Mumpreneur Business: Embracing Beautiful Chaos & Finding Flow

From Miniature Pinscher Alerts to Market Disruptions: Embracing the Beautiful Chaos of Mumpreneurship

Right, let's be honest, the life of a female entrepreneur who also happens to be a mum isn't exactly a serene yoga retreat. It's more like a high-energy Zumba class with one of my daughters clinging to your leg & a Miniature Pinscher – in my case, the aptly named Espresso – using your ankles as a slalom course. (Cappuccino, the older, wiser mum-dog, just watches with a knowing sigh. She's been there.) Honestly, sometimes I feel like I'm constantly context-switching between high-level strategy & refereeing puppy playtime!

If you've ever tried to craft a killer sales pitch while simultaneously negotiating a hostage situation over a rogue crayon, or delivered a webinar with the dulcet tones of "Baby Shark" echoing in the background, then you know. You get it. This is our reality. This is the beautiful chaos we wouldn't trade for the world, even when it feels like we're running a business from inside a giant inflatable bouncy house filled with rogue glitter cannons. I swear, some days I'm convinced my entrepreneurial superpowers are fuelled by caffeine & sheer willpower!

But here's the thing: this whirlwind of mum life actually equips us with some seriously valuable entrepreneurial superpowers. I'm talking resilience, adaptability, & the ability to pivot faster than a toddler changing their mind about what they want for lunch (which, let's be honest, is a lot). It's like we're constantly training for an entrepreneurial triathlon!

The Unexpected: Your Secret Weapon

Think about it. What's more unpredictable: a quarterly market report or a toddler deciding to redecorate the living room with your best lipstick five minutes before your Zoom meeting? Exactly. We, my friend, are masters of the unexpected. We thrive in it. We anticipate it. We even find the funny side (eventually, usually after a large glass of wine). One time, I was about to start a live training in my Facebook group, all set up with my slides & everything, when my infant son decided to stage a full-blown nappy explosion. Talk about a live demonstration of "embracing the unexpected"! Let's just say, it wasn't exactly in the lesson plan, but it certainly broke the ice. It’s a moment my community still laughs about.

This ability to embrace the unexpected, to roll with the punches (sometimes literally, if my youngest daughter is having a particularly energetic day), is pure gold in the entrepreneurial world. Because let’s face it, business is rarely a smooth, predictable path. There will be curveballs. There will be tech meltdowns. There will be clients who ghost you faster than my teenage daughter disappears into her bedroom on a Saturday morning. Honestly, it’s the business equivalent of trying to fold a fitted sheet while simultaneously untangling 20ft of Christmas lights & mediating a dispute over which Paw Patrol episode to watch.

But we’re ready. We've been trained by tiny humans & hyperactive canines. We know how to adapt. We know how to improvise. We know how to breathe deeply & reach for the chocolate (or the wine. Or both). It’s okay to not be okay. And it’s also okay to need a little something to help you get through the day! 😉

From Tantrums to Triumphs: Finding the Flow

If you're a Foundation Builder, setting up the core systems for your business can feel overwhelming at times. One of the biggest lessons motherhood has taught me is the importance of finding the flow. Now, I'm not talking about the blissful, uninterrupted kind of flow you might experience during a spa day (remember those?). I'm talking about the "go with the flow" kind of flow – the one where you learn to navigate the constant interruptions, the ever-changing demands, & the general mayhem with a sense of humour & a deep breath. It’s like learning to surf – you can’t control the waves, but you can learn to ride them! There was a time I nearly burned out completely because I wasn’t setting clear boundaries & felt guilty every time I said no. I was trying to be a superwoman for everyone. It was a tough lesson, but it's what made me realize how essential boundaries are.

This is where those smart systems come in. Having a clear structure for your day, week, & business is essential. It's the life raft in the choppy waters of running a business as a mum. Think of it as your entrepreneurial life jacket!

• Create routines: Even small, consistent routines (like a dedicated morning work block or a specific time for checking emails) can make a huge difference.

• Set boundaries: Just like we teach our kids about boundaries, we need to set them for ourselves, too. This might mean having a dedicated workspace (even if it’s just a corner of the kitchen table) or turning off notifications during family time. I remember one time I missed my daughter's school play because I was so deep in a sales campaign. Honestly, it was heartbreaking. It made me reassess how I was approaching my business. That experience, while painful, was a real turning point. It taught me the importance of planning ruthlessly so I could prioritize the things that really matter.

• Leverage tech: Embrace the power of automation! Tools like scheduling apps, email marketing platforms, & even AI assistants can free up precious time & mental energy.

Think about creating routines, setting boundaries (even if they sometimes feel more like guidelines), & leveraging technology to automate as much as you can (because who has time to manually invoice 50 clients when you’re also trying to prevent a small human from turning the kitchen into a science lab?). Honestly, automating those invoices is the equivalent of finding an extra hour in the day! Speaking of systems, our Launch Programme is designed to help you set up those essential systems to scale. Find out how here. Launch Programme

From Mum Guilt to Mindset Mastery

Let’s talk about the "M" word – Mum Guilt. That little voice that whispers, "You should be spending more time with your kids," even when you're working your tail off to build a better future for them. It's real. It's pervasive. & It's something many of us struggle with. I know I do! One simple but powerful technique I use to combat this is visualisation. I close my eyes for just five minutes & vividly imagine the future I'm creating for my kids - the opportunities my business will provide, the experiences we'll share, the legacy I'm building. This reconnects me to my “why” & transforms the guilt into empowered action.

But what if we reframe that guilt? What if we see our businesses not as taking away from our children, but as adding to them? We’re not just building businesses; we're building legacies. We're showing our children what's possible. We're teaching them resilience, resourcefulness, & the importance of pursuing their passions. We’re teaching them that they can design a life they genuinely love. That sounds like a legacy worth building, right?

This isn't about neglecting our kids; it's about building a life that integrates both our passions & our roles as mothers. It’s about finding that delicate, ever-shifting balance. It's about knowing that it's okay to ask for help, to set boundaries, & to prioritize our own well-being. Because a happy, fulfilled mum is a better mum (& a better entrepreneur, too). As Lisa Nichols says, "Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows. Then you can serve others, joyfully, from your saucer."

Finding Your Tribe: The Power of Connection

It's easy to feel isolated as a female entrepreneur, especially when you're also juggling the demands of motherhood. Juggling multiple roles, navigating the "beautiful chaos," & often working from home can sometimes feel like we’re on a solo mission to Mars. I am grateful for the friends & the family that I have, but what is truly amazing is to actually find people that get you & understand you. For many of us, local family support isn’t an option – just ask Espresso & Cappuccino if you don’t believe me! And those 12–13 weeks of school holidays can feel like an entrepreneurial marathon! Members of our Femme:Connect community have shared how invaluable it is to connect with others who understand these unique challenges. They’ve reported finding solutions to everything from managing childcare during school breaks to streamlining their marketing efforts, all within a supportive & non-judgemental environment. It's like having a global network of business besties who also happen to be fellow mums!

That's why community is so essential. Connecting with other women who get it, who understand the juggle, the mum guilt, & the joys of building a business while dodging rogue Play-Doh, can be life-changing. It's about sharing tips, offering support, & reminding each other that we're capable, resilient, & absolutely not crazy (even if our lives sometimes feel that way). That’s why I created Femme:Connect – I wanted to create that safe space for you! Femme:Connect Community Page

So, my fellow female entrepreneurs, embrace the chaos. Find the humour. Build those systems. Connect with your tribe. & Remember, you've got this. Because juggling miniature pinscher alerts & market disruptions is just another Tuesday for us, and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

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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