Business Supports Dream Lifestyle: A Mumpreneur's Guide

Can Your Business Really Support Your Dream Lifestyle? (It's All on You, Lovely!)

Let's be real, darling. If you're a Foundation Builder, that entrepreneurial dream? It’s often sold as this picture-perfect vision: laptop-on-the-beach, endless flexibility, and bank accounts overflowing like a well-tended garden (more on that later!). And while those are absolutely possible (I’m working towards it myself!), the reality for us mums juggling businesses, kiddos, and (let's face it) the everyday chaos of life, can feel... well, a little different. Remember that time I was trying to finish a proposal, and my two-year-old decided to give Espresso a "makeover" using my entire collection of lipsticks? Let's just say it wasn't the brand image I was aiming for! It's these "lipstick-on-the-dog" moments that remind us real life rarely looks like the curated highlight reel.

Sound familiar? Thought so!

You scroll past that oh-so-curated Instagram feed of a female entrepreneur, latte in hand, her angelic children playing quietly nearby, and you think, "How does she do it?" Well, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: that's never the whole story. Never. What you don't see are the meltdowns five minutes before that photo, the frantic race to clean yoghurt off the sofa, or Espresso (our whirlwind Miniature Pinscher puppy) deciding that the laptop charger is a fantastic new chew toy. That, my friend, is the real life of a female entrepreneur, and it’s something I know all too well!

One particularly memorable morning involved a crucial client call, a toddler who'd discovered the joys of finger painting with porridge, and a puppy who decided the freshly painted wall was her new canvas. Trying to maintain a professional facade while simultaneously cleaning up that delightful mess – well, let's just say I developed a whole new appreciation for multitasking that day. It was moments like these that made me think, there has to be a better way. And that’s when I really started digging deep into creating systems for my business, so the 'beautiful chaos' didn't completely derail my progress.

Currently, I'm building my business, juggling my PhD research, and navigating the "beautiful chaos" of raising four children – from a spirited teenager to an energetic toddler. As I write this, two of those little humans are completely absorbed in a 'Bluey' marathon – which, let's be honest, is a far cry from the silent meditation retreat I envisioned for my strategic planning session! It's a constant reminder that the journey is rarely linear, often noisy, but always profoundly my own. My eldest, bless her teenage heart, just walked in asking if I'd seen her "absolutely essential" sparkly hairspray – apparently, a crisis of epic proportions. See? Real life. It’s all about the juggle.

My point? The gap between the entrepreneurial dream and the daily grind can feel huge. And if we're not careful, we can get stuck in that gap, feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and like we're failing. But what if I told you the real power lies not in blaming the system, the kids, or the ever-growing laundry pile, but in figuring out how YOU can navigate it all? How you can take responsibility and design a business that actually supports your dream lifestyle, instead of becoming just another demanding child?

Because, honestly, isn't life about the quality of it, not just the size of your bank balance? That's what my MBA at Cranfield University really brought home to me. Imagine trying to balance complex case studies with a toddler clinging to my leg, convinced I was about to disappear into the academic abyss forever! It was tough, juggling motherhood & intense study, but it also showed me the absolute necessity of being organized, efficient, & laser-focused on my goals, skills that are essential for any entrepreneur, especially a busy mum. It wasn't the corner office I craved after graduation; it was the freedom to build a life where I could choose where I worked, whether that's the kitchen table with Espresso the puppy at my feet, or (fingers crossed!) a co-working space in Malaysia, which, as some of you know, is part of my long-term plan.

From Dreaming to Doing: Taking Charge of Your Entrepreneurial Destiny

So, how do we bridge that gap? How do we move from simply dreaming of a better life to actually building a business that fuels, rather than depletes, us? It starts with you, lovely!

It starts with a fundamental mindset shift: taking radical personal responsibility. Yes, the system has its flaws. A 2022 study found that female founders receive significantly less funding than their male counterparts. Yes, childcare costs are insane. Yes, it can feel like you’re constantly running on empty.

• But is it just down to those things?

• Or is it also about how we respond to them?

• What small, smart steps can we take, even within those constraints, to own our progress?

This is where the Business Flourish Framework really comes into its own. It's not just a framework; it's a holistic philosophy for building a business that truly flourishes alongside your life. It's about integrating these key pillars, not treating them as separate entities:

• Focus (Mindset): Knowing what you want and why, and building the resilience to keep going when things get tough (which they inevitably will!). Remember that time my carefully planned launch almost fell apart because my toddler decided to use castor oil as a hair treatment, turning the bathroom into a scene from a slapstick comedy? It wasn't fun, but it taught me a powerful lesson about adapting and refocusing on the next step, not getting stuck in the chaos. This is about cultivating a rock-solid mindset, much like Simone Biles prioritizes her mental well-being alongside her incredible athletic achievements.

• Flair (Marketing & Messaging): Building a brand that truly reflects you, attracts your dream clients, and politely repels those who aren't a good fit. This is where your authentic voice, your unique story, and your deep understanding of your ideal client come together to create marketing magic. It's about applying the psychological principles of experts like Rory Sutherland, understanding that "value can be created in the mind every bit as much as it can be created in the factory."

• Flow (Momentum & Systems): Creating smooth, efficient workflows in your business by implementing smart systems, delegating effectively, and ditching what’s not serving you. This is about working smarter, not just harder, streamlining your processes to free up your precious time and energy. This pillar is infused with the principle of consistent, focused action, similar to Ali Abdaal's productivity strategies.

• Fuel (Wellbeing): Prioritizing your well-being, your energy, your mental and physical health, because, lovely, you simply can’t pour from an empty cup. It's about remembering Lisa Nichols' wisdom: "Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows." It’s not selfish; it’s essential for sustainable success.

• Fusion (AI Integration): And interwoven throughout all of these is Fusion – strategically integrating AI to amplify your efforts across all pillars. This isn't about replacing you; it's about enhancing your capabilities. Think of AI as your intelligent assistant, helping you automate tedious tasks, gain data-driven insights about your audience, personalize your marketing messages, streamline your client communication, and so much more. For example, imagine using AI to analyze your ideal client's language patterns on social media – this can give you invaluable insights for crafting content that truly resonates. Or picture having an AI-powered virtual assistant schedule all your client calls, manage your social media calendar, or even draft initial email responses. These tools are here to empower you, not replace you. It’s all about working smarter, not harder, leveraging technology to create more space for what you do best – connecting with your clients, creating value, and building your dream business.

Sound good? Learn more about how our Business Flourish Framework can transform your business here.

Practical Steps to a Lifestyle-Aligned Business

Now for the good stuff: what can you actually do today to start building a business that truly supports your life?

1. Define Your Non-Negotiables: What absolutely must be true about your ideal lifestyle? Do you need to be home for the school run every day? Do you crave two hours of uninterrupted work time each morning? Do you need to earn a specific income to feel secure? Write it down. These are your boundaries, your guiding principles. Your business must fit within these, not the other way around. For example, when I realized that commuting two hours each way to a fantastic job in London was draining my energy and taking me away from my daughter, I knew something had to change. That experience led me to prioritize location independence as a non-negotiable in my entrepreneurial journey.

2. Get Crystal Clear on Your Ideal Client: Who are you serving? What are their deepest desires, their biggest frustrations? Get into their heads. The more clearly you understand your ideal client, the easier it will be to create an irresistible offer, attract them effortlessly, & build a business you genuinely love serving. For instance, if your ideal client is a busy mum juggling multiple demands, she's likely overwhelmed by information overload and desperate for simple, actionable strategies, not another 10-module course she'll never have time to complete. Understanding this allows you to tailor your offerings to meet her specific needs and speak directly to her pain points.

3. Start Small & Systemize: Don't try to do everything at once. Pick one area of your business to focus on and create a simple system for it. This could be your client onboarding process, your content creation schedule, or your email marketing. Small wins build momentum & create a foundation for sustainable growth. AI is your friend here! Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the vast array of AI tools available, start by identifying one specific task you'd like to automate or enhance. For example, if social media scheduling is a pain point, explore user-friendly tools like Buffer or Later, which integrate AI features for optimizing posting times and content suggestions. If you're drowning in emails, consider AI-powered email assistants that can help you prioritize, categorize, and even draft responses. Don't aim for perfection; aim for progress. One small system at a time can make a huge difference.

4. Prioritize Your Well-being (Schedule It In!): This isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Schedule a 15-minute walk in nature three times this week. Block it out in your calendar, just like any other important appointment. Or maybe it’s a 20-minute yoga session before the kids wake up, or a quiet cup of tea while everyone else is still asleep. Find what nourishes you, what fills your cup, and make it non-negotiable. A well-nourished you is a more productive & creative entrepreneur. It’s all about the Fuel pillar! Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup, lovely!

5. Build Your Tribe: Entrepreneurship can be lonely, especially when you’re juggling so much. Find your community. Connect with other female entrepreneurs who get it. Share your struggles, celebrate your wins, & support each other. Our free Femme Connect community is a great place to start! Join our supportive Femme:Connect Community here. It's a space where you can ask "silly" questions (we've all been there!), share those "one eyeliner on because I was cleaning castor oil off the carpet" moments, and celebrate each other's wins, big or small.

Handling the "Buts" – Turning Obstacles into Opportunities

Now, I know what you might be thinking: "But Carlene, I don't have time!" "But I'm not a tech expert!" "But what about the school holidays?!"

And you know what? I hear you. I've been there. Remember my “dogs in a crate” saga because the juggle just became too much? Or those moments when my partner & I joked about becoming glorified roommates because we were so focused on work, we forgot to connect? Yeah, it's real. It's messy. It’s also part of the journey.

One of the toughest moments for me was after my fourth C-section. I'd expected more support, imagined peaceful recovery days focusing on the baby and easing back into work. The reality? Very different. I found myself juggling newborn care, a demanding toddler, the usual household chaos, and trying to keep my business afloat, all while recovering from major surgery. Honestly, it was overwhelming. I remember sitting on the floor, surrounded by toys, laundry, and a crying baby, feeling completely lost and wondering if I’d made the right decision to pursue my PhD alongside everything else. It felt impossible. But then I remembered a quote by Layla Hormozi: "Your business needs to serve your life, not the other way around. Build systems that give you freedom." That became my mantra. I started small, automating one task at a time, scheduling even tiny pockets of focused work, and asking for help (even if it wasn't the ideal kind). It was a slow process, but it helped me regain a sense of control and showed me the power of small, consistent action, especially when the big picture felt overwhelming. I realized that even amidst the chaos, I could still make progress towards my vision. When you feel those "buts" creeping in and start doubting your ability to manage it all, ask yourself: What's the smallest viable step I can take right now to move closer to that vision?

But the beauty of entrepreneurship is that you get to define your journey. You get to choose how you respond to those "buts." You can let them be obstacles, or you can turn them into opportunities for creative problem-solving. What's one area where you're currently feeling stuck or overwhelmed? Perhaps it's managing your social media presence, creating consistent content, or streamlining your client onboarding process. Pick one thing, lovely, just one, and ask yourself, “How can I simplify this? What's the smallest step I can take today to make this easier, more efficient, or more enjoyable?” Maybe it's scheduling 15 minutes to brainstorm content ideas, exploring one new AI tool that could automate a tedious task, or simply reaching out to a fellow entrepreneur for support. It's about taking ownership of your progress, one small step at a time, and building a business that truly aligns with the life you want to live. And honestly, lovely, that’s the most empowering thing you can do. Ready to take that step?

What’s one small step you can take today to design a business that truly supports your dream lifestyle? Share it below! I’d love to hear from you.

Carlene Nisbett

Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista (Coach, Mentor, Speaker)

Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5'0" tall Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift

P.S. This workbook is just the beginning!

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