Mumpreneur Chaos: Business Brilliance in the Beautiful Mess
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Apr 1, 2024
- 6 min read
Finding the Funny in the Flourish: How Mumpreneur Chaos Fuels Business Brilliance
Right, let's be honest, who hasn't had one of those mornings? You know, the kind where you're trying to finish a proposal, my toddler daughter's discovered the joys of smearing banana on the wall (apparently, it's an excellent medium for abstract art), my teenage daughter's having an existential crisis over her GCSE options, and Espresso, our miniature pinscher puppy, is using my research notes as a chew toy. Oh, and did I mention I’m trying to finish my PhD while recovering from my fourth C-section? It's a scene straight out of a sitcom, but with significantly less canned laughter and definitely more caffeine involved. This beautiful chaos, if you're just starting out – what we at Femmeprenista call a Foundation BuilderFoundation Builder – can feel especially overwhelming. But what if I told you this very chaos could be your secret weapon? The everyday juggle of motherhood & entrepreneurship is a surprising source of brilliant business insights if we just shift our perspective.
From Miniature Pinschers to PhDs: Finding the Unexpected Parallels
For instance, take my dogs. Cappuccino, the older one, is pretty chilled. Espresso, however, is a tiny ball of perpetual motion, bouncing off walls (literally) and generally embodying the spirit of untamed energy. Dealing with their contrasting personalities is a masterclass in adaptability – and let me tell you, as a Gemini, adaptability is kind of my superpower!. Sound familiar? It’s exactly the same skill you need when navigating the ever-shifting landscape of online business. One minute you're riding high on a successful launch, the next you're tweaking your marketing strategy because Instagram decided to change the algorithm again. Adaptability isn't just a nice-to-have; it's your entrepreneurial survival kit.
Then there's the PhD. Juggling research with running a business & raising a family is... well, let's just say it’s taught me the profound importance of prioritizing & building robust systems. Just like I have dedicated writing slots carved into my week (guarded fiercely against toddler invasions & puppy-related paper shredding incidents), I also have streamlined processes for client onboarding, content creation, & pretty much everything else. Because, honestly, when you're juggling multiple roles, working smarter, not harder, is non-negotiable.
Working Smarter, Not Harder: Integrating AI
This is where strategically integrating AI comes in. Think of AI as your super-efficient virtual assistant, powered by what we call FusionFusion at Femmeprenista – it's all about using AI to enhance every aspect of your business, from automating those repetitive tasks, like scheduling social media posts or answering basic client inquiries, to gaining powerful insights about your ideal client. FusionFusion frees up your time for the strategic stuff – or, you know, just having five minutes to actually drink your coffee while it’s still hot! Integrating AI is about working smarter, not harder, maximizing your efficiency so you can be more present for both your business & your family. It’s the modern mum's secret weapon.
Embracing the Curveballs: It’s All About Mindset
The biggest lesson, though, the one that underpins everything, is the power of mindset. Just like I can choose to see my chaotic mornings as a source of humour rather than a descent into madness (most days!), I can also choose to view business challenges as opportunities for growth, not reasons to throw in the towel. It’s about cultivating radical personal responsibility.
Cocoista's Comeback: A Mindset Story
This reminds me of a time when I was launching Cocoista, my afro hair & beauty business. I’d poured my heart & soul into creating what I thought was an amazing product line, but the initial launch was a total flop. I felt like a failure, ready to give up. But then, I remembered my dad's words echoing in my ear, "You might twist your ankle, but the difference is, you get back up again." So, I dusted myself off, took a deep breath, & started analyzing why it hadn't worked. Turns out, my marketing message was all about the amazing features of the products (organic ingredients, ethically sourced, etc.) instead of focusing on the benefits for my target customer (reducing frizz, promoting healthy hair growth, saving time in their already busy routines). My messaging wasn't connecting to their desires. I completely reworked my website copy & social media posts to speak directly to the challenges my ideal client was facing, highlighting the transformations my products could offer. I also started creating video content demonstrating real-life application, focusing on how the products could simplify their hair care routine. It was a painful but valuable lesson, & it led me to completely revamp my approach, which ultimately contributed to its later success.
Mindset & Action: The Dynamic Duo
This story shows just how important Mindset truly is. As Lisa Nichols says, "Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows. Then you can serve others, joyfully, from your saucer." This reflects the growth mindset that’s essential for navigating the ups & downs of entrepreneurship. It’s not enough to just know this; we need consistent action.
From Reaction to Strategic Action: Streamlining Your Systems
I remember a time when I was so overwhelmed, I felt like I was constantly putting out fires, just like those chaotic mornings when the kids are running wild & the dogs are... well, being dogs. It was exhausting. That's when I realised something had to change. I needed to move from reacting to strategically planning. This isn’t just about time management; it’s a complete shift in perspective, a moment of taking radical personal responsibility that completely transformed how I approached my business. For example, instead of frantically posting on social media whenever I had a spare moment, I started using a scheduling tool & batch-creating my content. I also implemented a simple project management system (Trello is my go-to!) to keep track of all my tasks & deadlines. This one small change freed up so much mental space & allowed me to be more strategic with my marketing. Even now, with four kids, a PhD, & running multiple businesses, I'm still learning, tweaking my systems, & finding new ways to integrate AI to create more space & focus. Trust me, it's a journey, not a destination!
You're Not Alone: Finding Your Tribe in the Chaos
I know it can feel lonely out there, especially when you’re juggling the demands of motherhood, family, business, & maybe even a PhD or two. Trust me, I get it! It's easy to get caught in the comparison trap, to feel like you're the only one navigating this particular brand of beautiful chaos. But you're not. There's a whole tribe of us out here, figuring it out together, one strategically placed dog puddle at a time.
So, what’s one tiny thing you can do today to shift your perspective, to find the funny in your own flourish, to take ownership of your unique entrepreneurial journey? Here are a few ideas:
Brain Dump & Prioritize (The Juggler's Secret Weapon): Grab a notebook (or even the back of an envelope – we’re all about practical here!) & write down absolutely everything swirling in your head – business tasks, school deadlines, grocery lists, the works. Then, circle just one thing – your Most Important Task (MIT) – to focus on today. Everything else can wait.
Schedule One "Me" Moment (Your Non-Negotiable): Block out just 15 minutes in your calendar for something that refuels you – a walk, a cup of tea in silence, a quick guided meditation on the Insight Timer app. Guard this time fiercely against client calls, kiddie chaos, & puppy pandemonium. Remember, as Lisa Nichols says, "fill your own cup" first.
Embrace Imperfect Action (The Done-is-Better-Than-Perfect Mantra): Send that email, publish that blog post, schedule that call – even if it's not "perfect," it's progress. Think of it like this: every small step forward moves you closer to your goals.
Share your one thing or any other wins below! I'd love to hear from you. What would make you a 1% better version of yourself?
Ready to ditch the overwhelm & build a flourishing online business that works with your life, not against it? Our Momentum 1:1 Coaching programme is designed for Scaling Leaders like you, integrating mindset, marketing, & AI-powered systems for sustainable success. Learn more & book a free consultation here: Momentum Coaching Programme.
Come join us over at Femme Connect, our free Facebook community for ambitious women just like you. We share tips, celebrate wins, & offer support on everything from managing school holidays (because seriously, 12–13 weeks is NO JOKE!) to streamlining your systems with the power of AI. It's a judgment-free zone where you can be yourself, ask "silly" questions, & connect with women who truly understand the juggle.
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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