! However, that means pivoting.
Teamwork makes the dream work
I’d like to say that I’m always fully productive and in the zone, but that’s just not true. Full transparency — the last few weeks have been tough. With so much going on, it’s been hard to focus.
So much so, that stress-scrolling on Amazon has become my new hobby! I know I didn’t exactly need new office decor, but I bought it anyway #NoRegretsThough
I have a team — three full-time employees, one intern, and three contractors to help me take care of everything. But my marketing manager has been out for family reasons and my team and I have had to adjust.
And what it’s shown me is that there are some holes in our workflows and processes. I love my team — they’re amazing! But it shows me, as the CEO and leader of this thing, how important processes are.
So, we’ve been working on shifting those roles and responsibilities to help fill in those holes. And we’ve been creating processes that can help us continue to support each other in the meantime.
Need some encouragement?
Ultimately, what my “day in the life” right now looks like is trying to stay afloat and manage my time well. And you know what? That’s okay!
In business, there WILL be times that feel more difficult than others. It doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for this thing (hello imposter syndrome)...it just means that you’re human.
If you need some extra support and encouragement — I got you! If you’re in a place of overwhelm or don’t know what exactly to do next in your biz, know that it gets better. (I have to remind myself of that too).
But so you can see the ups and downs of a business journey, I’m linking mine here. Take a look at some of my different “eras” and feel better knowing you’re not alone! (And that from here, it’s onwards and upwards).
