Motherhood and Entrepreneurship: Juggling Chaos & Building Dreams
Explaining “CEO of Awesome” to a Two-Year-Old (and Other Adventures in Entrepreneurship)
Let’s be honest, juggling motherhood and running a business is a special kind of beautiful chaos. One minute you’re negotiating a contract, the next you’re negotiating with a toddler about why shoes are optional attire (apparently). And somewhere in between, you’re trying to explain to a tiny human with a vocabulary primarily consisting of “no” and “juice” what it is you actually *do* all day.
It’s a conversation I’ve had more times than I can count, and it usually goes something like this:
Me: “Mummy’s working on helping other mummies build their dreams.”
Two-year-old: (Points at the laptop) “Dora?”
Me: “No, not Dora, darling. Mummy’s helping ladies make their own businesses, like selling yummy cakes or making pretty dresses.” She then proceeds to inform me, with absolute conviction, that Dora *does* sell cakes, and they’re star-shaped, with rainbow sprinkles, and delivered by Boots the Monkey on a skateboard. Try arguing with *that* logic. It’s like trying to explain astrophysics to a goldfish – with glitter.
Two-year-old: “Cake?”
Close enough, right?
But what if I told you these seemingly impossible conversations are actually golden opportunities? Opportunities to instill values, to plant seeds of ambition, and to show our little ones what it means to pursue your passion.
Beyond “Mummy Works on the Computer”: Turning Everyday Moments into Teaching Moments
It’s easy to get caught in the “Mummy works on the computer” explanation. It’s quick, it’s simple, it’s usually enough to distract them for a few precious minutes while you try to finish that email. But are we missing a chance to teach them something truly valuable?
Think about it. Even if they don’t grasp the complexities of your business model (and let’s face it, sometimes *I* don’t even fully grasp the complexities of my business model!), they *can* understand concepts like hard work, dedication, and pursuing your dreams.
My teenage daughter has seen me pull all-nighters for my MBA, juggle conference calls with school runs, and navigate the emotional rollercoaster of launching a new programme. It was a lot like that time Espresso, our hyper puppy, decided to redecorate the living room with the contents of the recycling bin, right as I was about to start a client call. Total chaos, but also, strangely, a testament to the art of multitasking! She might roll her eyes at my constant “hustle,” but she also sees firsthand what it means to chase a goal, to be resilient, and to build something from the ground up.
My school-aged daughter sees me in a slightly different light. She understands “work” as something that earns money, which in her mind translates directly into more toys & treats.
* So, I explain my work by connecting it to things she values – like how building my business allows us to go on fun holidays.
* Or how it helps us buy her that new Lego set she’s been eyeing.
It’s a simplified explanation, but it subtly introduces the connection between effort & reward, between pursuing a passion & creating a life you love.
And even my toddler, the queen of “no,” is learning, even if she doesn’t realize it. She sees me light up when I talk about helping my clients, she hears me celebrating their wins, she feels the energy I bring to my work. Those are lessons that go far beyond any explanation I could give her with words. It’s like the famous saying: “Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn’t have said.”
Navigating the Mum-Guilt Minefield: It’s Okay to Not Be Supermum
Let’s talk about the mum-guilt. It’s the ever-present elephant in the room, the little voice that whispers, “You should be spending more time with your kids,” even when you’re working to create a better future for them. There have been times I’ve cried in the bathroom, overwhelmed by that very guilt, convinced I wasn’t doing enough for anyone. Just last week, I was trying to finalize a presentation for a new client while simultaneously refereeing a squabble between my school-aged daughter & my toddler over a particularly sparkly hairbrush. The baby decided that moment was the perfect time to stage a full-blown meltdown because, well, babies. I felt utterly pulled in a million directions & like I was failing everyone. It’s a struggle I know all too well, & it’s something I discuss openly with my clients in Femme:Connect, our free online community for ambitious female entrepreneurs. Connecting with other women who *get it* is such a lifesaver! [Link to: https://www.femmeprenista.com/femmeconnect]
The truth is, there’s no such thing as Supermum. We’re all just doing our best to navigate the beautiful mess of motherhood & entrepreneurship. Some days, the kids will interrupt every Zoom call, the puppy will chew on your laptop charger, & you’ll feel like you’re failing on all fronts. And that’s okay.
What matters is that we keep showing up, keep learning, keep growing, and keep reminding ourselves *why* we’re doing this. For me, it’s about creating a life of flexibility and fulfillment, a life where I can be both a present mum & a successful entrepreneur. And that vision is powerful enough to push through the mum-guilt & keep me going, even on the toughest days. My research for my PhD in women’s entrepreneurship continually reinforces how important this resilience is.
Embracing the Power of “Why”: Connecting Your Business to Your Values
It’s not just about explaining your work to your kids; it’s about connecting your work to your *why.* This aligns perfectly with Simon Sinek’s guiding quote, “People don’t buy WHAT you do; they buy WHY you do it”. But how do you actually *do* that?
Practical Steps to Define Your “Why”
1. Identify Your Passions: What truly lights you up about your work? What makes you feel energized & excited? Think about those moments when you’re in flow, where time seems to disappear. What activities or projects bring you the most joy?
2. Define Your Impact: What impact do you want to make on your clients’ lives? What transformation are you helping them achieve? Think beyond the immediate results – what’s the bigger picture? Are you helping them gain confidence, build financial security, or create a more fulfilling life?
3. Clarify Your Values: What values are most important to you in your business & in your life? How are these reflected in your work? For example, if authenticity is a core value, how does that show up in your marketing & client interactions? If family is a priority, how does your business model support that?
4. Connect to Your Entrepreneurial Journey: How does your “why” connect to the deeper reasons you chose the entrepreneurial path, especially as a mother? Was it for flexibility, autonomy, the desire to make a difference, or a combination of factors? Understanding your motivations will fuel your resilience and help you stay focused on your long-term vision.
Ask yourself these key questions:
* What truly lights you up about your work? What makes you feel energized & excited?
* What impact do you want to make on your clients’ lives? What transformation are you helping them achieve?
* What values are most important to you in your business & in your life? How are these reflected in your work?
* How does your “why” connect to the deeper reasons you chose the entrepreneurial path, especially as a mother?
When you’re clear on your “why,” it not only makes your business more resilient & fulfilling but also makes it easier to explain to anyone, even a two-year-old. Because ultimately, it’s not about the technicalities of what you do, it’s about the heart & soul behind it.
For me, my “why” is about empowering women, especially mothers, to build businesses that give them the freedom, flexibility, & fulfillment they deserve. It’s about breaking down limiting beliefs, helping them find their voice, & showing them that they can create a life they genuinely love. I’m constantly inspired by Lisa Nichols who says, “Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows. Then you can serve others, joyfully, from your saucer.”
And while my two-year-old might not understand all that just yet, she *will* understand the passion in my voice, the sparkle in my eyes, and the joy I bring to my work. And that, my friends, is a legacy worth building.
Ready to ignite your own “why” & build a business that lights you up? Our Spark Programme, designed specifically for Foundation Builders, guides you through the critical steps of validating your idea, finding your niche, & creating a solid foundation for your business. [Link to: https://www.femmeprenista.com/spark]
Carlene Nisbett
Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista (Coach, Mentor, Speaker)
(Femmeprenista Logo Placeholder)
Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5’0″ tall
Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift…
www.femmeprenista.com
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