My journey to mompreneur life
I often get asked if I always wanted to be an entrepreneur or had big dreams of building a business…in short, the answer is no. This sometimes has me feeling like an outlier among so many talented and driven female entrepreneurs, so I have to constantly remind myself that I am building something sustainable. My journey into entrepreneurship is more of an evolution that just felt right, but I think it’s important to share!
In 2019, I found myself in a part-time design role and about to be a new mama! I was unsure of where I wanted my career to take me, so when my corporate position asked me to go full-time, I politely declined, ramped up my networking, and had my baby boy, Myles! A few months later, Covid hit just as I was getting back to client work and building Burtch Designs. I was fortunate enough to slowly gain momentum with new businesses and keep a few existing relationships. I haven’t really looked back since – I quickly discovered the work was providing the variety and creativity I had desperately been looking for. And the schedule allowed me to “mom” when I needed or wanted to and to dig into the work when I felt inspired. I love collaborating and connecting with other entrepreneurs and moms. I've met so many amazing women along this journey and have had the chance to support quite a few moms in starting (or rebranding) their business. If you couldn’t already tell from my social media, when you become a client, you get a lifelong cheerleader in addition to a designer!
The balancing act of growing a family (did you see - we’re welcoming baby boy #2 next month!?) can be tricky. I love that my kids will get to see me work and build relationships with my clients, but every now and then I get a “Mom, can you play with me noww!?” as I send a last-minute email or post on Instagram. Some days, Myles will snag an old laptop (it doesn’t turn on anymore) and will announce he needs to “work” or “send an email,” and it makes me laugh – it’s true what they say about your littles being a mirror of your daily habits!
Here are a few things that help keep me connected to both my work and my family;
Prioritization & time management: Each day of the week has designated priorities – days I take discovery calls, days I have open for clients to schedule and days I block out specifically for client work. Setting clear boundaries can help me make the most of being present.
Utilize naps & bedtime: I absolutely take advantage of naps (or, at this point, it’s an earlier bedtime – since Myles has recently boycotted naps!). I’ll pick 1-2 short tasks that don’t require deep concentration or a ton of creativity to achieve in about an hour's time. Once complete, I give myself the chance to to relax – I’m currently watching “The Bear,” and I highly recommend it!
Independent play & creative spaces: Encouraging Myles to spend some time with his playdough or setting up a little craft helps occupy him for short periods of time when I do need to send emails or post & interact on Instagram.
Being a mompreneur is a journey in which love, work, and family intertwine. By implementing these tips, I think those of us walking this path can navigate its challenges and build a successful business that works for us. (Heck, even those who aren’t might benefit from some of these ideas!) I also believe in finding communities with like-minded businesses that are doing some of the same balancing. A few that have been a great resource for my business and my family are Conscious Community, Rooted, Haven Collective, and The Beauty Boost. I encourage you to check them out for yourself!
