It can be tough to manage your life if you have the entrepreneurial spirit and a family. They both take up so much time that your days can be overwhelming. That’s not to say you shouldn’t try, of course. I strongly support moms starting their own businesses and following their passions. As someone who has done it all before, here’s some advice that might help.

1. Pick something that works with your family

If your goal is to be present and available for your family, you’ll need to start a business you can do from anywhere, or from home. If your business takes you out of the state or confines you to an offsite workshop or office, the early days of the business (when you work on it all the time) will be tough. Likewise, don’t start a business that requires you to miss your kids when they’re awake.

2. Validate your idea

We all have ideas, and only some of them are great. Before you sink your life savings into a business venture, make sure you can actually make sales. Don’t buy 10,000 units of your product. Get a few samples and try to sell those first. If you can, take preorders so you can use that money to run your operations. Then, build up slowly, making bigger deals over time so you never get stuck with a product that won’t sell.

3. Include your family

You’ll probably be spending a lot of time running your business, so find ways to involve the other people in your household. You don’t have to turn them into slave labor, but include them wherever you can. You might ask your kids to pick out prints, help post to your social media pages, or pack boxes. Older kids can make appointments, take notes, and even assemble products.

4. Make sure you have support from our spouse

Starting and running a business takes a toll on a relationship. You’re busy with your venture and the family, so you get little time together. Be sure that your spouse is on the same page and your goals align so there’s no tension. If you don’t get support from your better half, this won’t work.

5. Don’t take on too much debt

Passion and drive are great. Sometimes it can be good to take on some debt to get your business moving or propel you to the next level, but too much puts your family at risk. I recommend “bootstrapping” your business. That means only using the profits of the business for growth, even if that means accepting a slower climb. It can be frustrating, but it protects your livelihood.

Have you ever started a business? What was your experience? 

Written by Alicia Overby - Founder & President of Baby Elephant Ears

Alicia is wife, mother, and creator of Baby Elephant Ears. Baby Elephant Ears was created out of parental concern, not financial desire. In 2005, when their second child was an infant, he cried all the time and just couldn't seem to get comfortable.

After seeking advice and suggestion from the medical community and alternative medicine, they eventually ended up in the chiropractors office where their baby was successfully treated for asubluxation, discomfort most likely the result of the strain during labor, which was now being exacerbated by the normal lack of infant neck strength. Only proper neck, head, and back alignment would offer him relief. When they couldn't find a product to give their baby the necessary support, Alicia took matters into her own hands and crafted her own infant support pillow. The first Baby Elephant Ears was born!

For more information, visit www.babyelephantears.com.

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