Juggling motherhood and a business is not an easy task, but there are a lot of mompreneurs out there who are handling it pretty well. What are their secrets to overcoming the struggles of managing their clients, doing their inventories, and marketing their products while ensuring their kids are growing healthy, happy, and well?
One thing's for sure: there is no shortcut or manual to balancing your business and being a hands-on mom and wife all at once. It takes a village, and lots of patience, grit, and grace.
Smart Parenting asked 14 mompreneurs what were the biggest challenges they faced, and how they overcome them.
14 tips from mompreneurs on juggling business and motherhood
Motherhood is not your only identity
Jelyn Patricio, 34, Cainta, Rizal, mom of 1, Instapost PH
"Motherhood is not our only identity and we can still dream and pursue our goals in life. I relied on several key factors to overcome this challenge.
First, support from my family and partner. Second, delegating tasks and hiring the right people. This allowed me to concentrate on the important thing that matters and have more time spending with my family while still ensuring the success of my business. Third, setting aside time for exercise, meditation, and hobbies that help me recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Lastly, and the most important is keeping God at the center of it all. Work as if you are working for The Lord, ika nga."
Don't let mom guilt get the best of you
Apple Alegro, 38, Marikina City, mom of 2 kids, The Slim Firm
"The biggest challenge I encountered is how to overcome mom guilt. Sometimes, it gets the best of me. There are times that I cannot attend to what my kids need because I am in the office or busy at work. I always tell myself that we need to make little sacrifices for the family. Being grateful helped me deal with it and instead of looking at the things that I don't have, I dwell on the blessing that I have."
You don't need to be a Wonder Woman
Carolyn Chuaying Tanchen, 45, Quezon City, mom of 1, UV Care / Intech Group Innovations
"One of the biggest challenges I faced as a mompreneur was the high expectations that I set for myself to be strong, capable, excel in business, and be the best mom possible. This put immense pressure and stress on me as I constantly tried to live up to these unrealistic standards I set for myself, to be successful, accomplished, looking glamourous (I don’t even want to go out without my make-up on), and a devoted mother at the same time. I want it all.
I was able to overcome this challenge by trusting God more, being content, and being grateful for every moment. I don’t need to be a Wonder Woman (even though I know my husband has a huge crush on Gal Gadot). Instead, I focused on choosing what matters and valuing what was most important. It also helped that I was able to share my struggles and challenges with my family and my team. Allowing them to see my vulnerabilities, seeing me cry and break down, willing to admit my fears, worries, and mistakes, and listening to advice from others."
Wake up with a purpose
Therese Aranzaso, 44, Mandaluyong City, mom of 1, Pose and Print by Studio 28 Creative, Sketch Collective
"Biggest challenge is time management handling business, house management, and raising a child all at the same time. I overcome it by creating a weekly and daily schedule. Waking up with a purpose and goal setting is a must for a mompreneur."
Set your goals for the day
Ariane Caguioa, Parañaque City, 3 kids, Cair Clean Skin Care, Mom Taste Manila, Metro Fight Club
"As a mom of three kids (two big schoolers and a 17-month-old baby), with no helper at home, and a busy as a bee businessman husband, I am totally like a walking zombie struggling to accomplish things for myself and motherhood.
I overcome those hardships by setting up my goals for the day. I set a schedule, adjust as much as I can if something came up unexpectedly, learn to accept and forgive myself if things fail, and strive again the next day. This is my season, this is where I'm planted by God. I love to embrace motherhood and being a wife while hustling."
READ ALSO: 7 Gadgets And Devices Mompreneurs Swear By (And Where To Buy Them)
Accept that it is what it is
Paola Rioveros, 36, Antipolo, mom of 1, The Happy Bluehouse
"Being a one-man team in my business and taking care of the house, child, and husband. I'm sure there are many moms like me. But it is really hard, lalo na to manage your time. Pero you just have to accept that it is what it is, when I've accepted it, it helped me be able to think properly and have a systematic schedule everyday."
"Be the best version I can be to my family, my team, my clients, and myself. I don't need an "Instagrammable" life; instead, I focus on a life well lived." Gretch Lee
Communication is key
Darlene Lim, 38, Metro Manila, mom of 1, Royal Artisans
"We don’t have a helper and a nanny. As mompreneurs, we often neglect our spouses when we have kids and a business to run. I overcome it by communicating with my husband about my challenges and what can I do to make sure that his love tank is full. I adjust my schedule and say no to some appointments if needed, making sure that family comes first. Business is just there. If there’s not much income, I ask for support from our store partners if they have any marketing schedules that we can support them."
Think of ways to add value to your customers
Mara Kereci, 28, Taguig City, mom of 1, Bespoke Nazar
"I was a one-woman team in the business and I was pressured to see more returns. So what I did shifted my focus from expecting more ROI to thinking of more ways to add more value to my customers. If a business is driven by passion to help other people's needs, it reduces unwanted stress."
Everything happens for a reason
Joy Astilla, 39, Quezon City, mom of 4, Urban Essentials
"One of the biggest challenges I encountered in my business was during the Taal volcano eruption in 2020, and we sold almost 3000 pieces of masks overnight. The problem was, we did not have enough stocks. We had to message each customer amid their panic and anger and had to refund most of the orders. It took us almost two months to rectify this, and affected us emotionally. We got so many hateful and hurtful messages from random people for not being able to serve their orders. But because of that experience, we made improvements to our website and inventory system. So by the time the pandemic hit just 2 months after that event, we were oh-so ready. It just proves that nothing is random and everything happens for a reason."
Be kind to yourself
Therese Alonzo, 30, Makati, mom of 1, Rai and Rese Bath and Body
"One of the biggest challenges I encounter as a mompreneur is to how to prioritize my day. It was easier when there were no children yet but having two kids under the age of three, it can really be mind-blowing. I feel like I am all over the place and napabayaan ko yung business ko. Every day is still a challenging choice on how to move forward. To be honest, I am just slowly overcoming my biggest challenge now by being kind to myself, asking for help from others, and writing it all down."
"We need to remember that we need others to keep us in check." Leny de Sena, Nanay atbp.
Hire a good team
Tina de Guzman, 39, Antipolo, mom of 2, The Oil Natural Project and Pinay Girl Boss
"As a mompreneur, my biggest challenge is putting in place plans and systems so I don’t feel overwhelmed when I am pulled in all directions. I wear many hats and have to work alongside mommy duties, so hiring a good team, working with my community, and having work systems have helped me be more organized, efficient, and productive."
Do not journey alone
Leny de Sena, 35, San Pedro Laguna, mom of 1, Nanay atbp.
"Kapag naging nanay ka na kasi kakayanin mong gawin ang lahat para sa sarili mong pamilya, kumbaga super mom. Nevertheless, all of us need help. One of the ways to overcome burnout is #DoNotJourneyAlone and #ShareYourThoughts.
Sabi nga nila, no man is an island kaya pag nahihirapan na don’t be shy to ask for help. I usually ask for help from my husband whether an extra hand in the house, taking care of our son, or even ideas for our small business. We need to remember that we need others to keep us in check, they can also give us new perspectives and even enlighten us through prayers and advice."
Live on your own terms
Gretch Lee, 37, Metro Manila, mom of 1, Tiny Winks & Celebrations by Che
"The biggest challenge is definitely how to balance it all - how to juggle being a mommy, wife, teacher, nurse, businesswoman, and event planner every day. My answer is to simply live according to my own terms. Be the best version I can be to my family, my team, my clients, and myself. I don't need an "Instagrammable" life; instead, I focus on a life well lived."
Have a wonderful support system
Collette C. Raquel, 36, mom of 2, TB and Co. Jewelry
"It can be tough to find the right balance between managing a business and taking care of my family and home. Some days, it feels like there aren't enough hours in the day to do it all! But with proper planning, creativity, and a willingness to pivot when things get hectic, I've been able to make it work. I'm lucky to have a wonderful support system (mom friends & a mom group) and I've learned that taking care of myself is just as important as taking care of my business and my loved ones."
Why having a mompreneur community is important
Like our Facebook group, Smart Parenting Village, having a support system is important. Whether you are mom, a businesswoman or both, you don't have to face your struggles alone.
Here are three mompreneur communities that you can join:
1. Mindful Mompreneurs Club
Chesca Susmerano, the creative mompreneur behind Studio Maria, started a group called Mindful Mompreneurs Club with her fellow moms to support other mompreneurs.
"Motherhood sometimes feels lonely. Entrepreneurship can also feel lonely. Mompreneurship? Especially for small businesses, is a different kind of lonely - it’s the struggles of both combined for one person to handle."
She added, "Community for mompreneurs is important because like our children, we need an environment that supports us too. It helps to know that we are not alone, and that other moms are also in this same journey - and succeeding despite the challenges."
Get to know more about the group here.
2. The Modern Mompreneurs Community
Jelyn Patricio of InstaPostPH created this new community of moms who juggle household duties and livelihood opportunities. In an article by Manila Times, Jelyn shared the group's mission, "Creating a safe environment with co-mompreneurs will make everyone feel less alone, that their problems are shared by others, that they are recognized, that their sentiments are real and significant, and that we can handle motherhood and entrepreneurship together with grace and grit."
Get to know more about the group here.
3. The SHEeo Society
While this group is not exclusive to moms, the SHEeo Society is a private social club that "empowers Modern Women to confidently show up as their authentic selves in life and business."
According to its founder Maine Uy, the group was created "to sculpt a space for meaningful conversations, furnished with thoughtfully designed pieces that enable genuine connections."
Get to know more about the group here.
Watch this video on how dad and Potato Corner founder Jorge Wieneke on how to teach your kids to be business-minded at an early age.
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