The number of stay-at-home moms starting their own businesses has increased in recent years. There’s even a term for moms-turned-entrepreneurs: mompreneur. If you want to earn some extra money while still having time to care for your kids, a work-from-home business is a great choice. Shaboard is dedicated to giving women like you the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in their personal and professional lives. This guide explains how you can become your own boss while still maintaining your most important title: mom.
Choose a kid-friendly business model.
When deciding what type of business to start, consider your personal interests and existing skills. Business Idea Insight offers a list of jobs suitable for stay-at-home parents, including after-school care, school meal prep service, and ecommerce shop. When selecting a business model, also consider your kids’ ages and time demands. If they’re still young, a more low-maintenance business may be preferable.
Write a business plan.
A business plan will help you organize your startup and set the stage for success. This detailed document includes a description of your product or service, a market analysis to assess competition in the field, and financial projections detailing what you expect to make. It also requires you to determine your startup costs. Entrepreneur provides an easy seven-step guide to writing a business plan.
Establish your brand.
With your business defined, it’s time to choose a name for your company. This will serve as the basis for your brand. You can further help build a strong brand image by creating a logo to go with your business name. If you’re not a graphic design expert, you can find a professional with the requisite skills via an online work-for-hire platform like Upwork. Most pros in the field charge as much as $35 per hour, making this a small yet worthy investment.
Create a workspace away from the kids.
Juggling work and kids isn’t always easy. Foster focus by establishing a workstation in your home that gives you privacy. Avoid areas with a lot of foot traffic, like the kitchen. SHRM suggests a desk in the corner of the bedroom as one option. They further recommend investing in noise-canceling headphones to wear so you can concentrate. Of course, this is assuming you’ve passed off child care duties and are sure your little ones won’t need you.
Set a routine that encourages a positive work-life balance.
Working parents often struggle to establish a positive work-life balance. Business News Daily recommends setting strict boundaries in terms of work hours. Define what times of day you will be there for your business. When your end-of-day deadline approaches, stick to it. Power down your computer, put your phone on silent, and go spend some time with the kids.
Start marketing to find your first customers.
Loyal customers are a cornerstone of any successful business. Marketing is the key to attracting people to your new venture. Credo offers a list of digital marketing options for small businesses, including an SEO-optimized website, social media, and pay-per-click advertising. If you don’t have the knowledge or skills to implement these measures yourself, again you can outsource such tasks via platforms like Upwork.
Build your support network.
As a mompreneur, you may find yourself getting overwhelmed at times. Having a solid support network of like-minded individuals to turn to when you’re feeling discouraged is critical. Inc. provides pointers for establishing a support network, such as communicating with people who are in the same life phase as you. In your case, talking to fellow mompreneurs can help.
Building your own business and maintaining your duties as a mom will be challenging at times. However, it will be well worth it once you’ve established a thriving startup that gives you the freedom to work from home.
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