The last few years have seen the hitherto quiet, almost complacent mothers step up their game by turning into business owners. They have turned chores that the world believed to be their shackles into tools of growth, and how. This post is about them, the mompreneurs.
Who are mompreneurs?
Women have always been known for their resilience, creativity, and ability to multitask, making them a powerful force in the entrepreneurial world.
Mompreneurs are entrepreneurial women who walk the tightrope between balancing raising their kids and running their homes along with starting their own business. The dual nature of their responsibility isn’t an easy task but they are women who are looking at creating greater flexibility for themselves while fanning their passion.
The business ventures could range from small, home- based enterprises to larger, scalable businesses that are niche or more mainstream like e- commerce, consulting, wellness, and education.
Characteristics of Successful Mompreneurs
Here are some of the common characteristics of mompreneurs:
1. Time management and multitasking
Most mothers who choose to become businesswomen have already thought of how they’d fit in the demands of a business into their already packed schedules.
Most times, it’s in the few lean hours they get between the next chore at home which by the way have this thing about just multiplying.
As the business takes root, they may look for team members who can help them in times when there may be an emergency they need to attend to, requiring someone else to step in for them and take the necessary steps.
2. Resilience and adaptability
The life of mompreneurs hinges on adapting to the challenges of each new day. There are problems they may have to deal with at the domestic front, and have to address an equally pressing matter with regard to their business.
Most times, the two have to be simultaneously addressed, and the track record of a lot of successful entrepreneurs shows their resilience at being able to sail through without getting caught in the usual and the not so usual upheavals in their lives.
The spirit to keep at it and not let the feelings of darkness and defeat overwhelm them, is the cornerstone of their staying steadfastly on their course.
3. Creativity and problem-solving skills
These get better with every new challenge that comes their way. They find ways of dealing with exigencies and still be able to make competent decisions at both the fronts – home and work.
As they get pushed about for time, and staying coherent, they get to hone their problem-solving skills, and get more and more creative with how they handle the stressors in their lives.
Creativity starts to reflect in the ways they adopt in decision- making as it continually gets tempered by empathetic considerations (which women have been infamously held guilty of, and which ironically, has been seen as their strength by the more discerning).
Why are moms turning to entrepreneurship
Here’s taking a look at why more women are turning into entrepreneurs:
1. Flexibility and work-life balance
Women who like to pursue their passion regardless of how they are placed in the home scenario, have started with ventures from home.
This gives them flexibility to work as per their convenience. They are able to be the hands-on parent, who runs an equally flourishing business. This ensures there is a feeling of satiety and self-appreciation for being able to put in the extra work, and get their work- life balance.
2. Pursuing a passion or filling a market gap
In setting up a niche business, they are not just fulfilling an ambition, but probably plugging a much-needed gap in the market. Women who choose to run businesses from home have researched for business opportunities that no one has thought of yet. They take the risk because they would’ve already done the groundwork behind setting it up and making it a success.
3. Need for financial independence or additional income
There is no greater liberation than financial independence. Mompreneurs are women who choose not to be dependent on their financial needs, and make their own contribution in sharing the expenses of the house, while prudently investing to keep their business running without a glitch.
Challenges Mompreneurs Face
Here are some challenges that mompreneurs face in this fast-moving ecosystem:
1. Balancing business and family life
This is a tightrope they walk every single day. This makes them into women who don’t react but respond to the challenges that come their way. It makes them resilient, empathetic, and more adept at taking well-informed decisions in crucial times.
2. Limited time and resources
Frugality comes to them naturally. Although they have to scrounge for time and other resources, they make the most of what is available to them, deriving satisfaction from the fact that they divested efforts that got them the required results.
3. Stereotypes and societal expectations
Women have constantly struggled to break free of the stereotypes they have been chained to. This is a humongous task given that there is no dearth of sceptics who would spare no opportunity to run them down for being a woman.
Tips for aspiring mompreneurs
Here are some tips from our networks that will help you overcome mompreneur challenges:
1. Start with a Plan
Research well into your ideas before thinking of scaling up. Have a business plan chalked out that clearly outlines your goals, target audience, and strategies. You should have thought out alternate plans too so that there is a softer landing if something doesn’t work out as per expectations. From finances, to execution to an exit plan, everything should be mapped to the last detail.
2. Leverage Your Strengths
Never follow the market trends, and invest only in your strengths. Do what you feel confident of so that the venture is a fruit of passion that continues to drive and motivate. Trust the process of your transition from a mother to an entrepreneur, and use your skills as a nurturer to raise your business.
3. Master Time Management
Always set boundaries between work and family time. Use tools like calendars, task managers, and automation. Set regular reminders, and as far as possible stick to the time windows you assign to each part of your daily life.
4. Build a Support Network
Join communities, and build your tribe. Seek and offer help to other mompreneurs. Go for seminars, and workshops. Ideate, seek mentorship, offer to mentor, and build a supportive eco- system around you. Never hesitate to ask friends and family for help and support.
5. Focus on Flexibility
Explore online businesses like e-commerce, blogging, or consulting. These kinds of business models allow you a lot of flexibility to fit in your other roles as a homemaker. Start a business that makes you feel accomplished rather than leaving you with a feeling of under-achieving.
6. Utilize Digital Tools
Make liberal use of social media and other online platforms for getting yourself more visibility and outreach. Invest in tools for accounting, customer management, and automation. This keeps your business running smoothly with lesser time devoted to the nitty- gritty of keeping updates on completed work, and work assignments, and payments, etc.
7. Outsource When Possible
Put a team together. Assign works like bookkeeping, marketing, or other work to do with the running of the office to your trusted team members. You could even think of hiring virtual assistants or freelancers for specific work requirements.
8. Set Realistic Expectations
Don’t aim at the big wins only. Celebrate the small ones along the way. Your progress may be hampered by the demands of the family, and this should at no point feel a deterrent but another reason to stay strong, and focused. Set realistic goals, and do little things everyday to bring them to fruition.
9. Prioritize Self-Care
Find some me-time. It’s important to avoid burn- out. Indulge in a hobby or travel, learn to take little breaks from work to brew some tea/ coffee for yourself, find a quiet corner to curl up with a book, go for walks, exercise, and do more of the other things that you love equally as your work. Never stop working at trying to get the perfect work-life balance.
10. Stay Resilient and Adaptable
Mothers face new challenges everyday and each day is a small win in one way or the other. So, when they choose to be entrepreneurs, they bring the same grit and resolve to their work, and this propels their business. It also conditions them to be better at adjusting to setbacks and come back stronger, not bitter. They level up their game by staying abreast of the industry trends and best practices.
Conclusion
We are looking at sharing more tips, resources, workshops, motivation, and more.
So, if you are a mompreneur, subscribe to our blog, and find yourself a trusted mate as you journey forward.
