Entrepreneurship GCSEs & Beautiful Chaos: Mum's Guide to Balance

GCSEs, Puppies, & the Beautiful Chaos of Entrepreneurship

Right, let's be honest, who hasn't felt like their life is a beautifully orchestrated (or maybe not so orchestrated!) chaos, especially when you're juggling a business, kids, & maybe even a couple of furry companions? I know I have. In fact, I'm writing this amidst what can only be described as a symphony of teenage sighs, toddler babble, & the rhythmic click-clack of Espresso’s tiny paws on the hardwood floor (she’s decided that chasing a rogue dust bunny is her current life's mission). Cappuccino, bless her wiser soul, is snoozing peacefully through it all, probably dreaming of quieter times. See, this is a perfect example of the juggle, isn't it? You're trying to focus, be in work mode, & suddenly, puppy-induced mayhem! It's a constant reminder that as entrepreneurs, especially mums, we're masters of context-switching – whether it's between business strategies & potty training or marketing funnels & furry friend wrangling. But what happens when you throw GCSE exam season into the mix? My eldest, a typical Metal Tiger with all that fiery Aries energy, is currently navigating that GCSE rollercoaster. Revision timetables, past papers, the pressure – it's all consuming, right? & you know what? It’s been surprisingly insightful for me, not just as a mum, but as an entrepreneur. Because the parallels between guiding my teenage daughter through this & the challenges we face in building our businesses are striking. This experience is particularly relevant for Foundation Builders, or indeed for any female entrepreneur who feels that pressure to perform, whether they have children or not.

From Exam Stress to Entrepreneurial Pressure: Finding the Parallels

The pressure to perform, the uncertainty of the outcome, the need for intense focus – sound familiar? Whether it’s a looming product launch deadline, the stress of a new client pitch, or just the overwhelm of all.the.things, we all know these feelings. & if you’re a mum, like me, juggling an online business while recovering from my fourth C-section & somehow trying to squeeze in PhD research (because, you know, sleep is for the weak… just kidding!), the chaos can reach epic proportions. I vividly remember trying to finalize a website copy tweak for the Launch Programme, convinced it was the missing piece to attract my ideal client (because sometimes we get so fixated on one tiny thing, don't we?), while my school-aged daughter decided to stage a dramatic re-enactment of a historical battle using all the cushions from the sofa (and, let's be honest, probably a few of my carefully curated throw pillows, too). Cue strategic thinking colliding head-on with six-year-old theatrics! What's a girl to do? Systemise, create boundaries, & leverage AI to work smarter, not harder. My teenage daughter’s GCSE journey has been a mirror to my own entrepreneurial one. The self-doubt creeping in (“What if I fail?”), the procrastination (suddenly organizing her sock drawer becomes priority number one!), the sheer overwhelm – these are all echoes of my challenges in building Femmeprenista. As someone wisely said, "You can't put your brain in rice." It needs the right environment, the right tools, & the right support to truly flourish. Seeing my daughter navigate this has reminded me how crucial resilience, mindset, & smart systems are, even (or especially!) amidst the beautiful chaos.

Resilience: Because the Journey Isn't Linear

Just like the entrepreneurial rollercoaster, GCSEs aren’t linear. There are ups, downs, doubts, and breakthroughs. Resilience isn't just about bouncing back; it's about what you do after you stumble. As a PhD researcher, I can tell you academic journeys, especially alongside mothering four, can feel like an ultra-marathon, not a sprint. My own research into Black female entrepreneurship often highlights this – the path is rarely straightforward. My path is definitely “slower” with four kids and a PhD, but that’s my journey. There have been moments, even knowing all the mindset magic and strategies I teach, where I’ve felt utterly defeated. Like that time a major collaboration I’d been working on for months fell apart at the last minute, due to factors entirely outside my control. I was devastated. I genuinely questioned if I had what it takes to succeed in this crazy world of online business. It felt like all the hard work, the late nights fueled by copious amounts of coffee (and, let’s be real, probably a glass of wine or two!), had been for nothing. But you know what? I didn’t give up. I took a deep breath, reminded myself of all I'd achieved, re-evaluated my strategy, and kept going. That, my friends, is resilience in action. My teenage daughter’s mock exam wobble last week echoed this. It reminded me of that flopped project & how important it is to reframe setbacks as learning opportunities, not failures. As Roxie Nafousi so beautifully puts it, “Every time you overcome a test you make a decision that is in alignment with your future self, and you say no to what isn’t right for you.” This really embodies the Action pillar of our Business Flourish Framework. It's about dusting yourself off and trying again.

Mindset: Your Secret Weapon Against Overwhelm

Mindset is everything. I've seen this time & again in my own journey and in my clients' transformations. When you're facing that mountain of stuff (be it revision notes or launch tasks), a positive, resilient mindset is essential. I’ve been sharing with my daughter simple but effective techniques (visualization, affirmations) that have been game-changers for me and for my Momentum Coaching clients. Visualizing the desired outcome (acing that exam, securing that client) primes your brain for success. Affirmations ("I'm capable," "I'm resourceful") rewire negative self-talk. These techniques, inspired by the work of Jose Silva on mind control for goal achievement, help you consciously create the mental space for success – a vital aspect of the Focus pillar in our Business Flourish Framework. It’s true identity alchemy. In my own chaotic juggle (business, research, four kids!), prioritizing well-being is crucial for maintaining this positive mindset. This means finding time for myself, even if it's just five minutes to meditate or sip a cup of tea in peace (hah! As if that ever happens!), getting enough sleep (a luxury I know many of us mum-entrepreneurs crave!), & setting boundaries. It's not always easy, but preventing burnout is non-negotiable, right? Our Business Flourish Framework can help you with this, blending mindset (Focus), marketing (Flair), systems (Flow), well-being (Fuel), and AI (Fusion) for truly holistic success.

Systems: Your Lifeline in the Chaos

Think of systems as the solid foundation of your business house. They provide stability, especially when everything feels chaotic, just like a well-structured revision timetable helps my daughter stay on track. This is so key for busy mums juggling all the things. I mean, these kids are off from school 12-13 weeks a year! Do we get three months' holiday? Nope! So we need to work smarter. Here are a few quick wins:

• •Juggler's Shortcut: Instead of endless email chains, use a scheduling tool like Calendly to automate appointment booking & free up mental bandwidth. It’s a lifesaver! Think of it as your virtual assistant, handling the back-and-forth so you don't have to.

• •System Savior: Implement a project management system (Trello, Asana) to organize tasks & track progress. It’s like having a personal project manager, keeping everything on track even when your brain feels like scrambled eggs. As you start scaling, these systems become even more essential for streamlining workflows and delegating effectively.

• •Quick Clarity Tip: Batch similar tasks (content creation, client emails). Minimizing context-switching is a game-changer for focus. It’s what Rory Sutherland calls a "psychological moonshot" – a small change with a big impact. And let's be honest, we all crave those "big impacts" without having to reinvent the wheel, right?

My daughter’s revision timetable, broken into manageable chunks with breaks and rewards, mirrors this. When you're drowning in a to-do list, creating these systems is key. And remember, AI is your friend. Use tools like Jasper or ChatGPT to automate content creation, social media posts, even email marketing. Working smarter, not harder, is the name of the game. Don’t be afraid of technology; it can be your most powerful tool. Delegate what you can. Ditch what’s not serving you. Focus on income-generating tasks. It’s about building a business that supports the life you want, not the life you're currently stuck in.

Support: You Don't Have to Do It Alone

This GCSE season has reinforced the value of support. My daughter’s unexpected study buddy? Cappuccino, the calmer of our two Miniature Pinschers. Espresso, bless her hyperactive heart, provides much-needed comic relief, bouncing off the walls and generally reminding us not to take everything so seriously! (I swear, that puppy has more energy than all four kids combined.) Building a business can be lonely. Like trying to assemble flat-pack furniture with no instructions & a toddler "helping" – frustrating, exhausting, & often leading to a few tears (and maybe some choice words you’d rather not admit to!). That’s where community comes in. Connecting with other female entrepreneurs who get it is incredibly empowering. We’ve been there. Join our free Femme:Connect community for support, resources, & that "we're in this together" vibe. We have dedicated threads and masterclasses for everything from navigating the school holidays challenge to leveraging AI in your business.

From Exams to Entrepreneurship: The Power of Focus

Whether it's GCSEs or building your empire, focus is key. Focus on what you can control. Focus on your goals. Focus on one step at a time. Celebrate the small wins. Celebrate the beautiful chaos. Jim Rohn wisely said, "Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want.” So, what’s one small, smart action you can take this week, in your business or with your family? Share below – let's connect!

Ready to launch your business and secure your first clients? The Launch Programme is designed specifically to help you create a strong foundation, build your core systems, and gain momentum.

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!

If you're looking for a supportive community of like-minded female entrepreneurs who get it, why not pop over and say hello?

Join the Femme:Connect Facebook Community

We'd love to welcome you!