Juggling Act: Motherhood and Running an Interior Design Business in Austin
They say timing is everything. And when it comes to motherhood and building a business, I'd say that's pretty accurate. Exactly one year after launching my interior design business here in Austin, I found out I was pregnant with my first child. Talk about a whirlwind!
Looking back, starting my business a year before becoming a mom was both a blessing and a challenge.
The Perks of Pre-Baby Business Building:
Establishing a Foundation: That first year allowed me to build a solid foundation for my business. I honed my skills, developed my brand, and started building a client base. This gave me a sense of stability and confidence going into motherhood.
Flexibility: As a new business owner, I had the flexibility to create my own schedule. This proved invaluable when navigating those early days of motherhood with doctor's appointments, sleepless nights, and the ever-changing needs of a newborn.
Creative Outlet: Running my own business provided a much-needed creative outlet during a time of immense physical and emotional change. It allowed me to maintain a sense of identity outside of motherhood.
The Challenges of Juggling Both:
Time Management: Balancing the demands of a new business with the overwhelming needs of a newborn was no easy feat. It required serious time management skills and a lot of late nights.
Mom Guilt: The ever-present "mom guilt" was real. I often felt torn between my desire to nurture my business and my desire to be present for every milestone.
Unpredictability: Babies are unpredictable, and there were times when client meetings or deadlines clashed with sick days or childcare emergencies. Learning to adapt and go with the flow was essential.
Lessons Learned:
Embrace the Chaos: Motherhood and entrepreneurship are both messy and unpredictable. Learning to embrace the chaos and find joy in the journey is key.
Prioritize Self-Care: Taking care of yourself is not a luxury, it's a necessity. Make time for things that fill your cup, whether it's a workout, a coffee date with a friend, or simply a quiet moment to yourself. This is the hardest thing for me to do, especially when my babies were infants and I had projects under construction that needed me and me only. It was an incredibly tough combination.
Build a Support System: Surround yourself with a supportive community of family, friends, and fellow entrepreneurs. Having people to lean on makes all the difference.
My advice to aspiring mompreneurs in Austin?
If you're dreaming of starting a business and having a family, don't wait for the "perfect" time. There will never be one. Take the leap, embrace the journey, and know that you are capable of achieving amazing things, even with a baby on your hip.
