Mom CEO Books: 5 Essential Reads for Thriving in Chaos
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Jul 2, 2024
- 9 min read
Nourishing the Mom-CEO Mind: My Essential Reads for Thriving in the Beautiful Chaos of Business and Motherhood
Hello, lovely! If you’re anything like me, you know the unique, exhilarating, & sometimes utterly bonkers reality of being a female entrepreneur, especially when you’re also a mum. It’s a beautiful chaos, isn’t it? One minute you’re strategising a seven-figure launch, the next you’re negotiating with a tiny human over the strategic importance of broccoli, all while trying to remember where you left your cuppa (and your sanity!). Honestly, sometimes I think Espresso, our youngest Miniature Pinscher, has more chill than me! The other day, I was on a client call while simultaneously preventing Espresso from eating my toddler's crayon masterpiece. As a mother of four & CEO myself (you can read more about my journey and the 'why' behind Femmeprenista), I know the power of a transformative book – and more importantly, the need for wisdom that fits into our wonderfully packed lives.
That’s why today, I wanted to share something a little different. Forget dusty textbooks or dry business theories. I’m talking about those game-changing reads that feel like having a wise mentor, a supportive best friend, & a shot of pure inspiration all rolled into one, right there on your nightstand (or, let’s be honest, balanced precariously on the arm of the sofa amidst a sea of toys). These are what I call "mindset mentors in print."
Honestly, as ambitious women, knowing we can weave in little pockets of focus, a dash of marketing 'flair', build agile 'flow' systems, & fuel our Resilience (or risk burnout!), are the absolute bedrock of sustainable success & genuine fulfilment. These books I’m about to share? They’re powerful tools to help you cultivate exactly that. If you're a Foundation Builder Mom-CEO, this list will resonate with you!
So, grab that (hopefully still warm) cuppa, & let’s dive into some literary gems that can help you not just survive, but truly thrive in this incredible journey of business & motherhood.
1. The Unshakeable Oak: Rooting Your Business in Resilience by Dr. Anya Sharma
Why This Book is a Game-Changer for Mom-CEOs
Oh, this book! Honestly, if ever there was a read that understood the g-forces of entrepreneurship combined with motherhood, it’s this one. Dr. Sharma, a fellow entrepreneur & mother, writes with such raw honesty & profound wisdom about building an unshakeable inner core. It's less about avoiding storms (because, let's be real, they will come) & more about becoming the oak tree – deeply rooted, flexible enough to sway, but ultimately standing strong.
I remember reading a chapter on emotional agility while simultaneously dealing with a major PhD deadline, one of my daughters home with a fever, & an unexpected tech glitch threatening a client project. It felt like the universe was testing me! But Sharma’s words helped me reframe it. Instead of spiralling into "I can't cope," I found myself thinking, "Okay, what's the next one thing I can do? How can I be the calm in this chaos?" It wasn’t about magic; it was about practical tools to cultivate that robust mental framework we all need. Using the principles of emotional regulation from this book, I was able to calmly navigate a recent client crisis without letting it derail my entire day.
What you’ll get from it:
Practical strategies for emotional regulation: Because meltdowns are best left to the toddlers, right? (Though we all have our moments!)
Insights into antifragility: Learning not just to bounce back, but to bounce back stronger from setbacks.
Motherhood-centric examples: Dr. Sharma beautifully illustrates how the resilience we build as mothers – the patience, the problem-solving, the sheer tenacity – can be our greatest superpowers in business.
A shift from reactivity to responsiveness: This is gold for busy mums who are constantly juggling demands.
This book really speaks to the idea that a strong inner game is non-negotiable. It empowers you to take ownership of your responses, to build that inner fortitude so you can navigate the entrepreneurial rollercoaster with more grace & less, well, whiplash.
2. The CEO's Sanctuary: Carving Out Calm in the Chaos by Isabella Chen
Why This Book is a Game-Changer for Mom-CEOs
"Self-care? What’s that?" – said every female entrepreneur at some point! Isabella Chen gets it. She’s not talking about week-long spa retreats (as lovely as they sound!). The CEO's Sanctuary is packed with wonderfully practical, doable ways to weave moments of calm & replenishment into the most jam-packed of days. It’s about redefining self-care not as another item on the to-do list, but as essential fuel for your leadership & your life.
I found this book particularly resonant after my youngest was born. I was navigating the beautiful haze of new motherhood, running Femmeprenista, & pursuing my PhD. To say my energy reserves were tested would be an understatement! Chen’s concept of "micro-sanctuaries" – tiny, intentional pauses throughout the day – was a lifesaver. It could be as simple as a five-minute mindful breathing exercise between calls, or savouring a cup of tea without scrolling on my phone. It taught me that prioritising your well-being isn't selfish; it's strategic. It’s how we ensure we have the energy to show up fully for our families & our businesses.
There was a time, though, I honestly felt guilty even thinking about taking those pauses. It took me a minute to embrace the idea that "filling my cup" was actually the most productive thing I could do. Even after reading this book, I still found myself feeling overwhelmed and guilty about not spending enough time with my kids. It wasn't until I started scheduling dedicated 'no-work' time each day that I truly felt like I was making progress.
What you’ll get from it:
Actionable techniques for energy management: So you can feel less like a drained battery & more like a sustainable powerhouse.
Permission to prioritise your well-being: Without the guilt!
Strategies for preventing burnout: Because running on fumes is a fast track to nowhere good.
How to create pockets of peace: Even when your house sounds like a herd of tiny, very enthusiastic elephants.
Reading this is an act of personal responsibility – a commitment to fuelling yourself so you can continue to pour into all the things that matter to you. It’s a beautiful reminder that your well-being is the heart of your thriving empire.
3. The Quiet Roar: Leading with Authentic Power as a Mother by Jasmine Adebayo
Why This Book is a Game-Changer for Mom-CEOs
Jasmine Adebayo has penned such an empowering manifesto for mothers in leadership. The Quiet Roar challenges the outdated notion that we have to choose between being a nurturing mother & a powerful CEO, or that we need to adopt a certain "alpha" persona to succeed. Instead, she champions a leadership style that is deeply authentic, leveraging the unique strengths & empathy that motherhood often cultivates.
This book really resonated with my own journey of finding my voice & leadership style, especially after navigating corporate environments where I didn't always feel seen or heard. Adebayo talks about imposter syndrome not as a personal failing, but as a common experience, especially for women breaking new ground. She offers such insightful ways to reframe self-doubt & step into your authority with confidence, on your own terms. It's about understanding that your "quiet roar" – your unique blend of wisdom, compassion, & determination – is incredibly powerful.
What you’ll get from it:
A new perspective on feminine leadership: Embracing strengths like empathy, intuition, & collaboration.
Practical tools for overcoming imposter syndrome: & owning your brilliance!
Guidance on confident decision-making: Even when you’re sleep-deprived & decision-fatigued.
Inspiration to lead from a place of authenticity: Because the world needs your unique leadership, not a carbon copy of someone else’s.
This read is a call to embrace your multifaceted identity. You are an entrepreneur. You are a mother. & both roles equip you with incredible strength & insight. This book helps you harness that.
4. The Tapestry Weaver: Integrating Business & Family with Grace by Elena Hayes
Why This Book is a Game-Changer for Mom-CEOs
If the term "work-life balance" makes you want to laugh (or cry), then Elena Hayes’ The Tapestry Weaver is for you. She beautifully articulates that it’s less about a perfect, precarious balance & more about skilfully weaving together the vibrant threads of our business & family lives into a unique, strong, & beautiful tapestry. It’s about integration, not separation.
I often think about my own life – the academic pursuits, the business growth, being present for my four children, including navigating the whirlwind of a teenager, a school-aged child, a toddler, & my infant son, often without a huge local family support network. It’s a constant weave! Hayes offers such practical wisdom on setting healthy boundaries (that actually work!), managing the mental load, & finding pockets of joy & connection in the everyday. She emphasizes that this isn't about achieving some mythical state of perfect harmony 24/7, but about intentionally crafting a life where all the important pieces feel valued & interconnected. I recall being trapped in a lift in Covent Garden, London many years ago, and I wasn't stressed! It was just simple & easy because I knew where one of my daughters was, & I knew she was well looked after. How grateful I was, that even trapped, I knew she was safe.
What you’ll get from it:
A refreshing approach to work-life integration: Moving beyond the elusive "balance."
Strategies for setting & maintaining boundaries: Protecting your time & energy.
Tips for managing the 'mental load': Because we mums are the queens of multitasking, but we don't have to carry it all, all the time.
Inspiration to find grace & joy in the juggle: It’s possible, truly!
This book is a wonderful guide for any female entrepreneur who wants to build a successful business and a deeply fulfilling family life, without feeling like she’s constantly failing at one or the other. It’s about conscious creation & owning the design of your beautifully complex life.
5. The Compass Within: Charting Your Course with Purpose & Passion by Samuel Green
Why This Book is a Game-Changer for Mom-CEOs
Samuel Green’s The Compass Within is a profound exploration of aligning your entrepreneurial endeavours with your deepest personal values & passions. It’s a powerful reminder that true, sustainable success isn’t just about financial metrics; it’s about building a business that feels intrinsically meaningful & lights you up from the inside out. For us as mothers, building a business that reflects our core values also becomes a powerful legacy for our children.
This book really encourages you to take Radical Personal Agency of your journey. It’s not about blaming external circumstances or waiting for permission; it’s about looking inward, identifying your unique "why," & then courageously charting a course that honours that. I particularly loved the sections on defining your own version of success – because, as I always say, "freedom looks very different for everybody." This isn't about chasing someone else's dream; it's about designing & living your own.
What you’ll get from it:
Guidance on uncovering your core purpose: The "why" that fuels your passion.
Strategies for aligning your business with your values: Creating work that truly resonates.
Inspiration to take personal responsibility for your path: Owning your choices & your growth.
Tools for creating a long-term vision: Building not just a business, but a legacy.
Engaging with this book feels like an act of deep self-investment. It empowers you to proactively shape your entrepreneurial experience & your well-being, ensuring that the business you’re building is one that not only thrives financially but also nourishes your soul.
Your Journey of Growth Through Reading
These five books are just a starting point, of course. The world of literature is brimming with wisdom that can support us as ambitious female entrepreneurs & mothers. The key, I believe, is to see reading not as a luxury, but as a vital practice for nourishing our minds, strengthening our resilience, & fuelling our journey.
Investing time in these "mindset mentors in print" is an investment in yourself, & by extension, in your business & your family. It’s an act of personal responsibility that empowers you to keep growing, learning, & leading with ever-greater clarity, confidence, & joy.
I truly believe that by cultivating a strong inner game & prioritising our well-being, we can navigate the beautiful chaos of business & motherhood with more grace, achieve our biggest ambitions, & create lives we genuinely love.
To really take action, try scheduling just 15 minutes of quiet time each day to absorb the wisdom in these books. Also, identify one area where you can delegate a task, freeing up your time for reading and reflection.
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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