In today’s eTip I spoke with Yvonne Hogenes from Malary’s and Firmawear Energy Wear (among other things) while at the Woman of Worth event recently and I grabbed her to talk about the guilt we can feel as moms when we’re balancing parenting with running a business.
I let Yvonne takes the reigns so she could share her advice for every mother out there who may have concerns about the lifestyle of an entrepreneurial mom.
Yvonne has some great words of wisdom for all mothers running a business
Yvonne:
I remember when my boys were 9, 11, and 13 it was a busy time with them just getting into sports, and I decided I had to follow my dream which wound up being my store Malary’s.
I knew at the time it would take a lot of time and energy, although had I known the real amount demanded I may have been more hesitant.
It’s very important to have a plan.
I did the hard work and mapped out my five-year plan before I took the plunge.
Once I dove in it was all consuming. And it has to be for it to work.
I felt guilty as a mom. My kids would laugh because if I sat down for 3 minutes on the coach, I was asleep.
Years later… my boys are in the business with me!
My boys knew why I was tired and they learned by example that having a strong work ethic brings success.
That support was not limited to my kids. My husband, my family, and my friends and staff carried me through to where I am today.
But the guilt that comes with being a mother was still there.
Accept that if you’re doing what you love your kids will learn by watching. What they learn is probably more valuable than any book lesson.
When they needed someone at their games to watch them play their dad was always there.
By giving myself room to work on my business I was able to succeed and everyone around me was able to help by picking up any slack.
I embraced my working mom lifestyle while going through it and now that my kids are employees they thank me for it.
Business owner is a tough role but 20 years later I’m still finding the same level of support that makes it all work.
How to get in touch with Yvonne
The best way is malarys.com which has links to Firma (which is a fantastic product) and other local designers she works with.
She’s in Cloverdale in Fraser Valley and features lots of local, Canadian designers so she’s well worth checking out.
If you’re a working mom or a mom thinking about getting into entrepreneurship and business and need help, then please get in touch. I have helped many women both mothers and not get into business and I would love to mentor you through the process of starting your own business.
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To your business success,
Susan Friesen
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About the Author, Susan Friesen
Located in the lower mainland of B.C., Susan Friesen is a visionary brand strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of British Columbia’s premiere boutique web development and digital marketing agency, eVision Media.
With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she is an expert in helping businesses establish their online presence and create a strong brand identity.
Her passion for empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners to succeed in the digital world has earned her a reputation as a leading authority in the branding and marketing industry.
Visit www.BrandIdentitySteps.com and download your FREE guide: "Unlocking Customer Trust and Business Growth: Your 7-Step Guide to Defining a Compelling Brand Identity that Appeals to Your Perfect Clients".
