Mum Entrepreneur Self-Employment Guide: Thrive as a CEO Mum
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Dec 24, 2024
- 8 min read
From Corporate Cog to CEO of Your Life: A Mum’s Guide to Making the Leap to Self-Employment
Are you staring out of your office window, or perhaps over a mountain of laundry, dreaming of a life where you call the shots? Where your work genuinely excites you & crucially, fits around your beautiful, chaotic family life, not the other way around? If the thought of swapping your commute for creative control, your rigid schedule for genuine flexibility, & someone else's targets for your own purposeful mission makes your heart beat a little faster, then darling, you're in the right place.
Honestly, I’ve been there. I remember that feeling of being a cog, albeit a hardworking one, in someone else’s machine. Even with an MBA from Cranfield under my belt, which I’d initially pursued thinking it would land me a ‘better’ corporate role after my second daughter was born, I realised something profound. The shiny corporate ladder, even with a higher salary, wasn't going to give me the quality of life, the autonomy, or the direct impact I craved. It wouldn’t give me the space to be truly present for my children in the way I yearned to be. That’s a big part of my ‘why’ for founding Femmeprenista – to build something meaningful that aligns with my whole life, not just my professional ambition. See, even selling sweets in the playground as a kid gave me more of that feeling. Like even as a kid, I just wanted to make people happy. For more on my journey, you can always pop over to my About Femmeprenista / Carlene Nisbett page.
Making the transition from employee to entrepreneur isn’t just a career change; it's a fundamental shift in how you see yourself & your potential. It's an opportunity to strategically engineer a professional life rooted in your own values, designed for fulfillment & yes, for managing the wonderful juggle of motherhood. So, let’s talk about how to make that leap successfully.
The Mindset Makeover: Trading Your Employee Hat for a CEO Crown (From Day One!)
This is, without a doubt, the most critical recalibration you’ll undertake. When you’re employed, there’s a certain rhythm, isn’t there? Tasks are often assigned, direction comes from above, & your responsibilities, while significant, are usually within a defined framework.
Becoming your own boss, especially if you’re a solopreneur to start with, flips that script entirely. Suddenly, you are the visionary, the strategist, the marketer, the finance department, & the chief coffee maker, all rolled into one. This requires a monumental shift towards radical personal responsibility.
I learnt this the hard way, even within corporate structures like Apple. If a mistake happened on my watch, I owned it, learned from it, & immediately focused on rectifying it & ensuring it didn't happen again. That ownership mindset is amplified tenfold in entrepreneurship. There’s no one to blame if a launch doesn’t go to plan, or if a client isn’t happy. It’s on you to analyse, adapt, & improve. But here’s the empowering part: the successes are all yours too!
This isn't about waiting until your business is "big enough" to feel like a CEO. You are the CEO from the moment you decide to pursue this path. This means:
Proactive Problem-Solving: Instead of waiting for instructions, you’re constantly asking, "What needs to be done? How can I make this better?"
Decisive Action: You’ll need to get comfortable making decisions, often with imperfect information.
Unwavering Self-Belief: There will be days filled with doubt. Cultivating a resilient, focused mindset, knowing your ‘why’, is what will carry you through.
It’s about moving from "What am I supposed to do?" to "What will I create today?"
Don't Just Leap, Plan Your Landing: The Non-Negotiables Before You Resign
I know, I know. When the entrepreneurial bug bites hard & you’re desperate to escape a soul-crushing job, the temptation is to just hand in your notice & figure it out as you go. & while I’m all for bold action, I’m also a huge advocate for smart, strategic action. A dream without a plan can quickly turn into a nightmare.
So, before you make that exhilarating leap, let’s talk foundations:
1. Financial Honesty & Preparedness
This is the grown-up chat, but it’s essential.
Know Your Numbers: What are your non-negotiable monthly living expenses? How much runway do you realistically need to get your business generating consistent income?
Build a Buffer: If possible, save up a financial cushion. This isn't about a lack of faith in your business; it's about giving yourself the breathing room to build sustainably without desperation clouding your judgment.
Explore Funding (Wisely): If you need start-up capital, research your options thoroughly. Don’t rush into debt without a clear plan for repayment.
Being financially prepared reduces stress exponentially & allows you to make decisions from a place of empowerment, not panic.
2. Idea Validation: Is Your Brilliant Idea Actually Viable?
You might have the most amazing business idea in the world (& I truly hope you do!), but passion alone doesn’t pay the bills. Before you invest significant time & money, you must validate your idea.
Who is it for? Get crystal clear on your ideal client.
What problem does it solve? How does your offer make their life better?
Will people pay for it? This is the million-dollar (or pound!) question. Conduct market research, talk to potential customers, & perhaps even pre-sell your offer to gauge genuine interest.
This early-stage clarity work – defining your niche, understanding your ideal client, & crafting a foundational action plan – is absolutely critical. It’s the bedrock of a sustainable business, & it’s precisely what we focus on in our Spark Program Page , helping ambitious women like you build that strong groundwork before taking the big plunge.
Navigating the Beautiful Chaos: Entrepreneurship for Mums
Alright, let’s talk about the elephant in the room, or perhaps the toddler drawing on the wall while you’re trying to write a business plan! Being an entrepreneur is demanding. Being a mum is demanding. Doing both? Well, that’s a special kind of beautiful chaos, isn't it? I’m living it every day – juggling four amazing children (from a teenager down to an infant!), a PhD, & building Femmeprenista. There are days when I’m trying to have a serious business conversation with my partner, & the background noise is a delightful mix of a Disney soundtrack & a six-year-old demanding to know why the sky is blue right now.
The dream of self-employment for many mothers isn’t just about escaping the 9-to-5; it’s about designing a work life that genuinely integrates with family life. It's about being there for the school plays, the poorly days, & those precious, fleeting moments, without sacrificing your professional ambitions. Here are a few things I’ve learned about making it work:
Design for Integration, Not Just Balance: "Work-life balance" can feel like an impossible tightrope. I prefer to think about "work-life integration." How can your business flow with your family rhythms, not against them? This might mean unconventional working hours, batching tasks during school time or after bedtime, & being fiercely protective of family time. What that looks like is blocking out specific times to work and be with the family. That way, the times don’t overlap.
Prioritise Your Well-being (This is Non-Negotiable!): It’s so easy to put yourself last when you’re spinning all the plates. But, darling, you cannot pour from an empty cup. If you burn out, your business & your family suffer. This means scheduling in rest, movement, things that bring you joy, & ensuring your business energises rather than drains you. Instead, schedule yourself for things like Yoga, meditation, or even a day where you just put your feet up.
Embrace Imperfection & Ask for Help: Some days will be messy. You might go out with one eyeliner on because you were too busy cleaning a mysterious sticky substance off the carpet (yes, that has happened!). It’s okay. Lower your expectations of perfection & don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s from your partner, family, friends, or investing in support for your business. One of the hardest lessons I learned was during my MBA, juggling a baby & intense coursework. I was so determined to 'do it all' that I nearly broke. Finally admitting I needed help, specifically with childcare, was a game-changer. I wish I’d asked sooner! Some tips include, trading childcare with another entrepreneur friend, or using some of the money from the business to hire a babysitter for a few hours.
Set Boundaries: Just because you work from home doesn’t mean you’re available 24/7. Communicate your working hours clearly with your family (as much as toddlers understand that!) & your clients. A top tip is having a separate space, dedicated as an office. That way when you’re there, you work, but when you’re not, you are not to be disturbed.
This isn’t about finding a magical solution to eliminate the juggle; it's about finding smarter, more compassionate ways to manage it, so you build a business that truly serves your whole life.
One thing I really struggled with back then, & still do sometimes, if I’m honest, is making time for myself. There were times I felt guilty even taking 15 minutes for a bath! What changed things was realising it wasn’t selfish, it was essential – for me, & for them.
Action Stations: Leverage Your Strengths & Embrace the Adventure!
Making this transition is a bold move, & it’s an adventure. Here’s how to step into it with power:
Leverage Your Existing Superpowers: You are not starting from scratch. Think about all the skills, experience, & wisdom you’ve accumulated in your previous roles & in life. These are invaluable assets. That project management prowess? Gold. Your ability to mediate playground disputes? Surprisingly useful in client negotiations!
Embrace the Learning Curve: There will be things you don’t know. That’s okay! Entrepreneurship is a constant learning process. Be curious, be open to new skills (hello, AI tools that can truly streamline your processes!), & don’t be afraid to invest in learning.
Build Something Meaningful: This isn’t just about escaping a job you dislike; it's about creating something that aligns with your purpose, something that lights you up. When your work is meaningful, the challenges feel more manageable.
Find Your Tribe: Connect with other female entrepreneurs who understand the journey. Share your wins, your wobbles, & your wisdom. Community makes the path less lonely & a lot more fun.
This journey from employee to CEO of your own life & business is one of the most challenging & rewarding you’ll ever undertake. It requires courage, resilience, strategic thinking, & a whole lot of heart. But the freedom, fulfillment, & ability to make a direct impact on your own terms? Utterly priceless.
One mistake I made early on was thinking I had to do everything myself. Fresh out of Apple, I was determined to prove I could build a business from scratch, solo. I resisted delegating even simple tasks, convinced it would save money. I remember spending hours wrestling with website design, something I was definitely not an expert in. The result? A mediocre website that didn’t attract clients & a whole lot of wasted time & energy. It was a "cringe, but true" moment, & a potent reminder that sometimes, the smartest investment you can make is in getting expert help.
Are you ready to stop dreaming & start designing?
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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