Successfully mixing the daily schedule and responsibilities of a home-based entrepreneur with raising a family entails energy and precise organizational skills. This weeks #HandmadeChat addressed how to blend parenthood with entrepreneurship and achieve positive results.
Here are some hi-lights from the discussion:
@bathbodyacademy HOW CAN YOU LEVERAGE YOUR CHILD’S NAP SCHEDULE TO GET MORE WORK DONE?
- @bathbodyacademy Schedule tasks to be done during nap time. If there’s no plan, the time will slip away too easily.
- @bathbodyacademy Work in ‘chunks’ -write 1 week’s blog posts in 1 sitting instead of many tasks that use different parts of your brain.
@bathbodyacademy: WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF BEING A MOM ENTREPRENEUR?
- @bathbodyacademy: Satisfaction that I’m making difference in the world while setting an example for my kids, making money all at once!
- @INDIEbusiness: Enjoying life, setting a good example for my kids. The fruits of combining passion and labor.
This was a helpful discussion for parent-preneurs, with insights into time management that were also valuable to those (such as myself) that do not have young children under-foot. A full chat transcript is located here.
The facilitator of this chat was Alyssa Middleton, owner of Bath and Body Academy, where she offers entrepreneur coaching and consulting services, and products at Vintage Body Spa.
Thank you Alyssa! And hat’s off to the many work at home parents around the world!
Don’t forget to join us next week on the Indie Business #HandmadeChat on Thursday, 8pm EST. I will be the co-host, leading a discussion on “Organizing Your Day For Maximum Productivity.”
Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps 
Glad to have you participate and give great insight to last week’s chat, Mary! Looking forward to Thursday – I definitely need to better organize my day for productivity!
As a mom of elementary school children who works from home, this chat was very important to me, not only because of the tips I received but because of what I was able to share to help parents coming along as entrepreneurs behind me. The overarching thing I would say is, “hire help.” What I hear in reply is often that there is no money. My response is to get out there and make some. That’s the only way your business can grow if your toddlers, infants and young children are around you all day. It’s impossible to be profitable without that kind of help, even if it’s just for a few hours each day. I hope people just starting out or struggling with this issue enjoy this chat transcript and take action. I also really enjoy this chat because you shared tips as the parent of grown children. Thanks for all of your insights!
Donna Maria
I agree with you, help has to happen. A parent cannot work through the night, for example, to keep their business afloat and still maintain the well-being of themselves and their businesses. Help must fit in there at some point, hopefully, from the start.
I worked full-time, away from home, and devoted pretty much every ounce of my free-time to being a mother. Even then, I needed help.
Thank you, Donna Maria, your comments are thoughtful.
Great chat and yes, this hit close home for me. Mary, you are right a parent can not work through the night to keep their business afloat. I am learning that exhaustion catches up on one pretty quick. This month’s #HandmadeChat has been fruitful for me because I am implementing all I have learned. I am hoping August is more balanced and more productive. Alyssa, had amazing suggestions and advice that any mother can take to heart.
The chat even hit home with me, even though I do not have young children to tend to during working hours.
Alyssa did have super suggestions and tips!
I know you have struggled with the balancing act. Again, what is life without fun? All fun and no play…you know the old saying.
XOXO
Mary