Motherhood and running a business can mix!

The last few weeks have been busy in the lead up to the launch of my new business, Tea for She. Running my own business is something that I’ve wanted to do for a while, but it took me a long time to figure out what I actually wanted that business to be. 

My dream wasn’t about becoming a millionaire (as nice as that would be!). It was about creating a brand that I was passionate about. I wanted my brand to have a cause and motivation that extended beyond financial profit.

To me, Tea for She is just that. It’s a brand run by a woman, for women. It’s focused on self-care and self-worth. It envisions a world where all woman feels treasured and nurtured, not just by other women, but by everyone.

It’s absolutely not my intention to say that men should not be treated the same way. They should. It’s just that Tea for She isn’t just focused on tea. It’s also driven by a passion to tackle some of the issues that affect the emotional and physical wellbeing of women specifically. This includes challenges that stem from motherhood.  
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The biggest hurdle for me in actually launching my business was fear about what impact it would have on my role as a mother. I was afraid that doing something for me would somehow happen at Henry’s expense. I was afraid that I’d fail and that the emotional impact would have flow on effects to my family. I was afraid that it wouldn’t be logistically possible to run a business while having Henry at home full-time with me – that customers, especially wholesale customers, wouldn’t be confident in my ability to manage both. These fears are very real and they’re not ones I’ve overcome…yet!

​I’ve spoken with other mothers who share, or have shared, the same fears and self-doubt. It’s not ability, a well thought out business plan or motivation that they lack. It’s confidence.

When you have kids, you have to think about how your work life will affect your children. That goes for mothers and fathers. Long hours, shift work, fly in fly out and frequent domestic/overseas travel, for example, are all factors that need to be considered. If I told every mother who wanted to start a business to just go for it, I’d be crazy, because it’s not the right fit for everyone. Statistics show that something like 9 out of 10 small businesses fail within the first 2 years - but that’s got nothing to do with whether you’re a mother, a father or childless.  

However, if you’re a mother and it’s guilt and fear that’s holding you back, you need to let go of it and surge forward. It’s okay to be a mother and a business woman – more than okay in fact!

Don’t think, like I did, than you’ll be less of a mother if you run your own business. Think of what you’ll be more of if you do.

A good friend of mine doesn’t know this, but she played a significant role in getting me to launch my own business. She launched her own last year and our kids are only a day apart. I was inspired by her ability to juggle. I was inspired by her drive. What encouraged me the most was that her brand is also not just focused on profit – it’s about raising girls to be strong, loving, imaginative, confident and fearless. It’s about being a role model for your child but also taking the time to see the world through their eyes – all the whimsy and the wonder. Hop on over and check out Holly’s gorgeous products at www.darlingsofaugust.com.au or follow her on Instagram @darlingsofaugust. This plug was not sponsored by the way – just fuelled by love!

If you’re a mum that runs your own business, bear in mind that you have the power to support and encourage other mums too. Utilise that power when you can, and remember that just a little can go a very long way!

Have a great weekend all,

Beth x

If you like the blog, why not follow me on Instagram @mum_volition and @tea_for_she