Every year since I've started my business, I've created a "word of the year" for myself.
2023: Growth
2024: Strategy
Why those words?
For 2023, it was my first year of business. I knew I had 12 months, 1 calendar year to see if this business would "work." I did whatever I could to grow my business (please note that I did not have any children at the time). Here is some of the commitments I made to myself when growing the business:
- 3-4 networking events monthly (minimum)
- 1-2 coffee meet ups monthly
- 1-2 virtually networking events or meet ups monthly
I was willing to have blood, sweat, and many tears to figure out my business and how to get it started. Having the word "growth" meant that I was willing to grow the business, grow relationships with referral partners, and offer help wherever I could in the grind of it all.
For 2024, since I had 1 full calendar year under my belt and worked out major kinks in my business, it was time to level up to create "strategy" and ultimately systems in my business. With the help of Summer Randall she was able to help me successfully set up Keeper.app. I also hired contractors to help me level up my business so I can continue to grow + expand. Doing this while pregnant was no easy feat, but I just believed in myself, put in the hard work and grit, and made it happen.
What did I learn in 2024?:
- Outsourcing and hiring help is the only way to really continue to grow + expand
- Implementing automation and systems to stay organized is KEY
- Not being afraid to ask for help
Reflecting back on 2024, I grew my business substantially, hired the right people, learned so much about myself and realized that I am so much more capable and empowered than I ever thought I could be. Never be afraid to ask for help.
Springing in 2025, I am a new mom with a baby, learning the world "balance" has been challenging. Financially, my husband and I are not in a place to pay for daycare, so learning to balance my business with a baby has many challenges. Here are some of my learning lessons so far when learning to "balance" it all:
- There is no such thing as work-life balance. I believe in an integrated balance, where as a mompreneur, your days are not into a routine of a 9-5. Babies need you all times and hours of the day. Being an entrepreneur has prepared me to say no two days are the same, but we can make it work and learn to adapt, thrive, and grow in the process
- Having alone time is necessary. Whether you get 10 minutes or 2 hours, having some alone time to yourself can be challenging when a baby, toddler, or child is looking for your attention, but I know I am a better mother when I have some "me" time. No mom guilt. What does "me" time look like? A 45 minute HIIT class, getting my nails done, and dinner with girl friends to name a few examples. What is NOT alone time? Grocery shopping, doctors appointments, and anything deemed "necessary."
- Giving yourself grace. As a new mom, so many of us try to be "right," "have it all together," and any other term you deem as doing it all. You may have a plan for your day, but then anything (and everything) can happen that flips your day upside down. Knowing that there are many days where they're not perfect, but giving yourself grace to say "today didn't go as planned, but tomorrow is a new day."
- Reframing my thoughts. I had major pregnancy anxiety when I was pregnant. I've never held a newborn before, changed a diaper, swaddled a baby, babysat a baby, NONE of it. I was so nervous my life was going to flip upside down for the worse, and I grieved my old life while I was pregnant, knowing that I was ending 1 chapter and beginning a new one. What I learned through my mental health coach, was to reframe my thoughts with more positive ones. The one that stuck? "I'm trying my best, I'm doing my best, and that's all I can do."
- Finding support. I made the conscious choice to move from the NY area to Charleston, SC. Knowing that I wasn't going to have any family or friends that I've established over the years would be challenging. Luckily cell phones exist where FaceTime makes it easier to connect, but there is nothing quite like physical and actual support around you. I am NOT a doctor or a therapist, but joining postpartum support groups, meeting other moms out, and having mom friends is KEY to knowing that you are not alone.
New moms who are "balancing" babies and businesses, it is not easy. It has so many challenges, it is hard to sum up all of them, but just know that you are doing an amazing job and I see you. To the late nights to stay up to work, taking the phone calls while your child is feeding or screaming, we manage to multi-task and figure it out along the way. Whether you are surviving hour by hour or day by day, just know that you truly got this.
