Want To Quit Your Job To Be A Hands-On Parent? Mompreneurs Share It's Not Easy, But It's Possible

"Give up something good for something better."

This mantra resonated with me when I left my full-time teaching career to pursue a business close to my heart. Embracing mompreneurship requires a leap of faith; it pushes beyond comfort zones into realms filled with financial uncertainty, risk of failure, and heightened responsibility.

Smart Parenting talked to three accomplished mompreneurs, who own both product- and service-based enterprises, about their experiences transitioning from professional employment to entrepreneurial endeavors.

Lessons from moms who transitioned from employees to entrepreneurs

1. From operations manager to local brand owner

Liz Nolasco, a mom of two under two, used to work as the Operations Manager of one of the biggest obstacle fitness facility in Southeast Asia before the pandemic. She also worked for an all-woman's gym here in the Philippines and Malaysia. On the side, she taught fitness classes and conducted wellness talks for companies, resorts and events.

Liz took a significant leap of faith to transition. "I had my small business, wedding and [welcomed] my first baby within a year, so imagine the transition from a full-time career woman to being a full-time wife, mom and entrepreneur," she told Smart Parenting.

"The fulfillment of being a mompreneur is really having time for what really matters—our family." —Liz Nolasco

The biggest challenge for Liz was adapting her routines. She used to have a fixed schedule for everything until her mompreneur life has become unpredictable as she navigates breastfeeding and caring for a newborn without help. She is now focusing on time-blocking to manage her responsibilities better.

Liz owns Luid Lokal, a brand offering acacia woodenwares and other local products crafted by Filipino communities. Her passion for cooking and eco-friendly living sparked the business idea, turning woodenware usage into an enterprise. She and her husband see this as an opportunity to support local communities and promote the skills of local artisans. Luid Lokal now has a physical store in Angeles City and collaborates with top hotels and malls across the country.

"The fulfillment of being a mompreneur is really having time for what really matters—our family. I am grateful that I can be present for my children during their critical stages of development and learning. I wanted to be there for all their firsts and to also teach them important values. Despite the struggles, she said she came to love the freedom of managing her own time. "I can schedule pedia and dentist visits, do grocery shopping and have pampering sessions any time of the week," she said. Financially, she's earning as much as she did in her previous job.

From a UX designer to managing three businesses

Ysa Lim, a mom of three, started Garden Lab in 2017. She used to be a user experience (UX) designer in a pharmaceutical company based in Singapore. Before the pandemic, she balanced her day job with managing their offline store in department stores. The transition was challenging because the pandemic interfered with her plans.

“Nung nagwowork ako dati, kung ano lang need ko tapusin na work, hanggang dun lang yung oras na gugugulin ko sa trabaho. Nung naging mompreneur ako, pakiramdam ko dala-dala ko yung trabaho ko hanggang panaginip." —Ysa Lim

“Umalis pa naman ako sa work ko kasi nahihirapan ako i-juggle yung pag-aalaga sa baby ko at saka work-from-home na daytime job. Sabi ko, mag-focus na lang ako palaguin yung negosyo,” she said.

It turns out, the pandemic was a blessing in disguise, transforming offline stores to online and then to multi-channel stores.

If your main purpose in leaving your job is to stop working for eight hours a day, think again. Mommy Ysa shared how challenging it is to become a mompreneur: “Nung nagwowork ako dati, kung ano lang need ko tapusin na work, hanggang dun lang yung oras na gugugulin ko sa trabaho. Hindi ko na sya iniisip pagkasara ko ng laptop or pag weekends. Pero nung naging mompreneur ako, pakiramdam ko dala-dala ko yung trabaho ko hanggang panaginip."

She continued, "Pagkagising ko sa umaga, negosyo na agad nasa isip ko. Bago matulog sa gabi, negosyo pa din. Walang pause. Kasi gusto mo lumago yung negosyo. One-man team sya. Kapag humina ang sales, walang ibang mamomroblema kung hindi ikaw. Lahat ng departamento ng brand mo ikaw ang may hawak.”

Given her background, she didn't know anything about business management, including the basics of financing, business registration, and marketing. So, she had to learn these skills while performing multiple roles. She learned it one step at a time. “Kailangan constantly ine-educate mo ang sarili mo,” she said.

Despite all the challenges, Ysa's business gave her personal and family life lots of blessings that she couldn’t have had she been employed. She became a better mother and a co-provider with her husband. She shared: “Sa bahay lang ako nag-wowork kaya mas nasusupervise ko yung daily activities ng mga anak ko. Lalo na yung interaction nila sa isa't isa at sa ibang tao. Nabibili din namin kung ano yung gusto at kailangan namin.”

Currently, she manages three businesses: a bakeshop, an aromatherapy shop, and a perfumery. Her primary business is GardenLab, which offers essential oils, diffusers, and humidifiers. “Madami akong natutunan simula nung nag-negosyo ako. Kasi kailangan ko constantly iimprove yung sarili ko para na din sa negosyo,” she concluded.

From corporate communications manager to home-based branding and marketing strategy coach

Rita Cabrera Torrejon, a mom of two, formerly worked as a Brands Communications Manager for a women's clothing brand. Her team's role was to create a clear story and image for the brand to attract their target customers. She enjoyed her job, which aligned well with her passion for marketing.

"I never knew I could be a full-time mom and earn a full-time employee's salary by working a few hours a day, but it turns out it was possible." —Rita Cabrera Torrejon

When asked about what made her decide to become a mompreneur, Rita shared, "I was already considering the idea of leaving corporate and creating a business instead, even around three years before I resigned. But I didn't have enough guts and courage. It wasn't until a personal challenge came. We wanted to have a second baby but had difficulty conceiving, so we decided I needed to resign muna as the schedule and stress might be contributing to it. One thing led to another and before I knew it, I never went back to corporate and built a home-based branding and marketing coaching business instead."

The transition wasn't easy—like many moms, Rita feared the change and initially struggled with decreased confidence and time management, especially with a preschooler constantly needing her attention. "I could not contribute to the family income the way I can when I was working full-time. And maybe because I am mostly at home, I'm usually in pambahay, didn't feel so good when I feel losyang."

As she learned to embrace her new role as a mompreneur, she felt good about dressing up at home, even on days when she doesn't have meetings. She improves her daily habits and finds time to do time blocks for work, chores, time with kids, and time with herself.

Rita summarized the improvement in her life as Time, Finances, and Fulfillment. "I never knew I could be a full-time mom and earn a full-time employee's salary by working a few hours a day, but it turns out it was possible. I felt like I am so much more now, because I'm able to be present for family while building a business that fulfills me."

Aside from offering branding services, she recently launched a bag brand called R.O.A.M. "I believe it all boils down to being clear about the mission behind the brand and who they want to serve - and how that mission is to be communicated through their brand story."

Having a support system is key

In the stories of Liz, Ysa, and Rita, we see courage, perseverance, and determination. Their stories prove how these moms raise businesses while raising babies, and live their lives in their own terms. 

One of the things that helped these three mompreneurs is becoming part of the Mindful Mompreneurs Club (MMC), which helps moms thrive in mompreneurship and motherhood. This community offers gatherings for sharing wins and challenges and holds learning sessions to foster entrepreneurship success.

Indeed, it takes a village to raise a child and a mompreneur.

Join this FREE event for aspiring mompreneurs 

Learn more from the stories of moms, including Smart Parenting Mom Squad member, Love Cosio, and Smart Parenting editor Judy Santiago Aladin who pursued their passions while being hands-on parents. Join the Mindful Motherhood for Modern Moms: A Mother's Day Celebration on May 12, 2024 at The Bellevue Manila. Register in this link for FREE.