Are you tired of daydreaming about starting your own business? Well, although we’re half way through 2023, there’s still plenty of time to make it the year you finally turn those dreams into reality!
When speaking to my clients and potential clients, I hear the same thing. That they’ve been feeling for a while that they’ve got more to offer the world than in the job they currently have. They don’t all necessarily dislike their 9-5 – some are happy enough. But they all just can’t shake the feeling that they’re meant to be working for themselves, doing work that lights them up.
And I get it. Because since I started my business and left the corporate world to become a full time coach, my life has completely transformed. So here are 8 compelling reasons to start that business this year:
1. Joy & Fulfillment
As rewarding as being a Mum is, it often means putting our personal aspirations on hold. However, starting a side business gives you the freedom to express your creativity and pursue your passions outside of your role as a parent. By turning your passion into a business, you’ll find a renewed sense of purpose and fulfillment in your work and it provides an outlet for self-expression and personal growth and can reignite a sense of identity and fulfillment beyond the realm of motherhood.
2. Financial Independence
Having always believed that a steady job = stability & security, I realised that in an increasingly unstable world, having more than one income stream is massively empowering. Instead of relying on a fixed salary, you can generate unlimited income over time. While I was side hustling, I made £10k from it in less than a year and with 1 in 6 people claiming to earn upwards of £1k a month from their side business, it can not only alleviate financial stress but also create a massive sense of empowerment as you contribute more to the family’s income and achieve greater financial independence.
3. The Digital Revolution
The advances in tech that we’ve witnessed in recent years, have fundamentally transformed the way we live, work, and do business. The internet has opened up endless possibilities for budding entrepreneurs, allowing them to reach a global audience with minimal upfront costs. Advances in automation also mean that you can run your business from anywhere at any time giving you the freedom and flexibility to run it how and when you want.
4. Low Risk & Affordable
Traditionally, one of the biggest barriers to starting a business was the risk and investment it took. But with today’s tech, the risk is reduced because you no longer need to invest in physical assets like workspace or products or services. Gone are the days of expensive office space or equipment – you can literally start it from your laptop or phone in your living room. It’s also less risky because you’re starting it on the side of your steady paycheck job. This is something I’ve found really empowering and meant that I could decide which clients I wanted to work with, rather than working with everyone out of desperation.
5. Flexibility and Work-Life Balance:
Balancing family responsibilities with a 9-5 can be really tough, but your own business can be tailored to fit around your family’s schedule. You can choose your working hours, work from home, and adjust your workload based on your family’s needs. This flexibility helps you maintain a better work-life balance and be present for your children’s important moments. While building a side business was really hard work, the flexibility it’s provided me since taking it full time means I now take every Friday off to spend with my daughter – something I never would have been able to do in Corporate without taking a pay cut.
6. Making a Difference
If, like my clients and I, you’re driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the world, there really is no better way to achieve that than starting your own business. It gives you the opportunity to solve problems and improve lives, so by aligning your business with your values, you can find so much satisfaction and fulfilment from it.
7. Personal Growth and Learning
If you feel like you’ve lost yourself a bit since becoming a Mum. I know that’s exactly how I felt and how a lot of my clients feel too. So, starting a business is the best way to learn and grow as the person you always were, not just ‘Mummy’. You’ll face challenges, make mistakes, and overcome obstacles and through this process, you’ll develop skills like resilience, problem-solving, leadership, and adaptability, all of which will in turn make you a better parent. So it’s a win-win.
8. Positive Role Modeling
By starting your own business, you can become a positive role model for your children. It teaches them the value of hard work, determination, and pursuing their dreams. It also encourages them to think creatively and shows them that they, too, can strive for their personal goals while balancing various responsibilities. It also opens their eyes to more non-traditional ways of earning an income, something I wish I’d had as a child.
So, to all my fellow Mums who’ve been dreaming about working for themselves, it’s time to unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. I’m living proof that by taking the leap and embracing the challenges, starting a business has the potential to shape your future in unimaginable ways.
Please don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life. You deserve a career that truly lights you up.
And if you’re feeling overwhelmed about HOW to get that business off the ground, I’ve got you covered with my Step by Step Guide to Starting your own Business (without social media).
This article was written by Lauren Leopold one of Careering into Motherhood’s Partner Coaches. Lauren is Side Hustle & Business Coach. Helping you sign your first paying clients without social media, so you can build your business behind the scenes & quit the ratrace for good. To find out more, get in touch via her profile page https://www.careeringintomotherhood.com/coach/lauren-leopold/.
July 1, 2023
