Entrepreneur Mum Work-Life Balance: Embrace the Mess!

When Your "Mini-Me" Becomes Your "Mini-Marketing Director" (and Redecorates Your Logo)

Okay, let's talk about "help." That mythical creature we female entrepreneurs are always chasing, right? Sometimes, it appears in the most unexpected (and let's be honest, slightly terrifying) forms. Like when your little Picasso decides your carefully crafted logo mock-ups need a bit more... flair.

Picture this: I'm finally carving out some precious "me" time – which, let's be real, actually translates to "business building" time. The baby is miraculously napping (hallelujah!), the toddler is happily occupied with a strategically placed pile of Tupperware (genius, I know), and I'm deep in the zone, reviewing logo designs for Femmeprenista. I've got sleek fonts, minimalist colour palettes, the whole shebang. I'm envisioning this logo gracing websites, business cards, maybe even a billboard one day (a girl can dream, right?). I was aiming for that clean, professional look – you know, the kind that screams "established expert," not "still figuring things out in my pyjamas." (Which, between us, is often the reality!).

I step away for all of five minutes to grab a lukewarm cuppa (because, motherhood) and what do I find upon my return? My laptop screen, once displaying professional design options, is now a vibrant explosion of shimmeringviolet scribbles. The scent of crayons hung in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of my rapidly cooling tea. My minimalist masterpiece? Now adorned with what appears to be a family of stick figures (with surprisingly detailed hair, I might add), a rather lopsided, orange sun, and a generous sprinkling of purple glitter. My two-year-old stood beside the laptop, beaming proudly, a stray streak of violet across her cheek. Honestly, one of my daughters decided to take my logo designs for a joy ride. My initial reaction? Let's just say it involved a deep breath, a silent prayer for patience, and a flash of that familiar "mum-guilt" – that feeling of being torn between the demands of my business and the needs of my little ones. There have definitely been times when that guilt has felt like a lead weight, pulling me down, making me question if I could really do this whole "entrepreneur-mum" thing. But I'm still here, learning, growing, and finding my way. Just like you.

Now, I could have gone into full-on "stressed-out CEO" mode. I could have lamented the lost time, the disrupted workflow, the glitter now permanently embedded in my keyboard (the joys of mom life!). But then I took another deep breath, and something shifted. I saw not a disaster, but a hilarious, albeit slightly messy, reminder of the beautiful chaos that is my life. & a deeper lesson emerged.

Embracing the Imperfect Squiggles of Entrepreneurship

My mini-marketing director, bless her heart, reminded me that perfection isn’t the goal, consistent progress is. Remember that old tortoise & hare fable? Slow & steady, my friends. Building a business, especially while juggling the joys (and the, shall we say, creative challenges) of motherhood, is not a sprint. It's a marathon, often run in glitter-covered trainers with a Paw Patrol soundtrack. Sound familiar? My own PhD journey, alongside four kids & a business, often feels like that marathon – slower, yes, but the finish line is still there, & taking ownership of my pace is key. This whole "PhD-mum-entrepreneur" thing isn't always pretty; there are days when it feels like I'm moving at a snail's pace. But I keep reminding myself: it’s my journey, my pace, and my responsibility. And that’s enough.

This little logo incident really speaks to the heart of the Femmeprenista philosophy. It's about finding the joy in the unexpected, celebrating the unique blend of family & business, and embracing the imperfections along the way. It's about building a business that fits into your life, not the other way around. Because, let's be honest, who has time for anything else when you're trying to keep tiny humans (and enthusiastic puppies) alive, while simultaneously building your empire? & seriously, who has the bandwidth for anything else unless it’s made super simple, right?

Turning "Uh-Oh" Moments into "Aha!" Moments

This whole experience got me thinking about how we, as female entrepreneurs, can reframe these unexpected "help" moments. Because, let's be real, there will be more. Plenty more. The key is to shift our perspective. Honestly, "life lessons" aren't always neatly packaged, are they? My research on work-life balance as part of my PhD often highlights this very point – the messy reality versus the idealized vision. For example, I distinctly remember trying to write a chapter of my dissertation while my toddler decided to "help" by emptying an entire box of tissues onto the floor, one by one. I felt that wave of overwhelm crash over me. But then I reminded myself that these are the moments that make my journey unique, and that finding a way to integrate the "mum" part with the "PhD" part is my own personal challenge.

Instead of seeing these moments as setbacks, see them as co-creation opportunities. Maybe your little one's "design input" sparks an unexpected creative direction. Maybe their "help" with your social media post (by accidentally sending a gibberish tweet) leads to a hilarious viral moment. You never know.

3 Steps to Turn Frustration into Fuel:

1. Pause & Breathe: Seriously, close your eyes, take three deep breaths, and remind yourself this is temporary. (This little trick, inspired by José Silva’s mind control techniques, helps me re-center when I'm about to lose it.)

2. Find the Funny: Look for the humor in the situation. Can you turn this into a relatable story for your audience? (Think: "My kid just became my social media manager. Here's the post they 'helped' me create...")

3. Turn it into Content: Document these moments! Create a dedicated "funny story" file on your phone to capture these gems. These real-life anecdotes, infused with your unique personality, can become gold for authentic content marketing later. Think of it as your personal "story bank." Another Juggler's Shortcut? Batch-record short video snippets reacting to these moments while they're fresh in your mind. Authentic, relatable content, done!

& even if it doesn't lead to a marketing miracle, it will lead to a good story. & stories, my friends, are the currency of connection. They are what make us relatable, human, & build trust with our audience. Rory Sutherland, the "Ogilvy behavioral science guru," says, "Stories are the PDF files of human information," meaning they’re how we store and share knowledge in a way that sticks. So, embrace the chaos, document the journey, & share the laughs.

Finding Your Tribe in the Beautiful Mess

It can feel isolating sometimes, can't it? Especially when you're juggling all the things & feel like you're the only one navigating this beautiful mess. If you're looking for support, connection, and a safe space to share your wins & struggles (without the judgement), come join us in Femme:Connect. We share tips on navigating the "12 to 13 weeks of school holidays" challenge, masterclasses on attracting consistent clients, and access to templates that save you precious time. Plus, it’s a great place to find accountability partners who understand the unique juggle of motherhood and entrepreneurship. Find support, connection, and maybe even a few hilarious stories to commiserate over Join Femme:Connect Today.

From Frustration to Focus: A Little Mindset Shift

So, next time your little one decides to "help" by redecorating your logo, take a deep breath, find the humour, and remember: it's all part of the journey. It's a messy, beautiful, glitter-infused journey. & it's yours. Own it.

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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