You have thought and heard, countless times, that motherhood is a thankless, underpaid job, right? Well, I hate to say it, but so being a business owner. I learned the hard way that starting my own business wasn’t all about coffee dates with girlfriends or a large boost in my income. But, like being a Mom, I just jumped right in, learned every day, and worked hard at being good at it. 10 Reasons Moms make great business owners
So should you.
With no explanation needed for each item on the list, here are ten underestimated reasons why moms make the best business owners.
They are great at uniting people.
Moms have mastered the art of event planning.
Natural leadership instincts.
Amazing negotiators.
Multitaskers – if you can call it that.
Strong problem solvers.
They have the ability to meet urgent deadlines.
They are always asking a lot of questions.
Know how to deliver bad news gently.
Moms understand the importance of planning ahead.
These are just TEN reasons why moms make amazing business owners. This list could have easily been the top 100 reasons but that would defeat the purpose. My goal, for this article, is to help you realize why you will make a great business owner.
Are you able to define your own success? For the longest time, I wasn’t. I am talking years, of feeling that I was not successful. Even though my business was booking 50+ weddings a year, family portraits, commercial work, corporate events… the list goes on and on. I was shooting as often as I wanted, editing and providing product and value to my clients. Every. Single. Day.
Yet, in my head, I was not successful. I could not put my finger on why I felt that way, I was doing what I loved and loved doing it! It wasn’t until I burned out that I realized what it was. I didn’t have anything to measure my success with. I had goals, yes but they were broad, vague and seemed to always be in the distant future.
At my wit’s end, I sat down and decided it was time to define what success meant to me, not to everyone else. I mean, specific goals aside, what EXACTLY did it mean?
So, I did what any reasonable person looking for answers did. I googled it.
What did I find? I learned the definition of success is:
‘the accomplishment of an aim or purpose’
That sure hit me like a hammer! I looked at my monitor and said, out loud, “So setting a goal and accomplishing it is the meaning of success? No, too easy!” I had to dig deep to define my version of success. Getting it in my head that it is not what my family and friends think or even my industry collogues or leaders think, but MY definition of success. It was vital that I stopped comparing myself to others in the industry and realize their success has no bearing on my own.
I took a few days to reflect and truly work out precisely what it is I needed to feel fulfilled and know what success meant to me. I realized I wanted to spend as much time with my family as possible. As well as continue to build my businesses and inspiring other women, like me, to follow their path. I needed to know that I was making a positive impact on the business world and genuinely making a difference. Finally, I wanted to be able to go to Starbucks or out for dinner whenever I felt like it without needing to see if I could afford it and have a Broadway Across Canada subscription. Very clear, very specific and very attainable.
So now, I work from home running two businesses, I help hundreds of women run their businesses and have the freedom to enjoy that latte whenever I want AND I have my subscription! Les Misérables in July! BAM!
For me, that’s success. For others, maybe not.
I guess what I am trying to say is, I changed my perspective on success and you can too. By no longer viewing what was perceived as success through the “glazed over” look of thinking I needed more, I was able to dig deep within myself and figure out what success meant for me. Which made it that much easier to achieve.
To help you out, if you haven’t already, download the free 2018 goal setting workbook, define your success, set and accomplish your goals!
Now I’d love to hear from you. How will you define success for yourself? Let me know below in the comments or visit V-Net and share with a community of women in business, like you.
As Marie Forleo says “The world needs that special gift that only you have.” but the problem is that 9 out of 10 times, we don’t see it. How many times has someone said something to you like,“Wow, that is incredible!” and you’ve replied with something along the lines of “No, no. It was nothing. Really, anyone could have done it.” Yeah, me too.
That is why today I am going to ask you to step back and try and see yourself from other people’s perspectives. It is time to acknowledge that you are fascinating, talented, intelligent, wonderful and so much more. Let’s open your eyes and see that special gift that Marie keeps talking about!
Download the free workbook, it was designed to help you discover your gifts by having you answer some simple questions and getting feedback from those around you.
Hopefully, it will help provide you clarity on your gifts and help you see just how amazing you truly are.
It is time to actually live the life you have always dreamed of. Make 2018 the year you are going to achieve incredible things. Over the next year, you are going on an epic journey. You will be growing your business and will accomplish something incredible by creating a life you love.
All of this will not happen overnight, it won’t be by accident, and it will not be handed to you on a silver platter. It will happen because you will make it happen, with intention.
All you need to do is show up, work hard, and never give up.
About a that “hard work” part I mentioned, I am here to help, we will do this together! So, let’s get started!
First, be clear about what you want to achieve in 2018 – and stand by it! Everything you want to accomplish is going to need a plan, which is why you are going to make a plan to make it happen. It isn’t easy achieving your goals but with focus, you can set yourself up and get on the path to success.
Download the 2018 Goal-Setting & Planning workbook at start your year off with intention. No sign up required, it is totally free to download! As I said above, the only thing that will get you to where you want to be you. So it is time to make a plan for how you are going to be the best version of yourself for 2018.
Be sure to leave a comment and share your business goals for 2018!
[Tweet “Success is not an accident and I know that you are going to achieve the incredible in 2018.”]
“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” ~ Will Smith
Just kidding – That quote should be credited to the brilliant Jack Canfield.
Will Smith is credited for this quote all over the internet because of this amazing motivational video. He actually said, “On the other side of maximum fear are all of the best things in life.” Which is a pretty good quote in itself! The video is fun, witty and inspiring. Be sure to take a couple minutes to watch!
The internet is full of misquotes, what is your favourite?
Have you ever wondered “Should I start my own business?” I am thinking that is a solid yes, or you would not be reading this. I hummed and hawed about it for years, the only regret I, eventually, had was that I did not start sooner. Starting Your Own Business
There are a lot of things you need to consider before you start your own business but that is not what this article is about. Today, I am only going to talk about the reasons why you should.
I am going to fill you full of “the grass is greener” syndrome. Don’t get me wrong, there are just as many perks to being an employee as there are being your own boss. The same goes for the downsides, there are plenty to go around on both sides of the fence. However; not everyone was born to be an employee. Some of us were meant to be leaders, creators, and entrepreneurs.
So here is my happy little list of why I say, Yes, it is a good idea to start your own business.
Freedom
The biggest reason, I feel, one should start their own business is freedom. When you are your own boss you have a lot more freedom. Yes, there will be customers, regulators and possibly investors telling you what and how to do things – but – you have the freedom to make your own decisions. You can even make the decision to not listen to those listed and do your own thing. The choice is yours, just remember so are the results.
You will have the freedom to determine your own work hours. Of course, within reason. You may not get away with sleeping until noon every day and only be available to customers only between the hours of midnight and 3 am – but – you will be able to plan your days according to your own personal schedule. You can schedule your days so you can pick up your kids from school, schedule any appointments whenever you want, or even go grocery shopping in the middle of an afternoon on a Tuesday. (It’s the little things in life, right?)
Being your own boss also gives you the freedom to be your creative self! Every person should strive for this, and when you are calling the shots you are able to do this by building on your own ideas as opposed to implementing them into someone else’s business success.
Challenges
As a business owner, every day will be full of new challenges. You will constantly be learning, creating, problem-solving and more. You will never say that your work is the “same old boring routine, day in and day out” again. I promise you that.
Job Security
Sounds a little wonky, I know but believe it, there is job security in owning your own business. How is this possible? You ask – well, as long as you have a business, you will have a job…
Financial Opportunity
Not trying to blow any smoke where it doesn’t belong but when you own your own business the financial opportunities are endless. Whereas an employee, your salary will most likely be capped at some point in your career.
There you have it! A few key reasons why I believe starting your business is a good idea. I am not saying it is the easy path to take but for some of us – it truly is the right path.
If you have no idea where to start, check out The Virtual Studio’s Idea to Income Group Coaching Program! In this 90-Day Program, I walk you through big-picture dreaming and planning by helping you create a business plan, define your purpose, set goals and build a strategy.
Accountability Calls – 30 minute “working” room sessions. You can pick and choose which ones you want to join, just a few or all! (total value of $120/month) (These are NOT social or coaching sessions – we hop on, we focus on our business, we work together-quietly.)
Ask Me Anything Sessions – Monthly 1-hour AMA group session, inside a Library Room, that you can ask Joelene anything you want. During AMA sessions, I will do my best to answer all questions, but research may be needed and patience is appreciated! (Group coaching value $150/ month)
A goal-setting session on the last Friday of each month to review successes and declare intentions for the next month. There is also an accountability goal-setting thread. (Group coaching value $150/ month)
Access to the Studio Library Resources
This group is capped to allow for intimacy, networking and to ensure member success.
Did you hear? Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaged! (Of course, you did. Unless you live under a rock or have successfully managed to avoid any and ALL forms of media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TV, radio, newspapers, or haven’t talked to another human in the last week.)
Before it was announced that she would be the worlds newest member of the Royal family, Meghan Markle was already an inspiration to women everywhere.
With America soon being able to lay claim to its very own member of the British royal family, it’s only natural that people are trying to absorb in as much information about Miss Markle’s life as possible. She is bound to be one of the most Googled women in the past year, however; I want to focus on one particular moment from her past that is making the rounds on social media. Her speech at U.N. Women’s 2015 conference.
This simple 9-10 minute speech and her story of how her actions made such an impact are truly inspirational.
I encourage you to watch this over and over again, I have, and use her words as inspiration for you to make an impact. For you to follow your gut, and be the change you wish to see in the world.
Oh, and I have to add, OMG she is marrying a real-life Prince! Who says you can’t be a feminist and still have your very own Prince Charming?
Accountability Calls – 30 minute “working” room sessions. You can pick and choose which ones you want to join, just a few or all! (total value of $120/month) (These are NOT social or coaching sessions – we hop on, we focus on our business, we work together-quietly.)
Ask Me Anything Sessions – Monthly 1-hour AMA group session, inside a Library Room, that you can ask Joelene anything you want. During AMA sessions, I will do my best to answer all questions, but research may be needed and patience is appreciated! (Group coaching value $150/ month)
A goal-setting session on the last Friday of each month to review successes and declare intentions for the next month. There is also an accountability goal-setting thread. (Group coaching value $150/ month)
Access to the Studio Library Resources
This group is capped to allow for intimacy, networking and to ensure member success.
Have you ever put any thought into how you want to be remembered? I never did, not until I read about the amazing Sally Ride and her thoughts on the topic. This inspiring quote is really something that will stick with you.
I would like to be remembered as someone who was not afraid to do what she wanted to do, and as someone who took risks along the way in order to achieve her goals.
