FunAfterBaby - for mums in business
A Business Mum - is that possible?
Running your own business can mean that you get to have a fulfilling career as well as enjoying watching your family grow. The one thing you must remember is that it won't always be easy. Most business barely breakeven in the first year and you will probably be spending evenings working - but the rewards can outweigh the early troubles!
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I'm sitting here writing this article as my 3 year old is rifling through the laundry basket. I can see the mess he's making but I've learnt to ignore it. That's one thing I've found out about running my own business, you can't expect to have a perfect house, perfectly clean and tidy children and a well run business. Something has to give - right now, it's my laundry basket.
When I say "you can have your cake and eat it" I mean it, but you have to decide what the cake is made of. You have to get the ingredients right to suit you. For instance, if you get real pride from an exceptionally clean house then you need to factor in the cost of a cleaner in your business plan, either that or get the kids and partner to split the cleaning with you. Whatever you do, you need to realise that you can't do it all by yourself.......as good as us women are at multi-tasking, even we aren't superhuman!
Now for the things I've learnt along the way, they may help you or they may not, but there's no harm in taking note is there?
* Remember to plan well. Sounds boring, you have a wonderful business idea and you're so excited you can't wait to get going. But please remember, if you plan well at the start you will probably miss many of the misktakes lots of us make in the earlier years. Your plan doesn't have to be rigid, better that it is not, some flexibility will allow you to adapt to things that happen along the way.
* Take time out to create your business plan before you go all out on marketing. You need to know your market, understand your competition and know where and how you will "fit in" and compete. Try and workout your finances before you start, what will the cost of startup be? What will you roughly expect to make. This type of plan will really help you get financing if you need it. The NatWest Bank (amongst many others) have a really good business startup account and help with business startups.
* Don't be shy, use the help that is available - BusinessLink are great for support and information and they can put you in touch with local business advisors that you can see on a face to face basis.
* Set yourself goals and targets. They may be small or large - a mix of the two is best. Then when you reach your goals mark it in the diary and celebrate a little. Remember that running your own business is what you want to do and that enjoying the journey is part of it. You can celebrate is many ways, from buying yourself a treat to just taking a day off and reading your favourite magazine. Click here to have a look at our Business Achievement Chart. Enjoy the moment, you'll have more hard work to do later!
