WHAT LIFE LESSONS CAN HELP IN BUSINESS ?
Single Mums Share Their Business Advice
Running your own business is no piece of cake, but neither is being single mum or dad raising a family. Read what these single mums, (all of whom have built successful companies), have to tell about their journey. What stands out is their mix of intelligence, creativity and sheer determination.
TIPS FOR SINGLE MUMS WITH FULL TIME JOBS
Being a parent is a full-time job in itself. Add to this the pressures of parenting solo while trying to juggle a career, and you pretty much have to be a real-life superhero. We understand the challenges of trying to put the food on the table as a single parent working full time.
In addition to sending you a virtual margarita (cheers!), we are here to offer some practical solutions. If you are feeling overwhelmed trying to balance it all, never fear. There is help for single parents working full time.
Regular Paid Child Care
Chances are, if you are working full time you will need some form of paid child care. The Australian government offers support for single parents working full time with the Child Care Subsidy..
Occasional Care
You can do some research on what care alternatives are available in your area. For example, some church groups and other organisations offer before and after school care, as well as action packed holiday programs.
Using Your Network as a single parent working full time
By simply asking those in your trusted network, you may be surprised that people will often be happy to offer help to single mums working full time. Family will likely be your first point of call, and grandparents may be happy to spend the extra time with their grandkids.
Household Assistance
There is nothing wrong with admitting you are struggling with work, parenting and keeping your house in order. Depending on your budget, a cleaner and gardener could give you a much-needed respite. There are even ironing services available!
Flexible Work Options
Popping your child in the baby carrier and taking them to work is probably not going to be the best option. But, this doesn’t mean your employer won’t be flexible in offering support for single parents working full-time. If you feel comfortable having this discussion with them you might find a solution
Take Care of Yourself
A healthy and happy mum will be a better mum. Don’t feel guilty for taking time to look after yourself. Book in for that haircut or manicure. Find a child-friendly pampering service if you need to. Read a good book on the train, attend a gym class. Gyms will often have a creche available.
Be Organised
This tip is really just to stop you from going crazy! Organisation is key to a smooth weekly schedule. Just ask organisational guru Marie Kondo. This could be as simple as meal prep or planning on the weekends (get the kids involved). And, having everyone’s outfits ready for the week.
The Last Word
There is support for single parents working full time. This could be either physical help such as picking up your kids from school, or emotional help where you have someone to talk to.
So, throw away the parental guilt and remember you are doing a stellar job in raising your kids. Sometimes, the saying “it takes a village to raise a child” rings true. Your children will always remember you working hard to give them what they need.
A word from USA’s most successful single mums in business
For most of these women, starting a business was a means of creating a better life for their kids; for others, and the kids themselves often inspired the business ideas. All of these women volunteer critical lessons learned along their road to success. Be inspired !.
Angela BentonOwn your single-mum status.
Angela Benton is the founder and CEO of NewME. Since launching in 2011, NewME has accelerated over 300 startups and helped them raise over $17 million in venture capital funding. Having her first child at 16 has never slowed Benton down as she has made a name for herself in the world of design and technology, appearing on Ebony magazine’s Power 150 2010, Goldman Sachs’ 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs of 2013 and Marie Claire’s 50 Women Who Rule 2013.
Her advice: “Being a single mum is NOT a setback. Don’t let the perception of this lifestyle count you out before you even count yourself in. Being a single mum comes with a wealth of skills that do well in business settings like: multitasking, creativity, managing and/or operating on a budget, and problem-solving to say the least”
Lisa Stone on ‘Ditch toxic influences’
In 2005, Lisa Stone co-founded BlogHer. Today, the female-focused media platform has an audience of 100 million. BlogHer also hosts the largest U.S. events for women who blog and use social media, and an award-winning social hub at BlogHer.com. Through BlogHer’s growth, Stone has learned how to succeed as an entrepreneur both as a young, divorced and single mom and now the working mother of a three-kid Brady bunch (ages 26, 18 and 14).
Her advice: “Ban toxic people from your life. You don’t have enough time already, right single mum or dad? So if you are living or working around a toxic person or people who invade your confidence and bring you down, you MUST remove them from your life.”
Lauren Thom on ‘Include your kids in your business’
Lauren Thom founded New Orleans-brand Fleurty Girl using $2,000 from her 2009 tax return. When the Saints went to the Super Bowl later that year, her t-shirts quickly became a must-have item for every New Orleans fan. Five years later, the single-mother of three now owns five locations and manages 30 employees.
Her advice: “You have to make family a part of your business… I’ve always considered my kids to be my board of directors, whether we’re moving or having them share a bedroom so we can open a store in our house. Make them a part of that journey. And that’s for any mum, not just single mums… Our kids are our reason to seek out a better life.”
Karla Campos on ‘Give yourself a break’
Karla Campos is a single mother of three and the founder of digital marketing training and education company Social Media Sass. Currently, she is working on Florida Social Con, a conference dedicated to bring affordable quality social media training to small business owners.
Her advice: Running your 0wn business, “just like motherhood, is not a 9-5 job. Some days I stay up until 3 am working and then have to do a 7 a.m. child drop off at school. Be kind to yourself. Make time for you even if it’s just to breathe and smell the air. Kids are going to make messes, they are going to eat your reports and download viruses to your computer. Your best weapon is a sense of humor. Enjoy your single mum business life, wear the title proudly. We are basically super heroes.”
Melissa Kieling ln ‘Remember: all you need is an idea and serious drive’
As a mother of three, Melissa Kieling struggled finding a product to keep her kids’ lunches cool and safe until lunchtime. So, she patented the idea for a lunch bag with a freezable gel built into its lining – an idea that grew into PackIt Personal Cooler. Five years later, PackIt has grown into a $14 million business with products that span lunch, wine, baby, picnic and shopping and distribution reaching more than 40 countries internationally.
Her advice: “Look for inspiration everywhere. Make note of all the things that frustrate you in your daily life, then research creative ways to address those inefficiencies. All it takes is an idea and an Internet connection to create a product that changes the world.
Don’t let inexperience stop you. My business résumé was basically limited to school bake sales. Not knowing which steps to take first nearly paralyzed me with fear. I overcame this by reaching out to other business owners who could connect me to experts in manufacturing, production and sales. Each key person I met shortened my learning curve and gave me confidence. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how other small business owners want to pay it forward and see new upstarts succeed.”
