If you’re a stay at home mom who’s ready to get back into the workforce as a work-at-home mom small business owner you are in for quite an adjustment. I believe you should plan your business at least 12 months prior to starting your business as you already have two full-time jobs as a wife and mother. As a small business owner you are now about to take on a third full-time gig. Talk about a juggle!
Here are 5 steps that will help you get started so that your juggling act won’t make you feel like running away to join the circus:
1) START RECONNECTING WITH FORMER CO-WORKERS
Your network IS your net worth went starting a business. Start reaching out through social media. Everyone should have a LinkedIn Account. If you haven’t had a picture done in a while invest in a professional headshot. Facebook is another great way to connect with former work colleagues and potential customers. Once a week try to schedule a lunch meeting with a former co-worker or mentor. They will be able to give you valuable insight about getting back out there and pounding the pavement for business and quite possibly give you a lead or two.
2) GET YOUR BABYSITTING SUPPORT LINED UP
If you are going to work from home, you need be in the position to really get work done at home. I can’t imagine being able to work with children at home all day, without them developing some addictive TV watching habits. Prepare a budget that includes taking your kids to day care at least three days a week. Line your night time babysitting support too. You’ll need to make sure that you can attend evening networking events, and you don’t want to get stuck if your hubby is traveling or has to work late.
3) EVALUATE YOUR SKILLS
When you start a business you immediately take on 10-13 jobs at once. Be sure that you really know your strengths. Have an honest conversation with yourself and list your core strengths and what you like to do. Then list what skills you’ll need to have to run your business. This will help you understand what kind of support team you’ll need to have to run your business.
4) DEVELOP YOUR CUSTOMER PROFILE & SECRET SAUCE
Once you are sure you are going to start your business you need to know exactly who your customer is and why they will buy from you. You need to make sure that you have a compelling reason. You should also spend time developing what your signature move or “secret sauce” is so that you can stand out from your competitors.
5) GET YOURSELF A PERSONAL THEME SONG
It’s a real challenge to completely change gears from full-time mommy to full-time entrepreneur. They will be days when you need something to pump you up. For me, I use music. Get yourself a personal theme song that makes you feel good when every time you hear it. That song will help you stay motivated when you must push through those hard days. You will get tired, stressed out and feel unappreciated too–but DON’T GIVE UP! You can do it! You just need to keep two things in mind: 1) Be present wherever you are, and 2) a good idea is a good idea three weeks from now. Do not rush ideas, be deliberate.
Do you have any other advice for stay at home moms starting out in business? Please share.
Melinda F. Emerson, known to many as SmallBizLady is one of America’s leading small business experts. As a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business coach, she develops audio, video and written content to fulfill her mission to end small business failure. As CEO of MFE Consulting LLC, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on subjects including small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. Forbes Magazine recently named her one of the Top 20 Women for Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter. She hosts #SmallBizChat Wednesdays on Twitter 8-9pm ET for emerging entrepreneurs, and publishes a resource blog at: www.succeedasyourownboss.com. Melinda is also the author of the national bestseller Become Your Own Boss in 12 months: A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. (Adams Media 2010)
Great post, Melinda!
I also recommend that mompreneurs create an office space that is isolated from the rest of the house so that home activities do not creep into work activities and visa versa. Then spend plenty of time thinking about how you want to function in the office and organize it accordingly.
Benjamin Franklin said, “For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned”. Mompreneurs will want to make the best use of every minute of the workday, and upfront organizing is one of the best ways to maximize their chances of success at this.
Monique