Mumpreneur Chaos and Systems: Find Your Funny & Thrive

From 'Research Resources' to 'Coffee Resources': The Hilarious Truth of Mumpreneur Life

Right, let's be honest, who hasn't had a moment where autocorrect completely butchers your carefully crafted email, leaving you wondering if you accidentally switched to toddler-speak? I know I have! Just last week, I was deep in PhD mode, trying to book a meeting with my supervisor, when my phone decided 'research resources' was far too mundane. It helpfully suggested 'coffee resources' instead. Now, while a never-ending supply of caffeine would be a dream come true for any mumpreneur (especially one juggling a PhD, four kids, two energetic Miniature Pinschers, and a business), I'm pretty sure my supervisor wasn't expecting a dissertation on the optimal bean-to-water ratio.

See, this is exactly the kind of beautiful chaos we navigate as female entrepreneurs. We're fluent in toddler-speak, dog-bark deciphering, & the art of the perfectly timed Google Meet mute button (you know, for when Espresso decides the vacuum cleaner is her mortal enemy). We’re masters of multitasking, switching from marketing strategies to school pick-ups to PhD research, often within the same hour. And let's not even talk about trying to write a coherent email while simultaneously preventing a small human from using the dog as a climbing frame and mediating a sibling squabble over the last biscuit.

This isn't just about the funny autocorrect fails, though. It’s about the bigger picture, the constant juggle, the never-ending to-do list, & the ever-present question: "How do I do it all?" I mean, honestly, some days, I feel like I'm held together by caffeine & sheer willpower. I'm sure you can relate!

The truth is, we don't "do it all" in the way we’re often told we should. We find ways to work smart, not just hard. We build systems. We prioritize. We learn to laugh at the chaos. We lean on each other. And yes, sometimes, we dream of those mythical "coffee resources" getting us through the day.

Finding the Funny in the Frustration

One thing I’ve learned on this crazy journey (and trust me, my journey, especially with four kids and a PhD, has had its fair share of twists and turns) is that finding the humor in the everyday struggles is absolutely essential. It's the little things, the relatable mishaps, that remind us we're not alone in this beautiful, chaotic dance of female entrepreneur life. Honestly, if you can't laugh, you'll cry!

Like the time my phone decided that "client onboarding" was clearly meant to be "client on-boarding," suggesting I should be teaching my clients how to surf. It's really funny, because you can just picture their faces, wondering if I'd finally lost it and traded my laptop for a surfboard! Or the time I accidentally sent a voice note meant for my partner (complaining about a particularly challenging client, oops!) to the client herself. Talk about a cringe moment! Thank goodness for the 'delete for everyone' feature – though the frantic scramble to retract that message before she saw it was a story in itself. These things happen, right? It's all part of the juggle.

From Chaos to Control: Building Systems That Work (Even When Autocorrect Doesn't)

So how do we move from constantly reacting to the chaos (because, let's be real, constantly reacting leads to burnout faster than you can say 'school holidays') to creating a sense of control & actually making progress on our big goals? Just last week, I spent three hours on a client deliverable that could have taken 30 minutes if I'd systemized my intake - which reminded me how critical these Foundation Builder steps are. Learn from my mistake! For the Foundation Builder, like Sarah who's just setting up her business and trying to figure out how to manage everything from client inquiries to content creation, focusing on solidifying your systems is key. According to our internal research at Femmeprenista, 75% of female entrepreneurs cite overwhelm as a major barrier to growth. So, if you're feeling overwhelmed, trust me, you're not alone. It all comes down to building smart systems & it's about being strategic, streamlining our processes, & yes, leveraging the power of AI (but making sure it doesn't start offering our research supervisors coffee!).

I remember when I first started trying to automate my social media, I was so overwhelmed! My youngest had just decided that sleep was optional, Espresso had chewed through my laptop charger (again!), and I felt like I was drowning in a sea of tech jargon. But then I discovered the power of starting small. I began with just one platform, scheduling one post a week. That tiny win gave me the confidence to keep going, one small step at a time.

This means:

• Automating where we can: Think email sequences, social media scheduling, even setting reminders for those all-important "coffee resources" (I mean, actual coffee). It's about working smarter, not harder, right?

• Prioritizing ruthlessly: We can’t do it all. So what are the 20% of tasks that generate 80% of the results? Focus there. And for everything else? Delegate, ditch, or delay.

• Building a support network: Find your tribe. Connect with other female entrepreneurs who get it. Share your autocorrect fails, your accidental-voice-note-to-the-client stories, your "I just need five minutes of peace" moments. Believe me, it makes a world of difference.

The Importance of Self-Leadership (Even When You Feel Like a Walking, Talking Autocorrect Fail)

A big part of navigating this female entrepreneur life is self-leadership. It’s about owning our choices, our mindset, & our responses to the inevitable curveballs (because, let’s be honest, life with kids, pets, & a business is a constant curveball). It's about recognizing that even when things go sideways (like that time my four-year-old decided to "help" me with my client presentation by drawing all over my slides with permanent marker - talk about a heart-stopping moment!), our response is what matters. We choose whether to spiral into overwhelm or laugh it off and find a solution. This 3-step checklist, inspired by Adrieen Weiner's 'Identity Alchemy,' will get you started on the path to self-leadership:

1. Identify Your Limiting Beliefs: What's the story you're telling yourself that's holding you back? Is it "I'm not expert enough" because you're comparing yourself to someone who's been in business for 20 years, forgetting that you bring your own unique value and fresh perspective? Maybe it's "I don't deserve success" because you're still navigating the mumpreneur juggle and feel guilty about prioritizing your business. Or perhaps it's "I'll burn out if I grow too fast," echoing a fear that’s all too common, especially when you've seen the dark side of hustle culture. Write that limiting belief down. Get really specific. Unpack it. Where did this story come from? Does it even align with your current reality?

2. Challenge the Story: Is this story actually true? What hard evidence do you have to support it? What evidence exists that contradicts this narrative you've been clinging to? Like, that time you successfully landed a client even though you were convinced you'd mess up the sales call, or that week you managed to balance client work with family commitments without completely losing your mind – because you were strategic, you built systems, you prioritized, and you asked for help when needed! Our limiting beliefs are often just that – old, outdated stories that are actively preventing us from becoming the woman we know we're meant to be.

3. Choose a New Story: Rewrite the limiting narrative. What empowering belief would serve you better? Instead of "I'm not expert enough," perhaps your new story is, "My experience is valuable, and I'm always learning and growing." Instead of "I don't deserve success," maybe it's, "I'm a capable mumpreneur who is building a business that supports my family and my dreams." And instead of "I'll burn out if I grow too fast," how about, "I'm building a sustainable business that aligns with my values, my energy levels, and my desire for a rich, fulfilling life"? Write this new story down and internalize it. When the old fears start to creep back, remind yourself of the new, empowering truth you're choosing to create.

Embracing the Beautiful Chaos (and the Coffee)

So, to all my fellow female entrepreneurs out there navigating the beautiful chaos, remember this: You're not alone. You're amazing. You're resourceful. You're capable of incredible things. And yes, sometimes, you’re going to feel like a walking, talking autocorrect fail. Laugh at the chaos, learn from the mistakes, & keep moving forward. Ready to ditch the overwhelm & build a business that truly flourishes? Join us in the Launch Programme, where we help you build a solid foundation, create systems that actually work for your life, & launch confidently.

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!