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Today, we’re talking about the realities of motherhood and running a business. Being a mom and entrepreneur (or mompreneur!) is no joke.
They are both two demanding roles that often feel like full-time jobs on their own. Combined, they create a unique set of challenges and rewards that require constant juggling, flexibility, and a whoooole lot of grace.
And let’s not forget our relationships with our husbands! Being a good wife plays a huge role, too. Luckily, our husbands are extremely supportive and help us be the best moms and business owners we can be.
What It’s Really Like Being a Mompreneur
Balancing a business and raising kids is a big task. Both of us have been in this boat together since Court had her little girl in 2023. We love having kids around the same age for many reasons, but especially because we can relate to what the other is going through. We know that some days are easier than others, childcare is a struggle, and there’s never enough time in the day. This is what it’s like being a mompreneur.
Finding “more” time to work
We work whenever we have time without the kids. We don’t want work to interfere too much with being a mom, so work can sometimes spill into early mornings or late nights—those precious hours when little ones are fast asleep.
Unexpected disruptions
Sick days, snow days, and other unexpected events test the limits of even the most carefully planned schedules. Flexibility becomes the lifeline in these moments, with the support of a co-founder or business partner ensuring that the business keeps moving forward.
Passion overdrive
When you run your own business, you most likely have way more passion than at a corporate 9-5 job. Passion keeps us going, and sometimes, we want to work more or work late nights, and that’s okay, too.
Childcare
Whether you have eight hours a day with full childcare or limited hours, navigating those hours and learning how to maximize your time can be difficult. Scheduling things out on your calendar to be as efficient as possible and to clearly set boundaries can be helpful.
Schedules are always changing.
As hard as we try to maintain our schedules, our calendars are always changing, and we have to go with the flow. Sometimes, our kids need more time from us; other times, we have more time to work on our business.
The Challenges of “Turning It Off” as a Mompreneur
A lot of entrepreneurs struggle with this because of the whole passion thing! We love what we do, and we actually enjoy working! It can be incredibly hard to “turn it off.”
Running a business is a 24/7 responsibility.
Even during family time, the mental to-do list looms large, filled with emails to send, deadlines to meet, and growth strategies to plan. It might be tempting to quickly respond to an email but we have to be strict with ourselves and focus on our families.
This constant “always-on” mindset can lead to burnout.
If boundaries aren’t established or respected, burnout can set in quickly. The pressure to grow and succeed in a business is immense. Finding the balance between being present as a mom and staying on top of business goals is an ongoing challenge.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
It’s safe to say that we’ve learned a lotttt of lessons since starting Duo Collective. We talked about 100 of them in episode #100, but here are just a few for you.
Give yourself grace.
Perfection isn’t realistic, and it’s okay to have days where one role takes precedence over the other. Prioritizing what truly matters at the moment is key. It’s so amazing to have a supportive business partner who understands this, too!
Set boundaries and be intentional with time.
When it’s time to work, focus fully on the tasks at hand. When it’s time for family, aim to be fully present. This separation and boundary, even if not perfect, can help reduce the guilt and stress of trying to do it all simultaneously.
Learn about your cycle and how that ties back to productivity.
This is something we’re still working on, and trying to be better about recognizing and educating ourselves on it. But this is a very real thing. If you can loosely plan around this, you might find yourself working and parenting more efficiently while being more intentional.
Ask for help.
Whether it’s leaning on a significant other, family, business partner, or outsourcing some tasks, it’s important to recognize that you don’t have to do everything on your own.
Celebrate small wins.
Each step forward—whether it’s in business growth or a parenting milestone—deserves recognition. These “mom”ents of celebration serve as reminders of the progress being made in both areas of life.
Remember, you’re the boss!
You probably started this business for more flexibility (as a parent, wife, or individual), but oftentimes, it feels like we work more in our own business than we did in the corporate world. You can skip that podcast for a week if you need to. You can schedule that “you” time during the middle of the day if that’s the only break you get. You set the rules, and you can break them, too.
This shit is hard, and we should talk about it.
We’re always expected to show up perfectly as a wife, mom, and biz owner, but that’s not realistic. Find your people that you can talk to about the struggles of it all. Feeling seen, heard, and less alone helps make those harder days a bit easier.
Encouragement for Moms in Business
We know a lot of other mompreneurs, and it’s important to support each other. If that’s you, or you want to support moms who are also business owners, here is some encouragement!
You’re not alone.
For moms navigating the dual roles of motherhood and entrepreneurship, know that you’re not alone. It’s a tough but rewarding journey that requires resilience, support, and creativity.
Give yourself permission to do things your way.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to balancing these roles and being a mompreneur. Find what works for your family and your business, and trust it’s enough.
Self-care is essential, not selfish.
Repeat that! Prioritizing your own well-being allows you to show up fully for your kids and your business. Whether it’s a quiet moment with a cup of coffee or an hour to pursue a hobby, these moments recharge your energy and focus.
The Realities of Being a Mompreneur
Motherhood and running a business are both challenging and deeply fulfilling paths. They teach resilience, adaptability, and the importance of building a supportive community. Remember to celebrate the wins, no matter how small, and embrace the imperfections along the way. You’re doing an incredible job; every step forward proves your strength and dedication!
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Abbey Oslin and Courtney Petersen are Minnesota-based marketing experts, educators, and co-founders of boutique marketing agency Duo Collective, which specializes in SEO, social media strategy, and branding for small business owners and creative entrepreneurs. To learn more about Duo Collective, or to inquire about working with our team, head over to www.duocollective.com.
To inquire about being a guest on Duo On Air, please fill out this application form.
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