How to Navigate Entrepreneurship and Parenthood as a Beginner at Each
Guest article written by: Jenna Sherman from parent-leaders.com
So you have two big events in the near future: having a baby and opening a business. Each of these alone is an exciting opportunity to change your life. Together, they guarantee that your world will never be the same. You’re about to begin a journey that will take many amazing twists and turns. If you’re looking for ways to keep these as few and far in between as possible, the following are a few quick tips that might help.
Take a break before you begin
It might sound counterproductive to take a break before you take your first steps down the self-employment/parenthood path, but it makes sense if you think about it. Consider a babymoon, or choose to take a two-week break before starting a new job. Plan to take a short vacation to help you start your new life with a clear head.
Learn to rely on friends and family
Your friends and family are one of your greatest assets when it comes to taking care of the new baby and freeing you up to focus on work. If you’re concerned about the virus, KidsHealth notes that most babies and toddlers can be kept safe by physical distancing, handwashing, and having adults wear a mask when around a little one. Remember, your family doesn’t have to babysit — they can do other things, such as clean the house and run errands, that don’t put your new baby at risk.
It’s okay to outsource
Just as you can rely on friends and family, you can also turn to people to help you in the early days of your business. But instead of going through the expense of hiring a full-time team member, it might make sense to outsource some aspects of your operation to a freelancer. Toggl Hire explains that this involves knowing exactly what you need, deciding how much you’re willing to pay, and then networking and looking at hiring platforms to find the right people.
Making your business legal
Turning your business into a legal entity (think LLC) is a smart move as a startup. Not only does this process help you save on your taxes, but you also have a considerable amount of management and operational flexibility as you expand. But this can be a somewhat of an overwhelming process so it is best to consult with an attorney to guide you on your entrepreneurship journey. At Santos Legal Group they handle business formation and contracts.
Know your priorities
Your obvious first priority is the health and well-being of your baby. But next is your own mental and physical health. Make sure that you’re taking time to relax, rest, and nurture your relationship with your spouse or partner. This might mean supplementing your baby’s nursing habits with formula, ideally one with a probiotic, so that you can have a night out and engage in adult socialization.
Gadgets and gear are a mom’s best friend
When you’re trying to work and take care of a new baby, technology is your very best friend. Make sure to stock up on things that make childcare easier. A robot vacuum, home intercom system, or even a baby monitor, the latter of which Kids In The House explains are not difficult to install. As your baby gets a bit older, you can also plan to keep a bassinet, play yard, and quiet toys in your office. Perhaps most importantly for peace of mind is making your home safe for the infant-to-inquisitive-toddler crowd.
There are virtually endless new challenges and benefits of having a baby and starting a business at the same time. But regardless of which hurdles you cross, the labor of love is well worth the effort. Don’t be afraid to take the reins of your own future and walk in both worlds on your own terms. The above tips can help but, ultimately, remember that experience is the best teacher. You may not always feel accomplished in either arena, but trust your instinct and know that you’re going to be just fine in both.
The KayaDejure blog covers all things lifestyle, travel, yoga, and, of course, law.