single mum entrepreneurs - you can do it!

As a single mum for many years, I often find myself stretched for time, energy and money. However, it has made me more resourceful and creative when it comes to exploring business opportunities that will not interfere with being a mum. I’m a firm believer that single mums, in particular, should see entrepreneurship as a road to travel.  I know there are many reasons why a single mum would say “When would I find the time?” or “Who’s going to watch my child while I work?” or “I don’t have the extra money to invest in a business.” These are all things that have crossed my mind too.  That’s when I reached out early in my career to other entrepreneurs, successful business leaders and advisors to seek answers.  Here are some tips that I’ve picked up along the way as single mumpreneur.

Start Small. 
Whatever your business idea, start small. I currently set aside two hours each day to work on my new business ideas. When I first began, I did the two hours in one sitting.  Now I spend one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon. Whatever time you set aside, treat it like office hours and be consistent.

Show Me The Money. 
Whatever you are working on, you should have a tangible amount of money you are working towards. One of the primary motivators for many single mumpreneurs is increasing income, so make sure your business is giving you the return you need.

Find Your Village. 
If you don’t have a co-parent, family or friends who can help with childcare, visit your local college or church. It’s a great place to find affordable and qualified sitters. Contact the education department and post a flyer in search of a student who can watch the kids while you work on projects or conduct meetings with clients.  Don’t forget, there’s nothing wrong with calling a sitter to watch the kids while you sleep.

Put Yourself First (even for an hour). 
Single parenting often means that you are taking care of everyone but yourself. There have been times where I didn’t realize until after I had cleaned the kitchen that I didn’t eat breakfast or dinner.  Working on my business allows me to focus on me (yes, me!) and my goals without feeling selfish.

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