By: Leslie Haywood
An entrepreneurial women and mother has to perform tasks a little differently than the typical businessman. In spite of my unusual business experiences, I have to say, I love being a Mommy Entrepreneur!
One morning, my two and four-year-old daughters wants to bring their stuffed animals in the car, cutely named Baby and Froggy, because I needed to care for my sister's children at her home in the afternoon. This would make nap time in a different bed easier on all of us.
Heading to preschool, they strapped Baby and Froggy in their car seats. Then I was off to a business meeting with a photographer I was considering to do product shots for my packaging, website, and advertising materials. The goal of the meeting was to nail down a firm price for the project and give my list of expectations. Upon opening my briefcase at the meeting, I had to laugh. The previous week, inspirations for the product shots hit me and I only had Winnie the Pooh coloring book pages to write my thoughts. I was trying my very best to drive a hard, fair bargain while referring to my half- colored Winnie the Pooh notes. Personally, I believe no one can ever accuse me of having my priorities mixed up! First and foremost, I am a mom. I offered no excuses or an explanation to the photographer. In spite of my Winnie page, we did come to a successful mutual agreement.
As I walked to the vehicle, feeling positive about my meeting and proud of how professional I could be with Winnie in tow, I went to throw my brief case in the backseat only to find Baby and Froggy strapped in safely. As an entrepreneurial mom, I play various roles, from president to accountant to chief diaper changer. The line between my roles may blur, but the one job that remains crystal clear is being a great mommy.
Here is the Short List of Do’s and Don’ts for the Mommy Entrepreneur:
DO roll with the punches: This is a necessity for both entrepreneurs and mothers. As mothers, we master this skill with our first child; we learn to expect the unexpected. We can’t predict what night our newborn will sleep through the night, and when they will be up 10 times. We can’t predict from one meal to the next when our 4 year old will decide she DOES like green beans. Our businesses are a lot like our children. Expect the unexpected from them and just roll with it!
Don’t ever say never, because you will: Just when you think “Oh I’d NEVER show up to a business meeting with a formula stain” or “I’d NEVER lock myself in the bathroom to take a business call while leaving the inmates to run the asylum” You will. How do I know you will? Because I’m a mom.
Don’t get your pantyhose in a wad over things you can’t control: There are moments in your business when it feels like the world is coming tumbling down. Your biggest client just left, your container of goods is going to be 2 weeks late, your deadline is approaching and there aren’t enough hours in the day to get it finished. As I tell my girls - STOP, BREATH, THINK. Panic is our worst enemy and the blocker of clarity. As moms, when an emergency situation happens with our children, we have developed this unique ability to instantly turn into SUPER MOM! Bumped head-we are right there with the kisses, fever of 104-the ibuprofen is in and we’ve got the doctor on the phone. This is no different. Channel your super mommy instincts and cat like reflexes to your company and you will come out fine just fine.
The biggest DON’T of all… DON’T apologize for who you are or the path you have chosen. Just because we have decided to own our own companies doesn’t mean we put being a mom second. Professionalism in business is paramount, but being a mommy trumps all! And if that means my document is written on Winnie the Pooh, so be it!
Leslie Haywood is Founder and President of Charmed Life Products and inventor of Grill Charms™. For more information about Leslie, her company or her product, please visit http://www.grillcharms.com/
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