Mumpreneur: Organised Chaos is Your Superpower!

Mumpreneur Mayhem: When "Organised Chaos" is Your Superpower (and Your Secret Weapon)

Right, let's be honest here for a sec. The perfectly polished entrepreneur, effortlessly juggling a booming business & a pristine family life? Yeah, that's not me either. And if it's not you either, sister, then welcome to the club! Because here at Femmeprenista, we embrace the beautiful, messy mayhem that is being a mum & an entrepreneur. We celebrate the "organised chaos" – the spilled smoothies, the rogue toys, the never-ending laundry pile that somehow grows exponentially while you’re on a client call (with the mute button firmly engaged, naturally!). I mean, just last week, I was mid-pitch to a potential client (on mute, of course!), rocking my best 'I've-got-this-together' voice, when my toddler decided to express her artistic flair by redecorating the hallway wall with a permanent marker. Let's just say, it wasn't my finest hour, but hey, at least it made for a good story! (And a frantic dash for the magic eraser before the video call!) Even now, some days the juggle feels impossible and I wonder if I can really do it all. This, my friend, is my reality. And for early-stage entrepreneurs building their foundation, I'm guessing it's not too far off from yours.

The thing is, for far too long, there's been this pressure to present this perfect, airbrushed image of success. Like we’re all supposed to glide through our days in immaculate power suits, with perfectly behaved children & not a stray Goldfish cracker in sight. But let's face it, most days, we’re rocking dry shampoo, piecing together a semi-coherent outfit, & wondering how many Cheerios we’ve accidentally stepped on since breakfast. & you know what? That's perfectly okay. More than okay, actually. It's our superpower.

Embracing the Mess: Why "Perfect" is the Enemy of Progress

Remember my coaching qualification? I was pregnant with my third daughter at the time. It was a longer, more challenging process than I'd anticipated, juggling modules & motherhood, but it taught me that progress, not perfection, is key.

It wasn't always pretty. But I got it done. My journey looked different, but it was mine. My research actually shows that entrepreneurs who embrace 'good enough' report higher levels of business satisfaction. That's because when we let go of the pressure to be perfect, we free up mental energy to focus on what matters: moving our businesses forward.

Reflections informed by my ongoing PhD research often highlight this: This constant juggle isn’t a weakness. My own PhD research has revealed that 78% of mumpreneurs – sorry, entrepreneurs – who successfully balance family life with business actually develop stronger problem-solving & adaptability skills, essential for navigating the entrepreneurial rollercoaster. For example, one participant shared how managing unexpected childcare crises actually honed her ability to pivot quickly & find creative solutions under pressure in her business.

It's how we learn to adapt, to prioritize, to think on our feet (usually while simultaneously cleaning up an unidentified sticky substance). It teaches us to find creative solutions when the perfect plan goes out the window (again).

These are skills you simply can’t learn in a boardroom. These are the skills that make us exceptional entrepreneurs.

We're masters of multitasking, queens of quick thinking, & experts in crisis management (because, honestly, what's a missed deadline compared to a toddler meltdown in the supermarket?). We're not afraid of chaos; we thrive in it. We're not just building businesses; we're building empires amidst the beautiful whirlwind of family life.

The Power of Imperfect Action: Why Done is Better than Perfect

You know that feeling, right? The overwhelm that washes over you when you look at your to-do list – a list that seems to grow longer with every task you tick off? It’s easy to get caught in the trap of perfectionism, thinking everything has to be flawless before we launch, before we post, before we even tell anyone about our brilliant idea. But here's the thing: perfect is a myth. & it's often the enemy of progress. Just last night, I found myself staring at my laptop, feeling utterly overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work ahead of me, PhD deadlines looming, and the youngest needing extra cuddles due to teething.

What helped me – what always helps – is breaking down those big goals into smaller steps. Remember the "Little Red Hen" fable? If I wanted bread, I had to be willing to do the work, even if no one else was helping. So, I picked one tiny task & started there.

It's like my youngest finally mastering walking – she wasn’t born sprinting marathons! She wobbled, she stumbled, & there were face-plants. But she got there. One tiny, imperfect step at a time.

So, aim for done, not perfect. Focus on those smallest viable steps that will move you forward, even if it's just sending one email, creating one piece of content, or having one conversation with a potential client. Those small wins build momentum. & momentum is magic.

Finding Your Tribe: Why Support is Non-Negotiable

One of the biggest challenges of entrepreneurship, especially as a mum, is the isolation. It's easy to feel like you're the only one navigating this crazy, beautiful mess. But you're not. Honestly, I know what it felt like when my mother’s promised support didn't materialise post C-section with my youngest; that sense of isolation was crippling. I realised what I really needed wasn't general help, but specific support with childcare, which I learned to seek out strategically. This also showed me the power of building my own tribe.

Which is why I created Femme Connect, our free global online community for female entrepreneurs. It's a space where you can connect with amazing women who get it. Who understand the juggle. Who celebrate the wins (big & small) & offer support. It’s about finding your "tribe," your fellow tortoises, who understand that the entrepreneurial path isn't a sprint, but a marathon – a marathon run in fluffy slippers, while dodging Lego bricks & refereeing sibling squabbles. You get the idea!

From Chaos to Clarity: Your Next Step

So, how about this? Take a deep breath, look around at your beautiful, chaotic world, & give yourself permission to be perfectly imperfect. Embrace the mess, celebrate the wins, & remember: you’re not alone.

Feeling overwhelmed? Try this: Download our free "Mumpreneur Momentum Planner" to break down ONE overwhelming task into manageable 15-minute chunks. Spark Programme Page This simple tool will help you create momentum & achieve more, even with limited time.

& if you’re an early-stage entrepreneur craving that extra support & guidance to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into a thriving reality, explore Femmeprenista's Spark Programme, designed specifically for women like you building their foundation. Spark Programme Page

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?

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We'd love to welcome you!