Picture this: you are on a conference call, closing a major business deal or a funding round, while simultaneously keeping your toddler or pet from getting into some mischief. Sounds familiar? If so, welcome to the world of mompreneurship â the art of juggling two demanding (and fulfilling) roles without dropping the ball (too often).
From bottlenecks to burnout: The brutal truth about being a mompreneur and tips to achieve success without sacrifice.(Image by Lydia Richardson)
Mompreneur blueprint
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Ankoor Naik, Strategic Growth Advisor and Leadership Coach, opined, âMompreneurs have two babiesâtheir kids (human or pet) and their businesses. The challenge? Balancing both without losing their sanity. The instinct to do everything yourself is strong but hereâs the secret: the key to long-term success is delegation and capability building.â
He shared, âAs a business coach, I often hear mompreneurs say, âNo one can do it like me.â Youâre absolutely rightâno one will ever bring your exact mix of passion, accountability, and sincerity but leadership isnât about doing everything alone; itâs about creating a team that amplifies your strengths.â
If you scan the internet, the once bickered about âwork-from-homeâ and âwork-at-homeâ conversations have taken the backseat and a mompreneurâs classified ingenuity of keeping the balance has taken over.(Unsplash)
The expert advised, âInstead of searching for one person to be your carbon copy, try breaking down responsibilities into two or three roles. Find people who are reliable and committed, and then invest in building their skills. Yes, training takes time. Yes, thereâs a risk they wonât stick around but if you keep waiting for the âperfect momentâ to delegate, youâll forever be stuck in the cycle of exhaustion, trying to do it all alone.â
The chicken-and-egg trap
Ankoor Naik revealed, âMany mompreneurs say, âOnce I reach a certain level, Iâll fix thisâ but hereâs the harsh truth: youâll never reach that level if you donât fix it now. The constant hustle of doing everything yourself creates a bottleneck in your business. The more you wait, the more exhausted you become, and the harder it gets to scale.â
He suggested, âThink of it this way: if youâre always putting out fires, when do you get to build something new? Delegating doesnât mean losing controlâit means setting yourself up for real growth.â
Prioritising rest and recovery
Ankoor Naik said, âI know what youâre thinkingââRest? Thatâs cuteâ but hear me out. Burnout isnât a badge of honor. Your business (and your family) needs you at your best, and that means stepping back to recharge.â
Ways to shift your morning mindset as a mompreneur and be more productive (Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash)
He recommended some simple ways to start:
1. Take a 10-minute break every four hours. Walk, stretch, listen to music or just close your eyes. The idea is to “disconnect” from stimulation.
2. Give yourself half a day off every week (or at least every two weeks). Use it to do something that actually relaxes you.
3. Plan a solo getawayâthree nights minimum. No work, no endless to-do listsâjust time to breathe and reset.
4. Set boundaries with work and family. Just because youâre home doesnât mean youâre available 24/7. Communicate your needs and stick to them.
A thriving business needs a thriving leader. Taking care of yourself isnât a luxury; itâs a necessity.
Mompreneurs, you deserve more
Ankoor Naik asserted, âBuilding a business while raising a family is no small feat but rememberâsuccess isnât just about hitting revenue goals. Itâs about designing a life that brings you joy, fulfillment and balance. This isnât just another business lectureâitâs coming from someone whoâs seen incredible women burn themselves out trying to be everything to everyone. My hope is that you continue to chase your dreams without losing yourself in the process.â
Talking about what he’s learned from working with mompreneurs, Ankoor Naik said, âTough love and empathy go hand in hand. Mistakes will happen, and thatâs okay. The goal isnât perfectionâitâs sustainable success, on your terms. So, build your dream, take your breaks and donât be afraid to ask for help. Youâve got this.â