Succeed As Your Own Boss

ENDING SMALL BUSINESS FAILURE

  • Home
  • About
  • Book Melinda
  • Consulting
  • SBL Store
    • Books/Workbooks
    • LifePlanningJournal
    • 30 Day Fast Start Program
    • Become Your Own Boss Course
    • Become Your Own Boss Bundle
    • Fix Your Business Masterclass
    • Write A Business Plan Course
    • One-on-One VIP Coaching
  • SmallBizLady University
  • Subscribe to Podcast
  • #Smallbizchat
    • Be a #SmallBizChat Guest
  • Blog
    • Write For Us
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Ask Smallbizlady / Help SmallBizlady: How do you Find Time to Start a Business if you are a Wife, Mother and Full-time Worker?

Help SmallBizlady: How do you Find Time to Start a Business if you are a Wife, Mother and Full-time Worker?

July 23, 2012 By Melinda Emerson 10 Comments

Feel free to share...Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Share on Reddit
Reddit
Email this to someone
email
Print this page
Print

It takes teamwork to make the dream workIn order for a working mother to be successful in business they have to have a great support team behind them, particularly if the children are under 5 years old.  It takes teamwork to make the dream work is not a cliché, it’s really the truth.

The team should start with your spouse. You need to have a spouse who does their fair share or a housekeeper who does what your spouse won’t do. Then you need to line up babysitting support. You need daytime and nighttime daycare support, because many networking events are in the evening, and since you are still working your full-time job, your opportunity to network will really only be evening, unless your job is really flexible.

In fact, most businesses being started these days can be done in the evenings and on weekends. This is the right strategy too, because it takes 18-36 months on average for a small business to break even, let alone replace your corporate salary, so I strongly suggest becoming a sidehustler first. Your dayhustle is your job and your sidehustle is your small business.

Try to negotiate with your job to work from home. If you have flexible work hours you can get out to breakfast or lunch networking events and handle some important client meetings, too. Being able to get out there and meet people will be critical in the first few years of your business.

Now about your spouse; you need to make time for him. This is especially important as he’s going to be doing more for the family since your focus will now be on the new business. Try to carve out one night a week to date your husband, that’s one of the reasons why you need a nighttime babysitter. Try to keep your spouse involved in the business, too; share your plans and any successes with him so that he can share in the victories.

If you are married to a risk-averse skeptic, then only come at him with data, not ideas. Treat him like the bank. Only share your finished business plan and give him the financials. Most importantly, give him a realistic timeline for how long you will pursue this business.  Be careful not to give yourself a tight deadline, add an additional six months to whatever you were thinking.

Hopefully you are married to someone who supports your dreams, but if not just put him on a need to know basis, and that may mean he doesn’t need to know what you are working on just yet.

Do you have any advice to share for working moms who want to go into business?

For more tips on how start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com.

Melinda F. Emerson, known to many as SmallBizLady is America’s #1 small business experts. As CEO of Quintessence Multimedia, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on subjects including small business start-up, business development and social media marketing to fulfill her mission to end small business failure. She writes a weekly column on social media for The New York Times. Forbes Magazine named her #1 woman for entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter. She hosts #SmallBizChat Wednesdays on Twitter 8-9pm ET for emerging entrepreneurs. She also publishes a resource blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com Melinda is also the bestselling author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. 

Feel free to share...Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Share on Reddit
Reddit
Email this to someone
email
Print this page
Print

Filed Under: Ask Smallbizlady, Business Inspiration, How to Start Tagged With: become your own boss, business planning, family, side business, side hustle, working moms

Fix Your Business Now!

Order SmallBizLady's new book Fix Your Business, 90-Day plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business. It includes the 12 Ps of Running a Successful Business and readers will finish the book with a new strategic plan to take their business to the next level.

About Melinda Emerson

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 Quintessence Multimedia, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on subjects including small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. Forbes Magazine named her #1 woman for entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter. She hosts #SmallBizChat Wednesdays on Twitter 8-9pm ET for emerging entrepreneurs. She also publishes a resource blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com Melinda is also bestseller author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. Her latest ebook, How To Become a Social Media Ninja; 101 Ways to Dominate Your Competition Online was released in 2012.

Comments

  1. Malla Haridat says

    July 23, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    Having a team and the support of family, spouse/partner and your employer is key to starting a business as a mompreneur. I would also encourage you to connect with other mompreneurs who can share strategies for how they manage everything as well as seeking out mentors who can help you think through a clear strategy for how to grow the business.

    In addition, it’s easy to start a company and it turn into just another thing on your “to do list”. So I recommend be passionate about it, be willing to do your research to see where there is a customer need and be patient for the 18-36 months time frame as Melinda suggested above – because it will take time!

    Happy entrepreneuring!

    Reply
  2. Veronica Young says

    July 23, 2012 at 9:55 pm

    Melinda!

    It’s as if you read my mind with this post! I absolutely love your blog and your work! I hope you know that I’m truly one of your biggest supporters!

    Veronica

    Reply
    • Jayson says

      December 4, 2012 at 9:49 pm

      Andrew FashionJuly 26, 2011Hope it helps. Pathetic sad reason, the emnoyjent of life and money, and wanting so bad to just be a business owner. Managing companies, traveling, and enjoying life. If you haven’t realized, programmers spend their life coding for other people or themselves in front of the computer 24/7. I do miss it though. But I only enjoyed building big projects and the feeling of completing a project, but now I’m just way to far behind, and too much other stuff to focus on

      Reply
  3. Kim Lloyd says

    July 24, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    I started my own business 7 months ago. As part of that, I actually have carved out more time for my kids (10 and 12) and I’m still cranking away. That’s part of our deal, and it makes me (and him) feel really good about this decision, that it was more than just about dollars!

    Reply
  4. Tai Goodwin says

    July 25, 2012 at 9:26 am

    There’s a bit of a myth out there that you have to make a clean break with full-time employment to “really” be an entrepreneur. The research I’ve done shows different – my favorite example is Sarah Blakely (the youngest woman added to Forbes’ self-made billionaire list) who launched Spanx while working full-time.

    Launching While Working is a great way to fund your life and side hustle. It also allows you to model the value of pursuing your passion and purpose for your children.

    Reply
  5. gail tolstoi miller says

    July 27, 2012 at 11:05 am

    Great post! As a small biz owner, wife and mother I can relate to this question. My advice: Before looking for the time, look into your heart and mind. Do you know in your heart that this is the right direction for your life to take? Are you CERTAIN that you can overcome any self-limiting beliefs you may have that could get in the way of your success? Many people allow the little voice in their head to convince them that there’s NOT enough time to do it all. Believe that there IS enough time and you will find it. Believe in yourself!

    Reply
  6. Projectcommissioningtogathermo says

    March 15, 2013 at 11:05 pm

    I actually like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. Project commissioning to gather momentum in H2 http://www.tjtkv.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=82832

    Reply
  7. outpersonals says

    March 22, 2013 at 6:23 pm

    Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I am hoping to present something again and help others such as you helped me.

    Reply
  8. Jeffry says

    April 9, 2013 at 11:45 pm

    This site truly has all the information and facts I wanted concerning this subject
    and didn’t know who to ask.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Let me send my best blog posts to your inbox each week.

Click Here to Sign Up!

Get 2 FREE Chapters of SmallBizLady’s Book,
"Become Your Own Boss"!

Become Your Own Boss Download Two FREE Chapters

Most Popular Posts

>Seven Ways to be More Profitable in Your Small Business
> 7 Ways to Attract Customers to Your Small Business
> 6 Tips for Managing Small Business Finances
> How to Run a Successful Multilevel Marketing Business
> 10 Ways to Grow Your Small Business With Instagram
> How to Sell on Facebook
> How to Get Over the Fear of Starting a New Business

Featured Videos

“12 Principles of Highly Profitable Businesses with Melinda Emerson” from Sonia Dumas
October 2020

#SmallBizChat LIVE from NYC
May 2017

MSNBC Interview
Top Tip: Never Let a Customer Down

National Speakers Association
Winter Conference 2016

Tune in to Exhale, Wednesdays at 9 pm EST, only on ASPiRE. Join the conversation at #EXHALETV

Fox Business
Five Steps to Becoming a ‘Social Media Ninja

MSNBC
The importance of job mentoring for women

#SmallBizChat Live
National Small Business Week: Q&A

Good Day Philadelphia
Expert Shares Tips on How to Become Your Own Boss

Google
Best Practice for Social Media

Testimonials

Become Your Own Boss is a must read if you’re thinking of launching a business of your own.
Jean Chatzky, Bestselling Author of Money 911 and Financial Editor of NBC’s Today Show
Great step-by-step advice for anyone looking to start their own business.
Andrew C. Taylor, Chairman, Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Melinda Emerson has written a remarkable book. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to make the transition from working girl to successfully working it, as an entrepreneur.
Cynthia McClain-Hill, Past President, National Association of Women Business Owners
The perfect companion for those planning to go out on their own. Melinda delivers firsthand practical advice on how to be the successful entrepreneur. Read it if you want to get it right the first time.
Kenneth L. Shropshire, Professor at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
If you are looking for a versatile speaker who can talk about how to grow small businesses or get started with social media, look no further.
Heather Van Sickle Executive Director, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)
Her wit and depth of subject knowledge were entertaining and empowering. Melinda is definitely on our short list of seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders we look to invite back in the near future.
Tennille M. Robinson Senior content & Event producer for Inc. magazine
Melinda Emerson, “SmallBizLady,” is an engaging and witty speaker and a great addition to any conference. Her terrific presentation and compelling delivery give people the information they need and want to become their own bosses and grow success… Read more
Laurie Dalton White Conference Director, Pennsylvania Conference for Women
Melinda Emerson has been a fantastic small business and social media resource for the Pitney Bowes team. Not only is she personable and easy to work with, but she also has an innate understanding of the small business audience. My marketing programs … Read more
Justin Amendola, Former VP, Global SMB Digital Strategy, Pitney Bowes

SmallBizChat

  • Twitter

Latest #SmallBizChat

Building Your Sales Operation Systems with Liz Heiman 1200 x 1200

The SmallBizChat Podcast: Building Your Sales Operation Systems with Liz Heiman

Liz Heiman is the Founder, CEO, and Chief Sales Strategist at Regarding Sales LLC. She and her team help companies build sales systems strategies to drive extraordinary growth. She employs a strategic process to create a roadmap for success to focus her clients and their employees on getting the results they need. She holds a […]

Recent Comments

  • Jerome Kyng on How to Take Control of Your Money in 2021
  • Bada Business ibc on 5 Tips for Getting More Online Reviews for Your Small Business
  • Justin Marble on TikTok vs. Snapchat: Which One Is Better for Marketing? [Infographic]
  • sathya on 15 Mistakes Not To Make In Your Digital Marketing Approach
  • Agency Platform Ebrandz on TikTok vs. Snapchat: Which One Is Better for Marketing? [Infographic]

#SmallBizChat

  • SmallBizChat Archive
  • @SmallBizLady

Business Advice

  • How to Start

SmallBizLady Store

  • Products
  • Free Chapter

Get In Touch

  • Write For Us
  • FAQ
  • Be a #SmallBizChat Guest
  • Contact Us
Copyright © 2021
Quintessence Group
PO Box 280
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
(610) 352-0680
Privacy Policy · Refund Policy

Copyright © 2021 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in