How to build a business as a mom without losing your sanity
From someone who’s in the thick of it—running a business with a 15-month climbing the stairs and a 4-year old who is either talking my ear off (love) or screaming at his brother (not so love).
Let’s be honest: building a business as a mom is not just “a balancing act.” It’s a full-blown cirque du chaos most days. I remember hearing Jenna Kutcher say that “balancing” motherhood and work is near impossible, but blending them can be done.
If you’ve ever tried to send an email with a toddler screaming “MOM LOOK” on repeat, or filmed a brand video during nap time with the white noise machine blaring from your phone, you’re not alone. I’m literally right there with you.
I’m a content creator and creative strategist working part-time from home while raising two little ones and I’m still figuring it out. I try to work two days a week, and then spend the rest of the week fully immersed with my family. Now after a few years of trial, error, and crying literal tears over cold coffee, here’s what’s actually helped me build a business without burning out:
1. TIME BLOCK YOUR LIFE
You’ve probably seen the Pinterest version: colour-coded planners and 6am wakeups. Cute for them.
Here’s what I do instead:
Two focused workdays a week (for me, it’s Mondays + Thursdays)
Short work sprints during nap times (Tuesdays + Wednesdays)
Weekends off, non-negotiable
I know exactly when I can work, so I stop feeling guilty when I can’t.
2. SET MICRO GOALS
A 5-year plan? HA! I need a 5-minute plan. I started to work in weekly themes and it’s not only been super helpful but has helped me keep my creativity alive.
Example: one week I focus on time management, another on behind-the-scenes content, another on content tips.
Then I ask:
→ What’s one Reel I can film?
→ What’s one task I need to finish?
→ What’s one thing I can prep ahead?
One is enough. Truly.
3. CREATE YOUR OWN SYSTEMS
No one is handing you SOPs when you're the boss and the baby wrangler. But a few tools that truly save me:
Toggl for tracking how long things actually take (game changer)
Notion for weekly planning and braindumps on the go
Fraiche Table Meal Plan so I’m not spending hours looking for recipes / figuring out what we’re going to eat
Designated Work Days so I always know when I have time to get things done
4. GIVE IT 15 MINUTES
If I have 15 minutes, I’ll:
Respond to emails or DMs
Tidy the kitchen
Prep one meal (even if it’s just chopping veggies)
Clear my camera roll and organize photos (so I always have space to film content or take photos of my boys)
I don’t try to do everything. I just do something, and for some reason 15-minutes always feels doable for me.
5. ASK FOR HELP (AND ACCEPT IT)
Whether it’s your partner, a daycare day, grandma or Miss. Rachel holding down the fort while you answer an email or film a voiceover - it counts. There is NO AWARD for not accepting help, so you may as well take it when it’s offered.
6. HOLD YOUR BOUNDARIES
In life and in business, boundries are key. As listen, if you’re a people-pleaser like I am, this isn’t an easy task, but it’s necessary.
I don’t take last-minute brand content briefs anymore.
I don’t accept collabs that are under my rates or add clutter to my house.
And I definitely don’t say yes to everything just because I “have the time.”
I’m still working on having boundaries with myself tbh (i.e. actually putting my phone away an hour before I plan to go to bed), but start where you can.
7. GIVE INTO THE MESSY DAYS
Some days feel wildly productive. Others? Not so much. On my never-ending “to-do” list I have “sort out hormones” because I’m positive they directly impact my creative / confident weeks.
I have to remind myself: my kids are happy. My marriage is supportive. My business is growing, even if it’s slow. Blending motherhood and business is amazing and scary and messy and magical and empowering and draining and ALL THE THINGS all at once. The challenges go smoother when we embrace the mess.
Final thought for ya:
If you’re a mom trying to build something while raising tiny humans, you’re doing enough. WE’RE DOING ENOUGH. You don’t need 12-step morning routines or a perfectly aesthetic desk setup. You need clarity, compassion, and coffee. Lots of coffee.
And maybe a corner of the internet (like this one) to remind you: you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just doing a lot.
Thanks for being here,
Kate
