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I am sharing this article from Emily Graham of the Mighty Moms blog because I know that expecting mothers can use all the help they can get during the Covid-19 pandemic.
You decide to start a family and a business at the same time. While you may experience a few hesitations and reservations, you have what it takes to make both dreams a reality. To better navigate the waters of uncertainty, here are several insights from author Pam Saxelby to help you settle into pregnancy and parenthood while laying the foundation for your new enterprise.
A great way to spend time with your new baby in your off hours is to read him or her Pam Saxelby’s beloved books! Buy your copies of The Great Grace Escape, Josie the Great, and Max and Bear on her website or add them to your registry.
Prepare Throughout the Pregnancy
If you have yet to welcome your baby into the world, spend the pregnancy getting set up for success. Depending on the business, that may mean funneling more money into an emergency savings account in case you need to devote more time than anticipated to your infant. Do you think you may need to spend more hours at home than in the office for the first few months after your baby arrives? If so, set your company up so you can run things from your home without the business operations or your employees suffering.
Tell Your Employees and Clients About the News
Your clients and employees deserve to know about your new baby. That way, your clients or customers can decide if they may want to either take their business elsewhere or delay projects or services with you until a later date. Sharing the news of your baby may bring in business since your customer base could feel more connected to you by learning such a personal detail of your life.
Form an LLC
Do you want to establish a home-based business? If so, consider forming an LLC. With this arrangement, you experience flexibility, don't have as much paperwork to maintain, enjoy limited liability and can benefit from tax advantages. This business structure allows you to free up time and resources that you can devote to bonding with your baby. Because states have different requirements for establishing an LLC, research the latest regulations in your geographic location before moving forward. Consider using a formation service like Zen Business to save even more time and sidestep expensive legal fees. You can register your company online, or if you feel more comfortable having someone talk you through the steps and everything you’ll need, speak to a representative. The Zen Business phone number is 1-844-4-ZENBIZ (1-844-493-6249).
Create a Routine
Both babies and businesses benefit from routines. If you're still waiting for your bundle of joy, create the beginnings of a loose system to give yourself an idea of where you need to make time adjustments when it comes to caring for your company and baby. This routine may change as you get to know your baby and learn how your business operates on a daily basis. Learn what to prioritize, what you may want to delegate to someone else and what you could eliminate from your routine and schedule entirely.
As GoDaddy notes, think about your baby's sleeping and feeding schedule and decide how you can use it to get work done. For instance, while your baby naps, you can respond to an email or return a phone call. It may take a bit to learn the times your baby usually sleeps and wants to feed, so give yourself space and patience to adjust.
You do not have to choose between having a baby and having a business, not when you can do both simultaneously. See how these tips work for two of the most important things in your life.