Tips for Balancing Life as a Mom and a Business Owner

Running a business is no walk in the park, especially while raising a family. Despite the challenges, the number of female entrepreneurs who are moms continues to rise. According to a recent report, there are 11.3 million women-owned businesses in the United States. Even more jaw-dropping is that one in three small business owners are moms.

Here are some tips on how to juggle motherhood and the American dream of owning a business.

1. Manage work life balance. You can do this by creating boundaries. It is important to set limits and goals, and stick to them. Setting boundaries to separate work and motherhood fosters efficiency in both. I try my best to give my kids undivided attention when I am home and when I’m at my Kumon Center my entire focus is on work. Make sure to ‘leave work’ when it’s time to be with your family. Turn off your email and truly be present for your children. Keep perspective and remember, there will always be more work to do, but your kids are only young once.

2. Make the business about more than profits. The inspiration for opening a small business may be a better life for your family, but in some instances your children themselves may inspire the business idea. I had a teaching background doing private tutoring and substitute teaching. My son was enrolled in a Kumon Math and Reading Center and I saw immediate benefits. I didn’t want the normal 9 to 5 job and I quickly realized that I could achieve the dream of being a small business owner, while pursuing my passion for education, by opening a Kumon franchise. Sometimes it can be difficult to balance it all, but at the end of the day, my business is about more than just profit. I truly enjoy what I do on a daily basis and I’m unlocking the potential of the children in my community, making it a better place to live.