Across Australia, thousands of women are hard at work running businesses. In fact, 34% of all businesses are women owned (nearly 700,000). In the last two decades, the number of businesses started by mums across the nation have been rising significantly. Starting a business can seem overwhelming, especially if you are in the stage of life where you are raising children. So if you're planning on turning your skills into a side hustle, or starting your own business as a mum, this article is for you!
6 Tips To Starting A Business As A Mum
1. Create A Business That Fits Your Lifestyle
Owning a business gives mums a lot of flexibility. It’s important to choose the right business to fit your lifestyle. Whether you are looking for a full-time income or supplementing your partner's salary, you get to decide how many hours you want to work and what type of business is right for you and your family. It's a good idea to start by writing a business plan and setting up your business correctly to avoid any hassles in the future. Also, your situation will change as your children get older and become more independent. You can always make changes to your business as your life changes.
2. Have A Dedicated Work Space
Staying productive while balancing any daily errands and possibly childcare is no easy task. One strategy is to create your own dedicated work space where you can minimise distractions. This could be a separate room in your home or even a garage. This will help you separate your work and home life and increase your efficiency while working from home.
3. Create A Schedule
Working mums need to be more intentional about how they spend their time. It’s still important that you don’t neglect your family, but at the same time you don't want your business to suffer. Creating a schedule to find the perfect balance can help. There may be certain times or days that are better for you to use as working hours. For example, you may need to take advantage of nap times and bedtime hours when your kids are small. You can also create a schedule that allows you to maximise the support you get from your partner.
4. Delegate Household Chores & Responsibilities
Just because you're a mum doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself. Feel free to delegate household chores and responsibilities to others. Communicate with your partner what support you need and ask them to pitch in. If you have older children, let them help with the business or cleaning around the house. You can also hire other people to help such as getting a housekeeper or using a grocery delivery service. Learning how to delegate is a great skill to have if you ever want to expand your business!
5. Network With Other Business-Mums
There is a good chance that you know other self-employed or business-mums. Network with them and figure out how you can support one another. Taking turns watching each other’s kids can help give you both more quiet time to focus on your work. You can also help running errands such as picking up dry cleaning or making trips to the supermarket. If you don't know anyone, check on places like Facebook or local forums for groups of business owning mums that you can join.
6. Plan Time For Yourself
Running a business and raising children simultaneously will take herculean efforts. But don’t forget to plan time for yourself. You work hard, so take the time to care for your own health and wellbeing. Be sure to schedule time to visit the spa, get your nails done, or pursue a hobby. You deserve it!
Eliminate Some Stress With Business Insurance
Depending on what type of business you pursue, you may need to consider business insurance such as public liability or professional indemnity. Be sure to check out upcover's instant quote generator, where Australian business-mums can get a quote on market-leading business insurance online in seconds! Simply enter your occupation and expected annual revenue to get started today.
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