Starting a Business While Pregnant
Have a great idea for a business? Ways you can put them into action.
Yes, You Can Start a Business While Expecting a New Baby
Starting a new business takes a lot of time and energy. So does preparing for a new baby. You might think it’s impossible to do both, but many families are making these transitions simultaneously since the prospect of business ownership can promise increased flexibility and family time, and even better income. If you’re contemplating a startup while planning to welcome a baby, manage your time and resources well so you won’t become overburdened and worn out. Here are five guidelines for new business owners who are also parenting.
Find an excellent childcare provider.
Any parent trusting their child to a provider needs to be sure they are reliable and trustworthy. You want your child to be safe and happy in their care and to know they are honest and dependable. If you’re hiring a childcare provider to assist you during your startup, that person needs to be not only reliable, but exceptional. You may be relying on them for long hours or at short notice. Read reviews and get recommendations to find a provider who is dependable and great at communication, Remember that this is important work, so they deserve to be paid well.
Have set routines and schedules.
Master time management techniques now so when your baby arrives, you already have established routines in place. You can manage your time most effectively if you have schedules and to-do lists prioritizing essential tasks. Scheduling apps help you keep up with all your obligations and send you alerts so you never forget an appointment or miss a deadline. Time management can also involve elements of self-care such as learning to say no and establishing boundaries. But you will need to remain intentional in your activities, keeping your focus and not procrastinating.
Be ready to be flexible. You will need to cultivate flexibility as a complement to organization. If you’re used to being in control over all your circumstances, be aware that when a baby enters your life, this is no longer an option. There will also be elements that are beyond your control and changes you didn’t anticipate. Instead of rigidly trying to force reality to meet your schedule, learn how to tweak your schedule to accommodate the unexpected. Be creative and focus on problem-solving, not negativity.
Create designated spaces for work and for family life.
It will be far easier for you to abide by your (flexible) schedule and maintain routine, if you have well-organized spaces designated both for work and for family. Both work responsibilities and care for your baby are a lot easier if you know where everything is and can easily access it. While healthy boundaries between work and family are necessary, it won’t be possible for you to keep these boundaries absolute, so be prepared with such items as a crib in your office and tech accessibility in the nursery. And don’t forget to babyproof the whole house!
Rely on professionals when it comes to your business startup.
A lot of new business owners try to micromanage every aspect of their venture. This is usually inadvisable at the best of times — and it’s virtually impossible if you’re also tending to a new baby. Consult an accountant to help you with finances and taxes, and outsource when possible. When it’s time to form your business as a legal entity, be aware of the advantages of becoming an LLC (i.e., tax benefits, protection of assets). Consult a reliable formation service to assist you in starting an LLC in MA, so you’re aware of the regulations and not left trying to manage everything on your own or hit with sizable lawyer fees.
Entrepreneurs with families, especially with small children, tend to be more aware of the struggles faced by parents in the workforce. They are, thus, more likely to create a family-friendly workplace and contribute to the development of a sustainable person-centric work culture. So if you’re preparing for a new baby and wondering whether now is a good time to start your business, the answer might just be “yes!”
If you are a parent of a child with disabilities, reach out to the experts at ASK for a consultation.
