Many superwomen, like Rosea Poynter, owner of The Bakehouse in Nottingham, are changing the look of the entrepreneur world. Poynter won the New Business of the Year award in 2017. Women entrepreneurs have incredibly created almost 204,000 jobs for the UK economy since its boom in 2014 and predictions say that by year 2025, approximately 217,000 jobs will be supported by mumpreneurs.
But can you accomplish this feat with a new baby at home? It is challenging enough to have a new baby and take care of life’s daily duties, but today the new entrepreneur is now the "mumpreneur" and you too can have time for your new bundle of joy and run a business at the same time.
No longer do we just think of startup owners as twenty-somethings in London playing video games at lunch or jogging around the corporate park. Though these guys still exist, there is a new and powerful entrepreneur on the scene today and these hard working women are giving other startup owners a run for their money. Small businesses are being celebrated today like never before and new mums are jumping right into the game with their own creative ideas and online support to help balance work and family life. Though new mums have a lot to do, running a startup can be done with simple but effective techniques that will help you stay productive and creative.
Boosting Creativity as a Busy Mum
Mothers wear many hats naturally and this skill is perfect for running a business. Science suggests that there is a neurological link between motherhood and creativity. It states that most women become more creative after giving birth. Although many mums are successfully transforming ideas into businesses, according to the Manchester Evening News who found it so amazing that they wrote an article on local mums, but staying creative may be the largest issue when it comes to remaining successful with such a busy schedule. However, if a mumpreneur can carve out a space of time each day to brainstorm and make a list of fresh ideas for their business, creativity will flow much easier on a daily basis. The key is to be determined to spend at least one of your baby’s nap times as a study and play time for yourself. During this time you can focus on your business and any new ideas that you may have on how to make it more successful. It is also important to have quality time with your newborn and many times you may have to work while feeding your baby, so it's a good idea to have the necessary items around you to make this possible.
Spend Time with Other Adults
It is paramount that new mums spend time with other adults. Your creativity is sparked by having conversation with friends and other new mums. This is a time period where ideas can be tossed around and a network of support can be created. There is no reason to try to do this alone. Ask for help with your creative ideas and when you feel that things may be getting boring or stale in your business, reach out to that network of friends and other startup owners for new ideas you may not be able to think of by yourself. A network of friends and family also provides mumpreneurs with a source that they can share ideas with, while gaining positive feedback. According to Lifehack.org, working parents thrive with a little time spent away from their kids. Organisations online such as, Startups, offer a wide range of business support for working women.
“There are now over 806,000 mum startups working from home in the U.K. alone. Mumpreneurs are the stars of the startup world today and they take on the challenge of balancing home life with business life. New mums must make time for themselves to stay creative and productive, but also network with other adults, whether they be other new mums or startup owners, or both. This creates a network of support and feedback that is highly needed when you are juggling work and a new baby.”
Staying Productive as a Startup Owner
Knowing your limits is a good way to remain productive when raising a child and running a business at the same time. If your baby is still a newborn, it may be out of the question for you to work full-time. So tailor your business to your current needs. You may decide that you can only run a part-time startup in the present moment and as your child becomes more independent, you can then add on hours of work time. Also, it is important to carve out a suitable workspace for yourself that is designated only for work and not intertwined with daily family duties. A comfortable workspace is a key factor in remaining productive in your business life.
