{"id":47049,"date":"2023-10-20T15:52:13","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/startupsmart.test\/2023\/10\/20\/five-ways-mumpreneurs-can-juggle-business-with-family-life-startupsmart\/"},"modified":"2023-10-20T15:52:13","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:52:13","slug":"five-ways-mumpreneurs-can-juggle-business-with-family-life-startupsmart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.startupsmart.com.au\/uncategorized\/five-ways-mumpreneurs-can-juggle-business-with-family-life-startupsmart\/","title":{"rendered":"Five ways mumpreneurs can juggle business with family life – StartupSmart"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"feature-working-mum-thumb\"<\/div>\n

\"feature-working-mum-thumb\"Although some areas of Australia\u2019s economy look worryingly sluggish, there is an area that is clearly booming, and it has nothing to do with mining.<\/p>\n

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Home-based businesses are now the fastest growing small business sector, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It\u2019s a trend that is being driven by an increasing desire for women to go it alone.<\/p>\n

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Indeed, Bankwest research from last year showed that women are starting-up businesses at twice the rate of men<\/a>, while a separate study by Kimberly-Clark suggests that seven in 10 Aussie women have considered starting a business since becoming a mother.<\/p>\n

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While the falling cost of technology and flexible working arrangements make it easier than ever for mumpreneurs to start-up, many still face a severe challenge in juggling work and family.<\/p>\n

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\u201cRunning an SME is intense sometimes, as is family – often at the same time,\u201d says Polly McGee, StartupSmart<\/i> blogger, academic and all-round mumpreneur expert.<\/p>\n

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\u201cEspecially in start-up phase, the hours are long and hard. So friends, family and fools can invest in [physical and emotional] support rather than (or as well as) finance to get mumpreneurs over the line.\u201d<\/p>\n

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So, if you\u2019re looking to combine work with a young family, or are doing so but struggling, how can you strike the ideal balance? We speak to some of Australia\u2019s busiest mumpreneurs to get five top tips.<\/p>\n

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1. Have a separate physical space<\/h3>\n

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It may sound like an obvious flaw, but many women fail to set aside a dedicated space in the house for their business.<\/p>\n

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While moving around the house all day may feel like you are tackling everything at once, it\u2019s often to the detriment of your business. You need an area where you can focus solely on your start-up, where your family are well aware that you are not to be disturbed.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe kids are used to me working from, home, but they will still come charging in through the door when I\u2019m on a client call,\u201d says Natasha Hawker, founder of HR consultancy Employee Matters.<\/p>\n

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\u201cYou want to give the perception of being professional, so it\u2019s important that you have a space where you aren\u2019t being constantly interrupted.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Whether it\u2019s a study, spare bedroom or garage, create an environment where there\u2019s a clear demarcation between work and family life.<\/p>\n

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2. Set clear boundaries \u2013 and don\u2019t break them<\/h3>\n

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While your routine will depend on factors such as whether your children are at school or not and the level of help your partner can provide, it\u2019s essential that you set clear boundaries during your work day.<\/p>\n

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Mandi Gunsberger, founder of Babyology.com.au, divides her day up to encompass both work and family life.<\/p>\n

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\u201cMy children are four and five years-old,\u201d she says. \u201cI will get up at 6am, work until I take them to school and then until they need to come home.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019ve always got my iPhone on me for calls and emails, but I put it away between 4pm and 7pm, when I\u2019m with the children again. I then work from 7pm onwards, until about 11pm.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe most challenging thing is having any time left over. People think I go to the gym or for a walk all the time, but I can\u2019t. I know women who do from 8am to 6pm every week and they would find my day irritating, but I enjoy the mix.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Set a regular routine that incorporates work and family life and stick to it. Clients and suppliers are increasingly accepting of non-traditional work hours, so don\u2019t be afraid to sacrifice some time during the day, as long as you\u2019re contactable.<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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