Finding Fulfillment: Entrepreneurship for Mums & Beautiful Chaos
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Jan 7
- 6 min read
Finding Fulfillment in the Beautiful Chaos: The Unspoken Joys of Entrepreneurship as a Mum
Hey lovely ladies, especially those of you Scaling Leaders navigating the messy middle of building your business & raising a family,
Ever feel like you're juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle, all while trying to look effortlessly chic? Welcome to the beautiful chaos of being a mum & an entrepreneur! It's a wild ride, & I'm right there with you, navigating the whirlwind with my four little cherubs & two equally energetic miniature pinschers. Just last week, I was trying to finish my PhD chapter, soothe a teething baby, and prep for a Momentum Coaching call, all while Espresso, my hyperactive puppy, decided to redecorate the living room with a roll of toilet paper. It’s a whole circus at my place, let me tell you! It’s those moments when I think, "Okay, deep breaths, how can I systematize this craziness so it doesn’t all fall apart?".
You're probably reading this with one eye on a toddler who's discovered the joys of finger painting on the wall (with yoghurt, naturally) & the other on your inbox that's overflowing faster than my toddler’s bath time bubble explosion. & somewhere in between, you're trying to build a business, a legacy, a future you can be proud of. Seriously, where do we even find the time?! I get it! I’ve been there so, so many times and know exactly what it’s like. One morning I was so behind schedule, desperately trying to get ready for a Momentum Coaching call that absolutely could not be missed and my youngest decided the dog's water bowl was a new indoor paddling pool. Let’s just say I barely made that call, soaking wet hair, one contact lens in, while Espresso "helped" by barking excitedly at every passing car, and Cappuccino, her more sensible mother, simply rolled her eyes. Talk about messy middle! That’s my reality. That's our reality, and that's okay. We're in this together!
We see the perfectly curated Instagram feeds, the "boss babe" hashtags, and the seemingly effortless success stories. But how often do we hear about the real, messy, beautiful truth of entrepreneurship as a mother? The snatched moments of focused work between school runs & bedtime stories, the mental load of a million to-dos, and the profound exhaustion of pouring your heart into both family & business. My PhD research into women's entrepreneurship really underscores how isolating and overwhelming this juggle can be. It’s a theme I’m actively exploring in my doctoral research - the incredible resilience and resourcefulness of women entrepreneurs who not only manage this chaos but also create incredible businesses within it.
It's time we celebrate this beautiful chaos, acknowledge the deep joy & fulfillment of building something truly yours while nurturing the little humans (and furry friends) who depend on you. Because this isn't just about a business; it's about building a life you love.
So, grab your lukewarm cuppa (or that well-deserved glass of wine!), and let's dive into the heart of what makes this journey so uniquely rewarding.
Beyond the Hustle: Finding Your "Why" in the Mess
The pressure to "hustle" is everywhere. But if my journey, juggling four kids, a PhD, and a growing business has taught me anything, it's that sustainable success comes from working smart, not just hard. It's about aligning your actions with your deepest "why." That driving force that keeps you going even when the metaphorical (or literal!) yoghurt hits the wall. I'm a Gemini, so you know I'm always seeking that better way! As Simon Sinek so wisely said, "People don't buy WHAT you do; they buy WHY you do it." This is especially true for us female entrepreneurs. Our "why" is often interwoven with our families, our desire for flexibility & autonomy, our yearning to create something meaningful. Connecting with that core purpose makes the challenges less daunting & the late nights less draining. What’s your "why"? What keeps you going? For me, a huge part of my "why" is about creating a legacy for my kids and showing them what’s possible when you blend passion, hard work & smart systems.
Want some clarity & support on your journey? The Spark program is designed to help you solidify your foundation and gain crystal-clear clarity on your niche and ideal client. Learn more about the Spark program
The Superpower of Mum-Brain: Resilience, Creativity, & Laser Focus
Multitasking might be a myth, but mum-brain? That's a real superpower! We're Olympic-level context-switchers, flipping between business strategy and potty training with practiced ease. This constant juggling hones unique skills. Here’s how mum-brain actually makes us better business owners:
Prioritization Ninja: We learn to laser focus on what truly matters (like that urgent client email) and what can wait (like alphabetizing the spice rack).
Resilience Rockstar: If we can handle a toddler tantrum in aisle 7 of Tesco during a downpour, we can handle anything business throws at us.
Creativity Queen: Limited resources & a "make it work" mentality become a breeding ground for creative solutions (I’ve MacGyvered more toys out of household items than I can count).
Empathy Extraordinaire: Deeply understanding our children's needs translates to intuitive insights into our clients' emotional worlds.
We become masters of prioritization, differentiating between the urgent and the important (like the toddler who’s decided the oven mitts are new chew toys just as the timer for dinner goes off). We develop superhero-level resilience. Trust me, a tricky client email is nothing compared to a toddler meltdown in Tesco! & our creativity? Let's just say we could give MacGyver a run for his money. Ever built a spaceship out of cardboard boxes & duct tape? Yup, that's us.
The Gift of Imperfect Action: Embracing the "Good Enough"
Perfectionism is the enemy of progress, lovely ladies! We simply don't have the bandwidth for perfection in every area. "Good enough" is often a massive win. Remember, progress over perfection! Getting that blog post out, even if it’s not Pulitzer-prize winning, is better than it languishing in drafts forever. Trust me, learning to be okay with "done" is a total game changer. Embracing the messy middle is embracing our authenticity, after all.
Building Your Village: The Power of Community & Support
This entrepreneurial journey can be a lonely one. It’s easy to feel like you’re the only one trying to figure out this crazy balancing act of business & motherhood. Building your support network is essential. Connect with other amazing women who get it. Our Femme:Connect community is a judgment-free zone to share struggles, celebrate wins, and realize you are NOT alone in this chaotic, beautiful adventure. A quick chat with another entrepreneur who’s cleaned yoghurt off the wall (or untangled a toddler from the curtains, or deciphered why the dog is suddenly wearing a tea cosy) can remind you you've got this. Building a support village is a non-negotiable for sustainable success.
Need a dose of support and inspiration right now? Connect with our amazing community at Femme:Connect. We're here for you, every step of the way! Connect with Femme:Connect
Taking Ownership of Your Journey: The Path to Fulfilment
The school holidays are ridiculously long (12–13 weeks, seriously?!), childcare costs a small fortune, and according to a recent study by , 80% of working mothers feel societal pressure to excel in both career & parenting. I know it's not easy. The system often feels rigged against us. But what if the real power lies in deciding how you navigate this reality? Here are three actionable ways to take ownership, even amidst the chaos:
Delegate: What three tasks could you delegate this week—either to a VA, a partner, or even an older child—to free up some mental space & energy?
Automate: Explore one AI tool (like a scheduler or social media management platform) that could streamline your workflow & reclaim precious time.
Prioritize: Identify your top three income-generating activities & schedule dedicated time for them this week. Treat these slots as non-negotiable CEO time.
Building a business around your family is about owning your time, your energy, & your future. Yes, it’s messy and exhausting, but it's also profoundly fulfilling. Taking responsibility for your own progress, even within a system that often feels like it's working against you, is the key to lasting success. You are the captain of your ship, even in choppy waters.
Your Two-Step Action Plan for Today:
Connect: Carve out 15 minutes to engage with the Femme:Connect community. Share a win, ask a question, or simply offer support to another female entrepreneur. Need help navigating the school holiday juggle? Looking for accountability partners or simple tech solutions that don’t require a computer science degree? Femme:Connect is your go-to resource. Connect with Femme:Connect
Focus: Schedule a dedicated 30-minute block for focused work on one important business task. Treat it as a non-negotiable appointment. No kids, no distractions. Even if you don’t achieve everything on your list, you’re moving forward intentionally.
Ready to scale your business & create a life you truly love, without burning out in the process? Join our Momentum Coaching program today. It's designed for female entrepreneurs like you who are ready for sustainable growth & work-life integration. Learn more and apply here
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?
We'd love to welcome you!
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