Starting up your business can be tough – if you’re a mother or not. I’m still at the very beginning of my entrepreneurial journey and its been a slow journey as I’m starting my business while I’m at home looking after my kids who are now three and four. The last couple of years have been a constant up and down…
Actually more of a pull in different directions rather than an up and down. When I’m a good mum I seem to be a “bad” entrepreneur. When things are going well with my business the house is usually a mess and I feel guilty about not doing enough with my kids and my husband.
Is this constant balancing act what makes us different from other entrepreneurs? Is that why people are trying to find a term or a category for mums in business?
What is the best term?
Some people seem to have a problem with the term “mum in business”. But what’s a better word? Mumpreneur? Mompreneur? Female entrepreneur with children?
For some people mum in business may sound unprofessional or patronizing. It may sound as if its a bunch of women having a coffee together, chatting about the best cleaning products and how to get their toddler to use the toilet.
Well that might be what we do. But there is also a lot more to it (personally I don’t talk about cleaning products but I’ll be happy about any advice on how to get my three year old to use the toilet!).
When I meet with other mums in business we talk about business strategy, we exchange marketing ideas, give each other feedback on our products and services and share tips on how to use social media effectively. Just like other entrepreneurs that go to a networking meeting.
Do we need our own term?
At the end of the day that’s what we are – mums who run a business – and being a mother is an important part of it.
It’s a constant balancing act. Happy children, profitable business, clean house, happy husband, healthy home-cooked meals? We get pulled into different directions. Having children changed everything for me! I’ve got little people to look out for and they are a part of me. They will always be my priority no matter what.
Yes, I became self-employed after I had my children but I don’t think it would have been the same without kids. Not at all. Being a mother makes me the type of entrepreneur that I am today. An entrepreneur who has other priorities but nevertheless wants to success and help provide for her family! A mother who wants to be there for her family AND build a business!
So let me know if you have a better phrase… I’m guessing that if you’re reading this you are also a mum in business. Do you like the term? Have you come across any negativity when you use the term? What would you like to be called? Or do you think there is no need for a category?
This article is very insightful and I found it answered a lot of my questions about teaching. Think outside the box.