How Moms can Find Time to Start a Business

As a busy mompreneuer I often get asked how do you do it all.  Especially when I was working full time, working on my business and being a mom to my parents.  With a husband with his own demanding career, I often got asked just how I did it all.  The truth – I didn’t – I got help and changed my expectations in a way that allowed me more time to grow my business.  And at some point I realized I was doing none of it particularly well.  But that’s another story.  You can be an active involved mom and run a business. In fact the flexibility of a home based business (and I include freelancing in here, because you should run it like a business) can be the optimal solution ofr a mom looking to be there for her kids and contribute to the family’s finances – and of course do something for herself.

So what are some ways you can carve time from a hectic schedul to run your business

1. Use your time wisely – are your kids in school – well then perhaps you have several hours each day to work on your business.  Use that time wisely and keep it sancrosanct.  Don’t let your neighbors drop by for coffee, don’t let your mom call you on the phone. Don’t do laundry or empty the dishwasher.  Work when you’re working.  If you have 4 hours, then work for 2 or 3 and use the last one to do chores, asnwer phonecalls or chat with the neighbor.  Keep the schedule of working hours posted and stick to it.

2. Invest in a good communication device – depending on your business your probably spend a lot of time on the computer, probably using the internet (email newsletter, list building are just some of the computer-internet tasks that come to mind), answering email or designing marketing material.  Consider web enabled smart phone or a net book or laptop with an air card or wi-fi so you can connect anywhere (an air card lets you connect without being near an internet hotspot). You can do your work while you’re waiting at practice or other downtime (no we’re not suggesting you miss your daughter’s winning free throw, just simply suggesting you use your valuable time wisely to do your business).

3. Hire a cleaning service.  I know you’re probably thinking you can’t afford or they never to as a good a job as you do.  And while that may be true, it’s not the point. Time you spend cleaning is time you’re not spending on your business.  Can you afford not to?  Even a once a month service will take some of the burden off of you

4. Change your definition of – how clean you keep your house, what a home cooked meal is, etc.  Employ short cuts to save time to give you the time to build your business – after all, if that’s the alternative to having to work a 9-5  job, then no one will object to a few dust bunnies, right?

5. Get help – Consider outsourcing – again your complaint may be money or it may be that you’re such a control freak you can’t let go.  You can’t do everything and you’re not an expert in everything.  You will also drop dead of exhaustion if you attempt to do something.  Consider hiring an intern (unpaid or cheap), a virtual assistant or other freelancers to help you do something.  If you’re not a graphic artist, don’t attempt to photshop your logo yourself.  Graphic art services are not that expensive. Writing, web design and other services can be had – shop around, compare prices and check out Guru.com and eLance and post a project to see what turns up.

Remember – as a mom you’ve given everything to your family.  Now it’s time to be a little selfish in order to make your life (and that of your family) better.  Take the time to invest in yourself and your business will grow.