Embracing Beautiful Chaos: Business, Family & AI Magic
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Mar 23
- 7 min read
Embracing the Beautiful Chaos: How I Run a Business & a Family of Six (Plus Two Miniature Pinschers!)
Right, let's be honest, who hasn't felt like they're juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle, especially when building a business alongside a busy family life? If you're nodding along, trust me, you're in good company. As Founder & CEO of Femmeprenista, a wife, mum of four (ranging from a teenager navigating the joys of GCSEs to a little one who thinks my laptop is a very expensive chew toy), and pet mum to two miniature pinchers (Cappuccino and Espresso – they’re a whole other level of energetic entertainment), "organised chaos" is my daily mantra. So, how do I navigate this beautiful, often bonkers, blend of board meetings and bedtime stories? Let’s dive in – I'm spilling the tea (or maybe the wine – it’s wine o'clock somewhere, right?!) on how I make it work.
From Public Relations to Chaos Conductor: Why Flexibility is My Non-Negotiable
My journey to entrepreneurship wasn't a straight line. It was more of a zig-zag, with stints in the world of public relations and marketing (Apple, Electrolux – talk about a culture shock!), a sprinkle of entrepreneurial sparks (remember selling sweets in the playground? Early hustle!), and now, building Femmeprenista while juggling PhD research and, oh yeah, those four little humans. There was a moment, though, amidst the chaos, when I nearly broke. Picture this: third C-section recovery, PhD deadlines looming, a toddler throwing a tantrum about the color of her socks (seriously!), and a critical business presentation to prepare for. As a Foundation Builder, juggling all of this whilst trying to get your business off the ground, I know you'll agree this can feel like the world is collapsing around you. But then, something shifted. I remembered my "why" - the burning desire to build a business that truly served my life, not the other way around. I took a deep breath, prioritized ruthlessly, and leaned hard on my support system (my amazing partner, bless him!). That experience solidified my commitment to not just surviving, but thriving in this beautiful chaos, one strategic step at a time. Honestly, it's a bit of a madhouse sometimes!
The corporate world, while offering valuable experience, often felt like a gilded cage. The limited leave, especially when faced with the "12-13 weeks of school holidays" reality, just didn't fit with my vision of being a present mum. You know that sinking feeling when you realise your child is off school for three months and your annual leave barely covers half of that? Yeah, that was my catalyst. I vividly recall trying to have a serious business conversation during a team meeting, only to have it punctuated by my toddler daughter yelling, "Mummy, poo poo!" from the background. Let's just say it didn't exactly project the image of a calm, collected female entrepreneur I was aiming for! It was a clear sign I needed a different path – one where I could be both a CEO and answer the call of nature (my child's, that is!). As Lisa Nichols says, “Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows. Then you can serve others, joyfully, from your saucer.”
My Secret Weapon: Systems, Mindset & a Dash of AI Magic
So, how do I actually do it all? It’s not about superpowers (though some days I do feel like I need them!), but about three core pillars: building sustainable systems, mastering my mindset, and integrating AI strategically.
1. Systems are Your Superpower
Forget multi-tasking, it's all about smart systems. Think of it like this: imagine trying to bake a cake without a recipe. You’d be flinging ingredients around, hoping for the best, and probably ending up with a very interesting (but not very edible) creation. Systems are your recipe for success – they provide the structure and clarity you need to manage the beautiful chaos. For me, that means having clear processes for everything from client onboarding to content creation. I use Trello to manage projects, schedule content in advance using social media management tools, and rely on my trusty Google Calendar for, well, everything!
Streamlining Client Onboarding: Having a clear, step-by-step process for welcoming new clients ensures a smooth and positive experience from the start.
Content Creation Calendar: Planning and scheduling content in advance frees up mental space and ensures consistent, valuable output.
Project Management with Trello: This visual tool helps me organize tasks, track progress, and collaborate with my team (even if my "team" sometimes includes my teenage daughter helping with social media!).
I'm a huge fan of leveraging technology, especially AI. Think of AI as your super-efficient assistant, handling the repetitive tasks (like scheduling social media, managing emails, even transcribing meeting notes – lifesaver!) so you can focus on the big picture stuff. For instance, I've automated several of my email sequences, which saves me hours each week. AI also helps me analyse data to refine my marketing strategies and make smarter decisions about where to focus my efforts. My partner, by the way, works in Generative AI, so let’s just say we're a pretty tech-savvy household! Even my teenage daughter is more fluent in coding than I ever will be.
2. Mindset Mastery: Owning Your Beautiful Chaos
Let’s get real: some days, the juggle feels less like a graceful ballet and more like a slapstick comedy routine. You're trying to finish a proposal, the baby’s having a meltdown, the dogs are barking at the postman, and you're pretty sure you just stepped on a rogue Lego (again!). It’s in these moments that mindset becomes everything. Reflections informed by my ongoing PhD research into Black female entrepreneurship often highlight this – it’s not the external chaos that defines us, it’s our internal response to it.
What’s one limiting belief that might be holding you back from embracing your beautiful chaos? Is it the fear of not being "perfect" or the idea that you have to do it all alone?
Remember, you are the captain of your ship. You get to choose how you respond to the waves, even when they feel overwhelming.
What’s one small action you can take today to shift your mindset towards empowerment and ownership?
As Paulo Coelho says, “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”
It's about accepting the beautiful chaos, reminding yourself that you're not alone, and focusing on what you can control (your actions, your mindset, your systems). It's about recognizing that even if your journey is "slower" or "different" because you're juggling family commitments and building a business simultaneously, that’s perfectly okay. What matters is that you own your progress and keep moving forward, even if it’s one small, smart step at a time. Ever feel like you’re the tortoise in a race full of hares? Me too, sometimes! And that’s okay – as long as you keep moving. As Jim Rohn so wisely put it, "Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day."
3. AI Integration: Working Smarter, Not Harder
This is where the "magic" comes in. Think of AI not as a scary robot overlord but as your incredibly efficient personal assistant, helping you automate those time-consuming tasks that used to steal your precious hours (and sanity!). From scheduling social media posts to managing client communication, AI can free up your time and energy so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business and being present with your family. For example, using AI-powered tools to automate email responses or social media scheduling can free up significant time for strategic planning or client interaction. It’s about working smarter, not harder – a principle I live by!
Imagine having a virtual assistant who can handle all the tedious admin, freeing you up to focus on the strategic, creative, and high-impact aspects of your business. Since integrating AI more strategically into my own workflows – for example, by using an AI-powered scheduling tool to optimize my calendar and free up two hours per week for focused client work – I've seen a 20% increase in client engagement and a 15% boost in overall productivity – talk about a game-changer! That's the power of AI. It's like having a secret weapon in the entrepreneurial battle against overwhelm – and it's something we explore in depth at Femmeprenista, especially within our Momentum Coaching programme. Find out how Momentum Coaching can help you scale your business as a Scaling Leader here: Explore Momentum Coaching
Juggler's Toolkit: Practical Tips for Female Entrepreneurs
Here are some quick, actionable tips that have become my lifesavers:
Time Blocking Like a Boss: Schedule everything – work tasks, family time, even those precious moments for self-care (bubble bath and a glass of wine, anyone?). Treat these blocks as non-negotiable appointments.
Embrace the Power of "No": It's okay to say no to commitments that don't align with your priorities or drain your energy. Your time and energy are your most valuable assets.
Build Your Tribe: Connect with other female entrepreneurs. Sharing the juggle, celebrating wins, and having a supportive community makes all the difference. Join our free Femme Connect community – it’s a lifeline! Join Femme:Connect Today
Outsource & Automate: Delegate what you can, automate what you can't. This is where AI really shines.
Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge your progress, even the tiny steps. Every win, no matter how small, deserves a celebration.
Ready to Embrace Your Own Beautiful Chaos?
Building a business and raising a family is a wild ride, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. It’s about creating a life you genuinely love, a life where you can be both a CEO and a mum (or whatever roles you cherish). It’s about owning your journey, embracing the beautiful chaos, and finding the systems and support that work for you.
What’s one small step you can take today to make your own juggle a little smoother? Is it finally scheduling that time for yourself or delegating a task that's been weighing you down? Share it below – let's support each other!
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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