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Even though the world is slowly turning to have both parents working, there are still plenty of mothers out there who give up their careers in order to stay home and raise their children. So, are you planning on running a small business from home?
Young children need a lot of watching over and dedicated time but the older they get, the more independent they become. It’s bittersweet to know that you don’t have to take them everywhere while they don’t rely on you as much.
That’s why many mothers choose to go back to work when their kids become older. Coming back to work after a career break can be a bit of a shock to the system, but it doesn’t take too long to get acclimated.
Nowadays, the internet and surge towards remote working have given plenty of moms that perfect middle ground. You can work a job, earn an income, have a flexible schedule, and be able to stay within the comfort of your home.
You can also run a business from your home with ease these days. While running a small business may seem like a lot of work, you can make it a “small” small business, something that gives you passive income.
Getting started on running a small business from home, here are 4 tips to help you out:
1. Have your space
“Private space” may have been something that died out years ago when you became a parent, but if you’re going to be working from home, you need your own area.
You might not be able to swing having your own office at home, but you should set up a small zone. That can be the dining room table, a small corner in the living room, or even a desk in the bedroom. Be sure to keep distractions far away.
Keep everything you need close by, so that you don’t have to get up and go look for what you need. Strive to be the most organized person you know.
It’s important to have a place that you enter and you are now in “work mode”. It’s healthy for both your mental and physical state.
2. Set a schedule
As a mom, you probably have everyone’s schedule memorized but now it’s time to make sure you stick to your own schedule. Set up your schedule however you would like, but make sure and stick to it.
Know that from 10-2 you’ll be working every day with a small break for lunch in the middle. There’s no wrong schedule but you need to have a set one from the outset. This will also help you maintain discipline while working and minimize distractions that could be plentiful in your home.
Also, remember to “punch out” at the end of your day means you don’t deal with any more work-related items from there on out. You don’t want to be the person locked away in their office as the sun goes down every day.
3. Be an open book
Running a small business by yourself means you’re going to be wearing plenty of hats during the day. While you might be an expert on marketing and promotions, you may not feel the same way about social media.
Make time to learn the skills you think you need in order to be successful. There are plenty of free resources online that can be utilized to not only help your business but also help you as an individual. Check out places like YouTube or even master classes at Udemy, which offer crash courses and lessons to help improve your overall profile. You might be surprised how fast you can pick things up!
4. Have legitimate goals
You might dream of your small business growing out of your garage and into the world, just like Apple and Steve Jobs, but that probably won’t be the case.
It’s important to have legitimate business goals for yourself and your business. Know your limitations and know what you’re trying to accomplish each day.
These don’t have to just be long-term goals, but also short-term goals. Make a checklist at the beginning of each day or week in order to keep you on track. Checking off those short-term goals is a great mental exercise that can help make your long-term goals more realistic.
