Hi guys,
It’s no secret around here that I’m a mom to my sweet girl Olivia! I’ve had some time to get into the flow of not only being a mom and a photographer, but branching into multiple business ventures as an entrepreneur!
It’s an understatement to say that the transition into motherhood will flip your world upside down (in the best way).
Whether you juggle that transition as a stay at home mom, working mom, entrepreneur mom, or anything else in between, hats off to you! Moms are superheroes. However, today I’m talking to my fellow moms who run their own businesses. I want to talk to you about a few key things that have made it possible for me to transition into motherhood while also running multiple businesses!
First and foremost, having support from other people is so important.
My fiance Shane is an amazing dad and partner and we also have family who are willing to pitch in and help when needed. Shane typically has Olivia when I am out shooting weddings, but sometimes my mom will be with her while I’m out working! I know that not every mom has a partner or family who can help, but find that support system where you can. Maybe it’s a friend or a trusted babysitter. Having people to rely on is a must with motherhood and entrepreneurship! The saying “It takes a village” is tried and true for a reason.
Next up, learn where you can get pockets of work time. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Find out when you can work best and rely on those pockets of time to get work done. For me, I am not a morning person and Olivia is typically up by 6 am. I am not going to have my best day if I’m up earlier than that trying to work. So for me, working at night after she goes to bed is what works! You know your child best. If they are amazing nappers, maybe you can get work done during those naps! Other kids have a set bedtime, and you know you’ll have work time once they’re down. Find those pockets of time and use them wisely.
Let’s be honest: mom brain is VERY real.
It seems like growing a whole other human brain somehow makes ours a whole lot more forgetful! Embrace the mom brain and understand that you may have to change up your process to accommodate for your newfound sense of forgetfulness, if you’re like me. My biggest tip is to write everything down. I have a Trello board strictly for braindumping! Every morning I write down everything that I need to get done, whether it’s business or personal. Then I’m able to pull it up on my phone and add to it as I need. If you’re a paper and pen type of person, carry a notebook with you everywhere you go! Assume that you will forget, and write any and everything down! That way you can come back to it later and sort through it.
Finally, you will need to nail down a great organizational system.
Figure out what works for you, but have a streamlined way to keep your business in order, organize important tasks, and have clear deadlines. Try checking out Trello, Asana, or using the sticky app on your computer to write down notes. If you use a content management system like Honeybook or Dubsado, keep it organized! Figure out if you prefer your phone calendar or a physical planner. Play around and find out what keeps you organized. If it works, great! If it doesn’t, it’s time to try something different.
There you have it! Those are my top tips for juggling the world of motherhood and entrepreneurship. Above all, remember that you can not do everything and be everything at once. Give yourself grace and understanding like you would a friend. Your family loves you and your clients appreciate you. You’re doing amazing mom!
-Liz
