As a parent, you know what it’s like to welcome a new baby into your life.
And I’m here to tell you that starting a business is like having a baby.
You will love watching it grow, it’s going to take a ton of your time and energy, and it can cost you a lot of money, but it can also be super rewarding.
So don’t let all the little details stop you from making that big move. Here are some tips for new parents who want to become business owners, courtesy of Major League Mommy.
*Post may contain affiliate links. Full disclosure can be viewed here.
If there’s a pregnant or nursing mom in the house, you can discuss business while pregnant or nursing. Just make sure mom’s comfortable first.
Natural breathable fibers and the wedding of style and function are key. Whether or not mom’s the CEO of this budding company, when it comes to her job function,she’s in charge and can get the job done with garments that are versatile and professional.
The right mix-and-match separates allow her to tend to all of her obligations in comfort, both with her little one and with her growing business.
Look for grants and loans
So “talking business” means talking about money. This is not easy or natural for all couples, especially with the stress of a new baby thrown into the mix, but that’s what business is, right?
These days, there are several funding options for small business owners who are just starting out, especially women and individuals of color.
Once you have a business plan written out–including your structure, plans for employees, and market research–then it’s time to search for grant and loan opportunities. Before you begin applying, do some research because time spent applying for something not really suited to the plan could be time wasted.
Find some helpful tools
Maybe the easiest crossover between a new parent and a new business owner is the socials. Yes, you’ve been posting pics a lot because of the baby. And you’ll do the same when it’s time to debut the new business.
Make sure your posts stand out with free-to-use online tools like Canva.
Design posts that stand out with icons, logos, personalized fonts, and other customizable elements. Collaborate with others online and share with your audience.
With a uniform presentation, your posts will look both professional and unique.
Now let’s talk apps and a few other helpful resources.
As a matter of fact, if you’re an accountant yourself handling the finances for your new business, you may want to consider membership programs like accountancy membership organisations uk so you can have access to professional knowledge hubs and other resources.
There are also many apps and platforms out there that allow you to communicate with your employees, freelancers, and customers from anywhere, while payment services help keep financial data secure and easy to manage.
If you will be starting a home healthcare business, for example, you will need reliable home care management software to help streamline your business processes. This is the most effective way to keep track of all your clients and employees’ information and make important documentation more accessible to those who need it.
Lastly, you can utilize a free website builder to create an inexpensive site for your business. You can also take advantage of website templates to set up a beautiful website in less time for (a lot) less money.
Consider the Business Processes You Can Use in Your Parenting
Once you’ve been running the business for a little while, you’ll start to bring that business acumen home.
There are plenty of apps to help with the business side of your life, and a few that bring business tools into the home.
The Sprout Baby app is basically a business scheduler for your baby: track milestones, keep up with doctor’s appointments, or socialize with other parents who can give advice brewed by experience.
Look for support
As a parent and as a small business owner, there will be days when you just can’t do everything yourself. That’s why it’s so important to look for support and assistance from fellow parents and entrepreneurs, so networking is crucial.
We focus so much on online social interaction, but should also reach out to other local business owners, friends who live nearby, and neighbors. Seek out people who can act as mentors as the business grows.
The accountancy membership organization I mentioned earlier is a great example of how you can network with others in your field (particularly if you are an accountant). But there are similar membership programs and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs in various industries all over the world.
Network the family side of things too. If you connect with other busy parents, you can swap babysitting duties or rideshares.
Growing a business while caring for a baby takes a lot of energy. Don’t let the stress affect you and the baby.
Yes, the work needs to get done, but take breaks, get outdoors, and set up a baby-friendly space in the office in order to be able to do it all. Because there is no time better than now to start a new business.
