Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship is a challenging yet deeply fulfilling endeavor. Ruby shares her tips on how to build a business as a stay-at-home mom. Ruby Valencia, a brand strategist and website designer, who shares her unique journey of launching her business during pregnancy and the early months of her son’s life. Ruby’s insights offer invaluable guidance on how to manage sleepless nights, adjust work schedules around a baby’s needs, and the pivotal role of family support, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown. Her experience illustrates how moving away from the traditional 9-to-5 mindset can create a more harmonious blend of work and parenting.
Entrepreneurship as a Stay-at-Home Mom
Ruby’s entrepreneurship journey began when she launched a business during pregnancy, laying the groundwork for her business while anticipating the birth of her son. Although, motherhood and entrepreneurship each have their own set of challenges, Ruby learned how to balance both. She was able to lean into available support and had to learn to let go of the guilt associated with asking for help.
If being a mom wasn’t enough of a hurdle, the onset of the COVID-19 lockdown presented additional challenges. What helped her get through it? Ruby emphasized how she needed to have a mental shift from the typical 9-5 job mentality. Instead, she created a schedule that revolved around her and the baby’s needs rather than a rigid corporate structure. This has allowed her to create a sustainable business model that aligns with her family’s dynamics and entrepreneurship.
Setting Boundaries and Self-Care
Motherhood and trying to build a business each present their own set of challenges. When combined, they demand a unique balancing act. Therefore, it is important to set firm boundaries between professional and personal life. This requires transparent communication with clients about parenting responsibilities. Ruby’s personal techniques for balancing work and childcare range from utilizing local babysitters to leaning on family support, all while maintaining a supportive and understanding client relationship.
Additionally, Ruby emphasizes the crucial role of self-care practices in maintaining balance and productivity in entrepreneurship. For her, journaling and mindfulness helped her manage the stress of balancing motherhood and building a business. This mindset shift, from seeking a perfect balance to striving for harmony, allowed Ruby to navigate both roles as a mom and entrepreneur. For example, recognizing that some days would require more focus on family while others would demand more attention to business is key to her success.
Changing the Future for Mompreneurs
Ruby wants to normalize the acceptance of children when running a business at home. It is hard enough to build a business as it is. Adding the obstacle of children as background noise makes it even harder for women. By setting clear expectations with clients, they can understand the dual roles as a mother and an entrepreneur. This approach not only fosters understanding but also builds stronger, more supportive client relationships. Ruby explains how her clients appreciate her honesty and were willing to accommodate her needs. With the rise in remote work, clients are more understanding. Therefore, it is possible to pursue your passion and raise a family without compromising the quality of your work or family time.
Ruby Valencia offers a wealth of insights and practical advice on how to build a business for the stay-at-home mom who is struggling to balance their dual roles. From setting boundaries and leaning on support systems to transparent client communication and building a strong brand, Ruby’s journey provides a roadmap for navigating the complexities of motherhood and entrepreneurship.
