We all know that there are a lot of things that moms just do better, and this can apply to running a business as well. All the rushing around meeting appointments, play dates, and t-ball practice, along with making sure everyone is fed, and dressed, and happy, really prepares moms for anything thrown their way. After all that, running a business is a piece of cake.
Forbes.com recently released an article listing the traits and skills moms have that make them exceptional entrepreneurs. So we decided to sit down with two of Hera Hub’s Mompreneurs to get the skinny on how motherhood put them in tip top shape for business.
Our first Mompreneur, Marliese Bartz, is Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Business Strategist, Project Manager, of Bartz Consulting. Our second Mom, Virginia Ruehrwein, is the founder of Getyourkidintocollege.com, a San Diego based college admissions and applications tutoring service. Here they talk about their experiences, motherhood and business, and offer up some great advice to other Mompreneurs.
1. Moms are excellent at multitasking and can balance many different roles and priorities.
VR: I notice that now that I have a son, I get more tasks in business done in less time, because then it allows me to spend more time with my son. Making him a priority helps me to make the time I spend working more productive.
MB: Being an entrepreneur is merely an EXTENSION of a Mom –it’s one more role that we play amongst the many. If a Mom is a good multi-tasker at home, she’ll be a good multi-tasker in her business. If she’s disorganized at home, she’ll be disorganized in
her business as well.
2. Moms emphasize relationships, and understand the importance of fostering relationships with employees, vendor, contractors, etc.
MB: I think that most people inherently trust Moms, because of our warm natures and natural ability to find common ground with even the most unlikely strangers.
3. Moms aren’t afraid to stop and ask for help and direction because they understand that you will receive results faster if you stop and ask for help.
VR: I am much more likely to ask for help now that (son) is older, especially when it comes to fun activities that are going on locally, the quality of local schools, and how good certain products for children are. I do think this habit could be one of the motivating factors in asking for help in business. Not a major motivator, but a factor.
MB: Many women thrive on community – the idea that “it takes a village”. We seek out community for our family and children, so why not for our business? Again, entrepreneurism is an extension of our normal state of being!
4. Moms understand the importance of life outside of business and prioritize a healthy life-work balance.
VR: Most definitely! For me, this question has a strong connection to question #1. Having a family makes me better at everything: time management, prioritizing the most important tasks (so that they get done efficiently), and continuing to enhance my personal relationships all around.
MB: Most Mompreneurs aren’t willing to sacrifice home for work. Instead, they want work to complement home.
5. Moms are great at networking because they have a natural urge to share and talk with other moms about community, products, advice, and ideas.
VR: True! Again, being (and networking with) other moms – especially in moms groups – improves business working. Business networking is not my fave, so it serves me well to network in other areas of my life and transfer some of what I learn to business networking.
MB: Moms are constantly networking! At school, we’re forging connections so we can rally chaperones and drivers for field trips; we’re asking for donations to the Bake Sale. In the process, you learn about one another and find other common ground.
6. Moms are extremely adaptable because, as things in their child’s life changes from day to day, they are forced to stay on their toes and never get too comfortable.
VR: Most definitely. Children are always changing. Things that worked when they were 2 do not work when they are 5. We have to constantly learn and adapt to new things in order to be the best parents that we can be. The same goes for working with clients. They are all different, so you had better be prepared to work with different personality types, and people of all ages.
MB: There is no ‘status quo’ for a Mom. Just when we think we’ve got a kid stage all figured out, something changes and we’re back to feeling like we don’t know what the heck we’re doing! As a result, our parenting needs are always shifting, and we have to be open to change.
Ultimately, moms know how to embrace chaos arguably better than anyone else and this trait is integral to running a successful business. Balancing a business, hobbies, and multiple to-do lists can be overwhelming but if a Mompreneur can juggle kiddos and a thriving enterprise, you can do it too! Even when the tasks pile up and the job becomes chaotic, the key to success if just to keep showing up and moving forward.
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Kayla Koterbay, a UCSB graduate, is currently pursuing her Masters of Mass Communications and New Media at San Jose State University. With a background in finance, she’s interested in the intersections between economics, women, and community. Connect with Kayla on LinkedIn.