Want To Be A Present Mom But Your Job Is Getting In The Way?

Imagine this - you have two small children, a full-time job you love, but it's intense. There are a lot of early mornings, late nights, and missed moments with your kids. Then you're lucky enough to have your boss let you go part time. You may make less money, but it's relatively flexible, you have more time to be the present mom and wife you want to be, and things are going pretty well. Then one
day all of that changes. Your company is no longer going to offer part-time, flexible positions. You have the option to either work full time or say good bye to the career you have built for the past 23 years.

That's exactly what happened to Christy Kelly and what happens to many women once they have children. She had worked full time in the dental field and had recently moved to part time, which apart from the lower pay had been wonderful for her and her family. Luckily for Christy, she had her eyes open to other opportunities and had started a Plan B that soon became her Plan A. So she chose to embrace entrepreneurship and leave her corporate job, and has not looked back.

Like many moms, Christy had never considered entrepreneurship but when she learned about her business and found out she did not have to do parties, she was sold. The timing was right, she was looking for something that could give her part-time flexible hours and make substantial money, so she hopped on board. She loved that she didn't have to carry inventory and that she had an incredible support system teaching her what to do and supporting and inspiring her as well.

Being an entrepreneur has its challenges and benefits just like anything, but Christy is so glad to have

the flexibility to be with her sons. When she was working full time, the boys could not be involved in the activities that they and she wanted - her full-time work schedule simply did not allow it. She no longer has those missed moments with her sons and with the family. The other huge benefit for her is that she now feels like she has a bigger purpose in life and is helping more people. And her kids are seeing this as well and learning from her entrepreneurial journey.

As great as the entrepreneurial benefits can be, there are downsides as well. Maintaining a positive mindset and not letting our fears hold us back can be extremely hard when you have your own business as Christy notes. Another challenge, ironically stems from the complete flexibility - the necessity to maintain a business schedule and routine. When you're your own boss, it's all on you so it's important to get up every day and report to work, whether or not you're in your pjs.

As Christy says, being an entrepreneur is so fun and powerful. You have the opportunity to create your own future! To see the whole short and impactful interview with Christy, click here.

Comments

Hey, Mom! Has Anyone Told You You're Doing A Great Job?

I was recently traveling alone with my three kids, and since they're tween/teens, this does not seem like such a Herculean effort as it did a few years ago. As we were exiting the shuttle from the rental car place to the airport, a guy looked at me and said "Hey, Mom! Has anyone told you lately you're doing a great job?" My face lit up, I felt a huge glow inside and thanked him profusely. He may as well have told me I had won the lottery.😁 This got me to thinking, why was this such a big deal? Probably for the one truth that most moms I know live. We think we suck at this parenting thing every single day. We beat ourselves up for every little thing. We read social media and play the compare game. We are not enough insert whatever crapola thing comes to our mind or is hot in the media at any given moment. And here's what the truth looks like. Most of us are doing a pretty amazing job. Our kids are loved, fed, clothed and housed. They feel secure enough to ha...

Creative And Stuck Behind A Desk? Time To Break Free!

Are you a creative type looking for more than the corporate grind? You know you have the ideas, but do you have what it takes to break free? Lisa Gutierrez Martinez often asked herself those questions, and she even asked her friends, some of whom basically told her that her business idea was crazy. Luckily for her and many people who have benefitted from her culturally impactful, creative and stylish dinner parties, she didn't listen. Lisa has worked successfully in various corporate positions, liking some, not loving some, and throughout them all envisioning other ways she could be professionally challenged and fulfilled as an entrepreneur. Having her own business was even more of a calling for her when her son was born. Until he was around one, she stayed with her job and had limited flexibility, but she still had to be away from him for 8 to 9 hours a day and knew it was time for a change so started her "side hustle." Like many entrepreneurial-minded people, Lis...

Do You Think All Bricks And Mortar Businesses Are Dead? Think Again!

We hear it over and over again - bricks and mortar stores are dying. Don't start a retail store because everyone is shopping on line. Recently I met a mompreneur who would beg to differ. Megan Giltner, a self-proclaimed professional bra fitter and accidental entrepreneur, became the owner of a lingerie boutique a few years ago and says the business is thriving. Like many of us moms who pursue entrepreneurship, Megan always knew that being a mom was something important to her, and at the same time she needed to feel professionally productive and engaged. She had been working in lingerie for several years, initially as a part-time way to earn some extra spending money. When Megan was four months pregnant, the owner offered her the opportunity to purchase the business where she was working, and although timing may not have seemed ideal, she jumped in with both feet and has not regretted her decision. What Megan loves most about entrepreneurship is the ability to do something sh...

Mompreneur Next Door

Search This Blog