13 May 5 Tips for Mompreneurs, Poppreneurs and Kidpreneurs
(Who makes up these words?)
If you’re a single parent “homepreneur” or even two busy parents running a small business, you know how it can be with kids at times. Sometimes it seems impossible to be productive and focused when you have kids running around.
Are you with me on this?
I’m a mother of two. Whether you’re running a business from home or going into an office, being a parent has its responsibilities, and it can overrule your plans.
There are a few strategies I’ve used for many years to help relieve the challenges.
1. Work in the Early Hours or Very Late Hours
You need to charge up your internal productivity clock! Before the kids wake up and after the kids have gone to bed can be incredibly valuable hours.
I’m ready around 5:30 every morning to make calls back east where it’s 8:30. It’s exhilarating to start my day in a highly productive mode. After the kids bedtime I might do research, make plans, strategize, or focus on what needs to be done the next day. That’s how I built my multimillion dollar portfolio of investments and companies. (Got energy?)
2. Involve Your Kids in Small Business Tasks
Have your kids pack boxes of product, adhere labels, or file. Pay them, of course, and try to make it fun for them. If you have repetitive tasks they can handle, chances are your kids will actually do it.
There are so many benefits to involving your kids in your business! It gives them something to do so they’re not distracting you. It also gives them more of a sense of what you do and another dimension of connection with you.
Best of all, it instills in them the financial benefits of being responsible and productive! They don’t teach that stuff in schools, you know!
3. Do Urgent Work First and Expect “Emergencies”
There are going to be days when you’re just not going to get anything done. You can’t always plan for or expect those days. It’s bound to happen. You’ll have to take unexpected breaks sometimes. Plan for it as best as you can and just take it as part of the job.
Do your most urgent work first. Don’t wait until you have just 24 hours left to do “whatever.” Surprises can pop up at any time.
4. Plan For Quality Kids’ Time
Don’t just plan your time away from your kids – put story time or play time into your schedule. When you’re with your kids, put work out of your mind and be with them 100%. They need you; and even if they don’t get to be with you all day, they want you to be really there when it’s time. That’s what I call life balance. Being there, wherever “there” is, 100%.
5. Get Life Support
Why clean your house yourself? Why run all those errands yourself? Hiring someone for a few hours a week can help immensely in freeing up your time.
What’s your time worth? $20 per hour? $50? $100? $500? If you get someone to come in just ten hours a week, at $10 per hour, for $100 you get ten hours of your time back to bring in your cash.
What would that be worth to you?
Your turn!
Talk to me. Leave a comment below and tell me what’s on your mind?
Andrew J. Gay
Posted at 16:01h, 13 MayInvolving your kids in your Entrepreneurial-ism not only allows you to get business done and spend time with them, but also it teaches the kids so much about business, work ethic, as well as the importance of including those you want to be closest to. Good stuff! Of course, that doesn’t mean to neglect #4, this is the “why” behind what I do, it’s all for them and the time we can spend together.
Anonymous
Posted at 16:58h, 13 MayTrue, true!
Rick Cooper
Posted at 16:23h, 13 MayI love your suggestion of working early in the morning Loral. I’ve found that the best time for me to write is first thing in the morning. I’m most creative and it’s easier to focus without a dozen other things to do.
Anonymous
Posted at 16:59h, 13 MayMmm. Yes, quiet time!
deb
Posted at 16:45h, 13 MayHi Loral,
My kid is grown now but there were plenty of times through the years that my plans were waylaid because of unexpected circumstances involving her!
I’ve always been a morning person, too, getting started early and accomplishing the most important thing first. Excellent advice that I personally know works well.
Wendell Willat
Posted at 16:55h, 13 MayThis is the type of behavior modeling that’s so important. No doubt that I’m an entrepreneur today due to the hours spent at my dad’s company when I was lucky enough to go to work with him. He made it fun and ‘cool’ to run a business.
Anonymous
Posted at 16:57h, 13 MayLove that!
Wendell Willat
Posted at 17:04h, 13 MayThanks @Loral… #inspired by all you’re doing/giving right now.
Katherine
Posted at 17:14h, 13 MayWorked for my dad in his business too… Started in the back of the plant at 13 and at 15 or 16 he sent me to the front to work the phones and learn about sales/office support. Now I have my own business and I know without a doubt it is because of his example and encouragement. I have always loved the entrepreneurial spirit I saw in my dad.
Anonymous
Posted at 15:35h, 16 MayMmm. Great story, Katherine. Encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit in kids is so important. Your dad did good!
Katherine
Posted at 17:14h, 13 MayWorked for my dad in his business too… Started in the back of the plant at 13 and at 15 or 16 he sent me to the front to work the phones and learn about sales/office support. Now I have my own business and I know without a doubt it is because of his example and encouragement. I have always loved the entrepreneurial spirit I saw in my dad.
Sandra McFadin
Posted at 17:16h, 13 MayWhen my son was young he loved to help with my work projects and he liked earning money for this assistance as well. At a certain point he was the one that initiated conversation about how he could assist in “our” next project. This was great quality time, and you’re right, something that is not taught in school! Great ideas and reminders Loral, thanks a lot.
Elena Calvillo
Posted at 18:08h, 13 MayLOVE, LOVE, LOVE the part about involving your kids! I loved when I was able to go to work with my mom or dad, made me feel very important. In fact, when i was in high school, I worked a few hours after school at my dad’s job as well, so he was able to fit in that all important quality time when we drove home together after work. Whether you realize it or not as a parent, that 20 minute or hour drive home are great moments of time you get to share with your kids, it definitely was for me! Be sure to utilize every second you have with your children.
Loral, you are proof that there are NO EXCUSES 🙂
Anonymous
Posted at 15:33h, 16 MayLove your story, Elena. Thanks for sharing it.
One Avon Diva
Posted at 18:29h, 13 MayThank you. I have just about had it with people telling me that I’m a stay at home mom and that I need to live up to that role. I’ve had a friend actually tell me that if I need money I should get a job instead of working my business. I’ve started an MLM business (Avon) and I have a desire to generate income. Just because I’m a stay at home mom doesn’t mean I can’t run a business. I’ve been working nights after the children are asleep and I’ve been making connections. Next goal: #support team
Anonymous
Posted at 15:32h, 16 MayNaysayers! Don’t listen to them. Building your business is definitely the way to go.
J.O.B. – just say no!
Lyndastarwriter
Posted at 15:29h, 14 MayThanks, Loral.
Rebekah
Posted at 21:56h, 16 MayMost important take away? You can still be a great mom and entrepreneur! Involving my child in my business life has not only been fun but gives me an opportunity to share great experiences with him
Michelle and Rob
Posted at 11:25h, 26 MayMy husband and I are working on trying to start our business many nights after the kids go to bed. Between 6 activites for the kids, 2 fulltime working parents (1 a teacher who works about 80 hrs/wk), and sanity somewhere – were trying to follow your program to get us out of this complete rat race. We’ve gone through your module 1 real estate class – trying to figure out our exit strategies now. We talk to the kids about what we are doing and my 11 year old wants to start a mowing business this summer. My husband, who’s the teacher, is completely burnt out teaching and quitting his job to focus on our cash machines and real estate! And involving our children in this is so important. Ready to get that cash flowing – we’ll see you in CA on june 16th at the workshop!
Andrea Lucas
Posted at 16:47h, 29 SeptemberThe internet has really helped mothers find time to make some money. Thanks for the tips.