Embrace Entrepreneurial Motherhood Beautiful Chaos & Thrive!

When the Dog Eats Your Business Cards (and Other Adventures in Entrepreneurial Motherhood)

Right, let's be honest, who hasn't had one of those days? You know, the kind where you're finally feeling like you're getting a handle on this whole "business owner, mum, partner, PhD student, chief dog walker, & reluctant plant whisperer" gig (because honestly, how many hats can one person wear?), & then… BAM! Life throws you a curveball. In my case, that curveball came in the form of Espresso, my whirlwind of a Miniature Pinscher puppy, deciding my freshly printed business cards were the perfect afternoon snack. Picture this: I walked into my office (which, let's be real, is more like a corner of the living room strategically barricaded with soft play equipment & smelling faintly of Play-Doh), ready to finally tackle that mountain of "to-dos." The aroma of my freshly brewed coffee mingled with the lingering scent of whatever "science experiment" my six-year-old had conducted earlier that morning (I'm pretty sure it involved baking soda & vinegar, but at this point, I'm too afraid to ask). I sat down, took a deep breath, & then… I saw it. Or rather, I didn't see it. My brand-new stack of business cards, proudly displayed on my desk just an hour ago, had vanished. In their place was a confetti of shredded cardstock, scattered across the floor like a bizarre, puppy-themed ticker-tape parade. And there, amidst the carnage, sat Espresso, bless her hyperactive heart, looking at me with that innocent, "Who, me?" expression that only a puppy can pull off. The smell of chewed paper & puppy breath filled the air. My initial reaction? A mix of disbelief, exasperation, & the urge to spontaneously combust. Because, seriously, who needs business cards when you've got a four-legged, paper-shredding machine?

But then… I laughed. Because what else can you do? This, my friends, is the glorious, chaotic reality of being a female entrepreneur & a mum. It's a rollercoaster of triumphs & tribulations, of strategic planning sessions interrupted by toddler tantrums, & of perfectly crafted marketing emails sent with one hand while the other is preventing a small human from using the dog's water bowl as a hat. Honestly, sometimes you just have to embrace the beautiful chaos!

Embracing the Beautiful Chaos: Adaptability is Your Superpower

The "dog ate my business cards" incident became a powerful reminder: adaptability is not just a desirable skill for entrepreneurs, it's your absolute superpower. In the world of business, especially when you're juggling family life, things rarely go exactly as planned. My own journey, especially navigating my PhD research on Black female entrepreneurship while raising four kids (including a baby & toddler), has reinforced this. It's like when my eldest was learning to ride a bike. There were tears, tantrums, & a fair few scraped knees. But she kept getting back on, kept trying, kept adapting her approach until, one sunny afternoon, it just clicked. That's the entrepreneurial spirit – a blend of persistence, adaptability, & the ability to find joy in the journey, even when it's messy. You might twist your ankle, but the difference is, you get back up again. You pivot. You adapt. You find a way to make it work. & sometimes, you even find a way to laugh about it. It's like that saying goes: "There is no failure, only feedback!"

From Chaos to Control: The Power of Systems (and a Sense of Humour)

So, how do you navigate this beautiful chaos & actually get things done? It's a question I've grappled with a lot, especially during those early days when I was juggling the demands of building Femmeprenista, motherhood, & let's not forget, my own academic pursuits (because who needs sleep when you have a PhD deadline & a toddler who thinks 4am is playtime?). My ongoing PhD research into Black female entrepreneurship has shown me how crucial it is to work smarter, not harder. For me, robust systems are key to achieving this. Think of it this way: systems are like your reliable co-pilot on this entrepreneurial rollercoaster. They help you navigate the twists, turns, and unexpected turbulence. Let's break down how:

• Automated Email Sequences: Imagine having a virtual assistant gently guiding your leads through a nurture sequence, sharing valuable content and building trust, even while you're busy with the school run or deciphering toddler language. That's the power of automation. It's like pre-scheduling bedtime stories for your business, ensuring your message is delivered consistently, even when you're not "on stage."

• Project Management Tools (Trello, Asana): Ever feel like you're juggling flaming torches while balancing on a tightrope? These tools are your safety net, keeping all those spinning plates (projects, deadlines, tasks) organized and visible. They help you prioritize what truly matters, preventing that "where do I even start?" overwhelm. I even use them to manage family stuff – grocery lists, school projects, and remembering whose turn it is to walk the dogs (Cappuccino and Espresso would definitely stage a protest if their walks were ever forgotten!).

• Batching Similar Tasks: This is one of my favourite productivity hacks. Think of it like meal prepping for your business. Instead of scattering your energy throughout the week, dedicate specific blocks of time to similar tasks. Schedule all your social media posts for the week in one go, batch your client emails, or create all your marketing graphics in one focused session. It's amazing how much more you can accomplish when you're not constantly context-switching.

My own research has shown that even implementing basic systems can lead to a 20% increase in productivity and a significant reduction in stress. I've definitely had my share of tech meltdowns along the way – one time I spent two hours setting up a new automation, only for it to start emailing my personal contacts instead of my subscribers. Talk about cringeworthy! But even these mishaps are valuable feedback. It's the persistence that pays off. It's about progress, not perfection.

A Sense of Humour: Let's be honest, some days you just have to laugh. Because if you don't laugh, you'll cry. & who has time for that when there's a business to run, kids to nurture, & a puppy who clearly has a taste for premium cardstock? Imagine trying to deliver a killer webinar while your toddler is in the background conducting a "concert" with pots & pans. It's definitely not ideal, but sometimes, you just have to roll with it, find the humor, & remember that this is all part of the journey. A sense of humour, my friends, is not just a coping mechanism; it's a sign of resilience. It's a reminder that you're not alone in this crazy, beautiful journey. It’s like the saying goes: "If I don't laugh, I'll cry. And ain't nobody got time for that!" You can learn more about our Business Flourish Framework Business Flourish Framework

Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones: The Femmeprenista Way

The Femmeprenista philosophy is all about empowering you to create a flourishing business that fits seamlessly into your life – the real, messy, beautiful life of a modern female entrepreneur who is an Established Business Leader. It's about ditching the "hustle culture" myth & embracing a more holistic, sustainable approach. We believe that challenges are inevitable, but how you respond to those challenges is what defines your success. We're here to help you navigate the "messy middle," those moments when you feel like you're juggling flaming torches while balancing on a tightrope (and, let’s be real, sometimes, it really feels like that). So, next time life throws you a curveball (or a puppy throws up a half-digested business card), take a deep breath, find the humour in the situation, & remember: You've got this. You’re resourceful. You're resilient. & you are absolutely capable of turning setbacks into stepping stones. What's one small, smart thing you can do today to own your progress & move closer to your vision? Share it below – let's cheer each other on!

Ready to ditch the chaos & build a business that truly flourishes? Join our free Femme:Connect community for support & connection. It's the perfect place to find accountability partners, access free masterclasses on client attraction, get practical tips for navigating those 12–13 weeks of school holidays, & connect with other female entrepreneurs who really get the juggle. Femme: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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