Entrepreneurial Parent Strategic Imperfection: Embrace the Chaos

The Benign Neglect of the Entrepreneurial Parent (or, How My Kids Taught Me Strategic Imperfection)

Right, let’s be honest. If you're a Foundation Builder, juggling clients, team, & family responsibilities while getting your business off the ground, how many times have you, mid-Zoom call, desperately tried to mime “Mummy’s working!” to a small human brandishing a rogue sock puppet? I’m not talking about neglecting my children’s well-being (they are my world, after all!). I’m talking about the inevitable trade-offs, the strategic imperfections, & the little (or sometimes not-so-little) things that fall through the cracks when you’re pouring your heart into multiple passions. Or maybe you’ve presented a seemingly flawless webinar, while silently praying your toddler wouldn’t discover the joys of finger painting… on the newly painted living room wall (just me?). If this sounds even remotely familiar, then welcome, my friend. You are officially inducted into the chaotic, beautiful, & often hilarious club of the Entrepreneurial Parent.

As a mum of four, a PhD student, & the CEO of not one, but two businesses (Femmeprenista & Thrivology Digital - someone send coffee!), the concept of “balance” often feels like a mythical unicorn prancing on a rainbow. It’s something I strive for, but honestly, most days, it’s more like a beautifully orchestrated juggling act where the occasional ball does drop. And you know what? I’m learning to be okay with that.

I vividly remember one particularly chaotic morning trying to finalize a presentation for a key client. Picture this: toddler throwing a tantrum because her toast wasn't cut into triangles (the horror!), my six-year-old having a meltdown because her favourite unicorn headband had mysteriously vanished (probably abducted by the sock puppet from earlier), & me, frantically trying to add the finishing touches to my slides while simultaneously mediating a truce involving promises of extra screen time & a unicorn-themed treasure hunt. Let's just say, my carefully rehearsed opening lines went out the window the moment the client joined the call. But, you know, we still nailed the presentation! Sometimes, embracing the crazy is the only way. What's your most hilarious "juggle struggle"? Share in the comments – solidarity, sisters!

Embracing the Messy Middle: Redefining "Balance"

These scenarios, while sometimes hilariously cringe-worthy, are the real-life moments that have taught me a crucial lesson: perfect balance is a unicorn. What’s actually sustainable, & dare I say, more powerful, is strategic imperfection. It’s about consciously choosing where to focus your energy & accepting that certain things will inevitably get less attention, at least for a season. A 2022 study by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (https://www.gemconsortium.org/) found that women entrepreneurs with children under 18 were significantly more likely to report challenges balancing work & family demands. This resonates deeply with my own experience & the experiences of so many women in our Femme Connect community.

Initially, I tried to compartmentalize everything perfectly:

• Dedicated work blocks

• Strict family time

• Scheduled self-care

But it just wasn’t realistic. Life, especially with four kids & two very energetic Miniature Pinschers (Cappuccino & Espresso, my furry little chaos-makers!), is just too unpredictable.

In my PhD research, I'm exploring this very tension between the idealized image of the "balanced entrepreneur" and the lived reality of women juggling multiple roles. It's clear that a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn't work. What finally clicked for me (and what I’m seeing in my research) is that "balance" isn't about rigidly adhering to a schedule; it's about building resilience, designing flexible systems, and owning your choices. It's about recognizing that sometimes, you're the tortoise, not the hare, and that slow, consistent progress is still progress. What's one area of your business where you could build more flexibility into the system? Let's chat in the comments!

What finally worked was embracing the "messy middle," accepting the imperfections, & finding systems that create flow despite the inevitable curveballs. For me, this means being fully present with my kids when they're sharing their little pottery creations (even if it means moving a deadline) & then carving out focused work time when they’re at school or (hallelujah!) asleep. It’s about building robust systems & processes in my business so I can operate more efficiently & reclaim precious time. It’s about prioritizing my well-being so I can show up as the best version of myself for both my family & my business. Prioritising my well-being makes me feel as though I'm a whale, strong enough to create my own current & navigate whatever comes my way! One incredibly stressful week, deadlines were looming, the kids were bouncing off the walls (literally – they'd discovered a new trampoline park video on YouTube), & I felt like I was drowning in to-dos. I knew I had to implement that "15 minutes of self-care" advice I kept preaching, or I was going to lose it. I locked myself in the bathroom (the only room with a lock!), put on some calming music, & just breathed for 15 minutes. It felt like a tiny drop in the ocean of overwhelm, but it was enough to reset my frazzled brain & tackle my priority tasks with a little more sanity. It’s a simple system, but it works. What’s your go-to sanity saver?

From Guilt to Grace: Letting Go of Perfectionism

I know many of us carry this heavy weight of “mum-guilt” when we’re not able to do it all perfectly. We berate ourselves for the missed school play or the slightly burnt dinner (or the rogue banana peel incident – it still haunts me). But I'm learning to replace guilt with grace, both for myself & for my fellow female entrepreneurs. Hard work & smart work are essential, yes, but so is self-compassion. What's one area where you can give yourself a little grace today?

Communication is Key (& Laughter is Essential)

Open communication with your family is crucial. My partner & I regularly check in, making sure we’re on the same page about who’s handling what (he's my rock, my personal workaholic, & a fellow PhD student, which makes for some interesting study sessions!). We don't shy away from talking about the challenges, the compromises, & yes, sometimes even the resentment that can surface when the pressure’s on. And trust me, sometimes those study sessions involve more deciphering toddler-babble or mediating a dog-toy tug-of-war between Cappuccino & Espresso than actual academic discussion! It's all part of the juggle. Remembering to laugh at the absurdity of it all is truly a lifesaver.

From Chaos to Clarity: Your Smallest Viable Step

This journey of juggling entrepreneurship & parenthood is not a sprint, it’s a marathon (or maybe an ultra-marathon with some unexpected hurdles thrown in, like a rogue bouncy castle appearing on the track). It’s about taking one step at a time, celebrating small victories, & remembering that your pace is your pace. As a Foundation Builder, you're laying the groundwork for your empire. Focus on getting the fundamentals right.

Here are a few ideas for your smallest viable step today, tailored specifically for you:

• Set a Client Onboarding Boundary: Tired of late-night client emails derailing your evening routine? Set a clear cut-off time for responding to client inquiries & stick to it. Use an auto-responder to manage expectations & protect your time. This will free up your evenings and demonstrate professionalism. What time will you set as your boundary?

• Schedule a Marketing Power Hour: Block out just one focused hour this week to plan your social media content or create a simple lead magnet. Consistency is key, & even a small, dedicated time slot can make a big difference in building visibility. Which day & time works best for you?

• Delegate Your Inbox Management: Drowning in emails? Delegate the task of sorting & prioritizing your inbox to a virtual assistant for just a few hours a week. This will free you to focus on high-impact tasks that require your unique expertise. What's one task you can delegate today?

• Embrace "Good Enough" on Your Website: Feeling overwhelmed by perfecting your website? Focus on launching a simple, functional site that clearly communicates your core offer & captures leads. You can always refine it later. What's the one essential page you can finish today?

If you’re ready for a structured approach to validate your business idea & get clarity on your target audience, my Spark program might be just what you need! Find out if it's the right fit for you: https://www.femmeprenista.com/spark

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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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