CEO Motherhood PhD Juggle: Stolen Moments to Thrive | Femmeprenista

Stolen Moments, Strategic Steps: How I Navigate the Beautiful Chaos of CEO Life, PhD Research, and Motherhood

Ever feel like you're juggling flaming torches while balancing on a tightrope… all while trying to look effortlessly graceful? You know that feeling, right? Welcome to my world! As CEO of Femmeprenista, a PhD researcher delving into the fascinating world of Black female entrepreneurship, and a mum of four (plus two energetic Miniature Pinschers – Cappuccino and Espresso – it's a whole thing!), "busy" doesn't even begin to cover it. I mean, just last week, I was trying to deliver a presentation for my PhD cohort when Espresso decided the perfect moment for a zoomie session, bouncing off the walls behind me while Cappuccino looked on with a "been there, done that" expression. It wasn't exactly the image of serene academic focus I was aiming for, but hey, that's the real-life juggle, isn’t it? But here's the secret: even amidst the beautiful chaos, consistent progress is possible. And it all starts with a shift in perspective and a commitment to working smart, not just hard.

From Caster Oil Catastrophes to Car Park Epiphanies: Finding My "Why"

Let's be honest here for a sec, the entrepreneurial journey, especially as a mum, is rarely a smooth, Instagram-perfect path. I've had mornings where I've walked out the door with one sock on (and don’t even get me started on finding tiny handprints all over a freshly-painted wall… just moments before a crucial client call – a fresh coat of paint isn’t what I meant by creating a standout brand!). One particularly memorable morning involved a rogue tube of glitter glue, a toddler with a newfound artistic passion, and me desperately trying to scrub shimmering artwork off the dog… and my brand-new white sofa! Ever been there? These moments, as frustrating as they can be, are part of the real, raw tapestry of building a business while raising a family.

My own journey has been anything but linear. I remember, fresh out of university, co-founding my first business, Nisbett & George, fueled by that "now or never" feeling after the E-Factor competition during my final year. That whole experience felt like a pivotal moment - fresh out of university, and a new mum, so there was an incredible drive to make the idea work. It was an incredible learning experience, but ultimately, it taught me a hard lesson about the importance of aligned commitment in partnerships. I wanted to go all in, but my partner, not a parent at the time, understandably needed the stability of a regular job. We had fundamentally different views on time & risk tolerance, which, as you can imagine, created friction. It’s like that fable about The Little Red Hen, slaving away while everyone else joins the party only when the bread is baked… frustrating, right?! It wasn't really about blaming them; it was more about the need for partners to be on the same page.

Then came the corporate years, working for big brands like Apple & Electrolux. While I gained valuable experience in retail marketing, managing international campaigns & leading teams, I often felt like a replaceable cog in a giant machine. Remember that time a senior leader looked at us & bluntly said, “You’re all replaceable"? That didn’t exactly inspire loyalty or make me feel valued! This feeling, coupled with limited leave for school holidays (“12-13 weeks… do parents get three months off? No!”) further fuelled my entrepreneurial fire.

The pivotal turning point was my MBA at Cranfield. I still remember the electric feeling of the taster day, like a mini explosion going off in my head. And then, a completely random conversation in the car park with Andrew, the programme director – he mentioned scholarships & something just clicked. I knew this was the next step. As Tony Robbins says, "It's not knowing what to do, it's doing what you know." I recall being in my manager’s office at Electrolux literally that afternoon, about to resign when I got the email about my acceptance & scholarship… it was a surreal but very definite “signpost”. But here’s the twist: the MBA didn’t lead me to a better corporate job. It made me realize I wanted something more – more autonomy, more impact, more life. It was about the quality of it, not just the salary, you know?

That’s my "why." It's about building a life where my business serves my family, not the other way around. It's about creating a legacy for my children & empowering other women to do the same. It's about showing them (and myself!) that even with four kids, two dogs, & a PhD, it’s absolutely possible to create something extraordinary.

The Power of "Stolen Moments" & Strategic Systems

So, how do I actually do it all? The short answer? I don't. At least, not in the way you might think. I don't believe in superhuman feats of multitasking or sacrificing sleep. It's about intentionality, efficient systems, & the power of "stolen moments." As Jim Rohn said, "Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day.” There was a time when I thought I could power through everything by sheer force of will, but quickly learned that wasn't sustainable. I'd be up all night trying to catch up, fueled by copious amounts of coffee, & end up feeling utterly depleted, like a wilted houseplant desperately needing water (and probably a large glass of wine!).

Reflections informed by my ongoing research into Black female entrepreneurship often highlight the incredible resourcefulness of women navigating multiple demands. We are masters of making things happen, even with limited resources & constant interruptions. This resonates so deeply with my own experience. It's really funny, because I've learned to leverage those little pockets of time – the 15 minutes while the baby naps, the 30 minutes during the school run – for focused, high-impact work.

• Prioritize & Plan: I start by identifying the 2-3 MOST important tasks for the day. These are the needle-movers, not the busywork.

• Time Blocking: I schedule these tasks into those "stolen moments," treating them like important appointments.

• Eliminate Distractions: During those focused bursts, I put my phone on airplane mode, close unnecessary tabs, & tell the family, "Mummy's in Focus Mode!" It’s amazing how much you can achieve in short bursts when you’re fully present.

A crucial part of this is having rock-solid systems in place. Think of it like this: you can’t build a skyscraper without a blueprint & strong foundations. The Femmeprenista Business Flourish Framework provides just that – a robust structure for building a sustainable business. It’s all about sharpening your mindset, creating an authentic brand, streamlining your systems, prioritizing your wellbeing, & integrating AI strategically. Of course, there are days when even the best systems fail – like when my pre-scheduled social media posts about 'time management' went out while I was dealing with a kid's fever & a flooded bathroom! But that's life, right? We just pick ourselves up and start again. If you’re constantly reacting to every notification or spending hours manually creating invoices, you'll quickly burn out. As Layla Hormozi says, "Your business needs to serve your life, not the other way around. Build systems that give you freedom." And trust me, with everything I juggle, I need that freedom!

I'm a huge advocate for leveraging technology, especially AI, to streamline processes. For example, I use an AI scheduling tool that integrates with my CRM & automatically sends appointment reminders to clients, saving me hours each week. It’s not about replacing the human touch, but about freeing up our time & energy for the things that truly matter: strategy, connection, creativity. This is where the seamless integration of AI becomes your superpower. Imagine using AI to analyze your marketing data, personalize client communication, or automate content creation – freeing you to focus on building genuine connections or simply being present with your family. Perhaps consider incorporating smart AI tools to truly streamline your processes & delegate or ditch what’s not serving you. Imagine having a virtual assistant that handles scheduling, email marketing, & social media posting, so you can focus on high-level strategy or simply be present with your family.

From Overwhelm to Empowerment: Owning Your Journey

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re juggling multiple roles. Believe me, I get it! There are days when I feel like I’m drowning in a sea of to-do lists, surrounded by kids' toys and piles of research papers. There was a point, after my fourth C-section, juggling a newborn, a toddler, and my PhD research, while also trying to keep the business afloat, that I felt completely lost. I remember thinking, "How am I supposed to do all this?" It was a moment of profound vulnerability, where I realized I couldn't keep pushing myself in the same way. It was during this challenging time that I truly leaned into the power of systems, mindset, and small, strategic steps to reclaim my time & energy. But here's the crucial mindset shift: you are the captain of your ship. Yes, the system might have thrown you some curveballs, but it’s your responsibility to navigate the storm. As William Ernest Henley wrote, “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”

My own path, especially with four kids & a PhD, has shown me that while the journey might be slower or different, taking ownership is non-negotiable. It’s not about blaming external factors; it's about focusing on what you can control – your mindset, your actions, your choices. Remember, consistent action, even in small doses, will always lead to progress. It’s like that tortoise & the hare story… slow & steady, with the right mindset & systems, absolutely wins the race.

One simple but powerful way to start is by taking five minutes each morning to write down three things you want to achieve today for your business, not just tasks. Another quick win? Schedule your week in advance, blocking out time for both work tasks and personal commitments (family time, self-care, even just a quiet cuppa!). This helps prevent that constant feeling of being pulled in a million directions. It's about getting clear – which is what we work on a lot with our clients at Femmeprenista, especially those in the Foundation Builder stage, just starting out and feeling overwhelmed.

Ready to Steal Back Your Time & Build a Business that Flourishes?

The beautiful chaos of entrepreneurship & motherhood doesn't have to be a constant battle. It can be an incredible journey of growth, fulfillment, & empowerment. Join our free Femme Connect community Femme:Connect Community Page for support, inspiration, & connection with other incredible women who get it. We share tips, celebrate wins, & navigate the juggle together – it's a truly amazing space. Imagine having access to a supportive network of women who understand the unique challenges you face, whether it’s the school holiday juggle, dealing with tech overwhelm, or finding clients who value your work. We offer free masterclasses, accountability groups, & a wealth of resources to help you build a thriving business.

It's time to stop feeling overwhelmed & start feeling empowered. You've got this! Ready to take that first step towards creating a flourishing business & a life you love? Join our free global online community for ambitious female entrepreneurs at all stages, Femme:ConnectFemme:Connect Community Page.

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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