Bedtime Stories to Business Plans: How to Find Inspiration as a Mumpreneur
Mumpreneurs are creating their own space in the working world, crafting jobs and building businesses that work seamlessly alongside the demands of motherhood.
Whether you’re at the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey or you’re looking to scale an existing start-up, this article is for you.
Starting a Business and Balancing Motherhood
One of the hardest parts about being a mumpreneur is finding inspiration when your head feels so full of stuff from haircuts, doctor appointments and school lunches to grocery lists, kids’ activities, play dates, and so much more.
In this article we will share our tips for finding inspiration even when life is busy. Whether you have time in your schedule to sit down and think or you have to process things while on the school run, we’ve got you covered.
Schedule Some “Me” Time
Being a mum is a wild ride. The responsibilities are exhausting. The demands on your time are constant and you can sometimes feel like you’re failing more than you’re thriving. Most mums can probably relate. So, it’s time to take action.
As a mumpreneur (aspiring or not), scheduling some ‘me time’ is vital to your success as a businesswoman. Without it, you may find yourself in a constant state of overwhelm and this makes it almost impossible for inspiration to strike.
Taking some ‘me time’ on a regular basis will provide room to think about and ponder new ideas and explore where your passion is - it will offer space for inspiration to strike.
Oh, and as an extra (and perhaps most important) bonus: it will help you become a happier, more relaxed parent. So, you can balance your work from home jobs and be a better mum for your kids. Basically, it’s an all-round good thing and we highly recommend you give it a try.
Research Subjects and Industries That Interest You
Mumpreneurs in search of inspiration, spend a lot of time researching things that interest them.
Whether you want to start your own magazine franchise, open your own cafe or beauty salon, or freelance from the comfort of your sofa, researching your interests and discovering some of the best side hustle ideas and online business ideas for beginners are great places to start.
By starting with your interests, you will launch a business idea that you feel passionate about and the rest will evolve from there.
Problem Solve What’s Relevant to You
Are you regularly faced with the same problems in your life? Perhaps you struggle with a certain product, a work process, an issue with one of your children, a health problem, or something else.
Well, be encouraged that problem solving forms the foundation of entrepreneurship. So, it’s time to start working on finding those solutions.
Many mumpreneurs find business inspiration when considering solutions to problems they often face. Problem-solving is a great way to think of new ideas, pursue your passions, and solve real-life problems at the same time.
Never Stop Learning
Do you love learning new things? Perhaps you’ve started a part-time university course or you’re learning to knit. Whatever your pursuits, it’s vital that we as human beings never stop learning.
According to Oxford Business College, “One of the foundational tenets of entrepreneurship is the understanding that the learning curve never truly plateaus [...] This ingrained ethos of lifelong learning means that entrepreneurs are always in pursuit of knowledge, always ready to adapt, and forever evolving in their personal and professional capacities. In a world where change is the only constant, such an approach isn’t just beneficial - it’s essential.”
The great thing about learning new skills is that you can pick up new business ideas along the way. For example, you might learn to knit and find enjoyment in creating products that you can sell. Or you might complete a university course that allows you to pursue online tutoring, for example.
Prioritising self-learning will ensure you continue to grow and develop as an entrepreneur, honing your skills and furthering your knowledge to benefit yourself and your business.
Surround Yourself with Inspirational People
Are there people in your life you feel inspired by? Perhaps there are people you know who run a business or juggle that work/life balance beautifully.
Whoever inspires you, do your best to prioritise spending time with them. You can learn a lot from others, simply by observing what they do and how they do it.
This is also a great opportunity to ask for coaching or mentoring. It’s important you seek a mentor who inspires you to do and be better. Inspirational people push us to work harder, aspire for more, and challenge the boundaries of what we feel to be possible.
Working with a mentor who also has business experience is important as this will ensure you receive valuable advice on your entrepreneurial journey. Those who have gone before you know the common pitfalls, challenges and opportunities and can share these with you.
This will support you in confidently navigating the challenges of running a business as they arise.
Always Ask Questions
Did you know that it’s important to ask questions? As children, we used to ask questions all the time; Why is the sky blue? What’s that plant called? Why do bubbles pop? Etc. Asking questions is human nature. It helps us learn new things and improve our understanding of the world around us.
When it comes to running your own business, asking questions is vital to your success. You should ask questions of your mentors to help your business grow and thrive.
You should ask questions of your customers to ensure you are meeting their needs with your service or product. And you should ask questions of your employees to find areas for improvement in your business.
Asking questions as much as possible keeps you open to new ideas and supports healthy communication between yourself, your customers, and your employees. This means you can avoid numerous challenges, foresee potential issues, and create a company culture that values feedback and making proactive changes.
Taking that first step
Taking the leap into mumpreneurship can feel daunting. Where will you find the time? How will you juggle everything? What about financial security? When you are starting out, it can often feel like there are more questions than answers.
However, starting a business will give you new-found confidence and something that is just for you. With the right support and plenty of inspiration, you’re likely to find business success.
We hope this article has provided you with some great inspiration and we wish you the very best of luck on your entrepreneurial journey.