Startup tips to make effective professional decisions — by a mompreneur, for mompreneurs

In the past couple of years, the startup culture has managed to take India by storm. In this flourishing startup landscape, every second person we meet either is an entrepreneur or in the process of becoming one with his or her upcoming venture. Over the years, this domain has also witnessed a surge in women entrepreneurs who have demonstrated their ability to lead their business through difficult times and achieve success through sheer hard work and dedication.

However, despite its initial allure, surviving in the world of corporates is daunting and can even discourage the most capable ones from commencing their entrepreneurial journeys. The road gets especially tough for young moms who may have to let go of their dreams of raising a business, and instead, concentrate on raising their family.

Although there are certain challenges and risks that come along with the responsibility of building a business from scratch, many women have managed to mark their presence among established market players and have emerged as leaders of their respective domains. Taking inspiration from them, a new crop of entrepreneurs is gradually rising in number, viz. mompreneurs who have a singular aim — disrupting the startup ecosystem with their innovative ideas and strong leadership skills.

Here are a few secrets for aspiring mompreneurs, enabling them to make effective professional decisions for greater business growth:

Start small: In this day and age of the internet, you can be connected to your clients and customers from anywhere and can begin a business even if there are just two employees. Starting small can simultaneously give you the flexibility to work on your idea for a startup, as well as flexibility with your time when raising kids. Also, moonlighting (alternate jobs), if possible, can help women achieve financial independence.

Learn the core skills: Pick up the skills that matter to your business. They will come in handy while setting up.

Discuss and share: Connect with people and share your idea with them. Discuss. Get their feedback. Networking is one of the essential skills that complement your work and will help you grow in your career path.

Learn to prioritise: It is absolutely OK for you to take some time off work for your family or vice versa. The key to success lies in being able to handle both and prioritise one over the other from time to time. Good clients understand that family is both a priority as well as a focal point around which your business is built. However, if any client finds it difficult to accept this factor, it is better to let them go.

Get a mentor: A mentor could guide you and help you with your startup plans. They can provide guidance, wisdom, and direction so you don’t become mired in self-doubt.

Install processes at office and home: Having a strong support system can have a positive influence on the lives of mompreneurs — be it personal or professional.

Build the startup’s culture around family: Up-and-coming entrepreneurs should plan to build a small space within the office for a crèche. This can help in encouraging young mothers not to give up on their career while taking care of their kid(s), and also builds a sense of caring in the workplace.

Being a busy mompreneur can be a challenge. Work never ends after motherhood, but if you can set reasonable limits for yourself and follow the tips outlined above, you’ll see that you really can have it all. Motherhood does not stop a woman from achieving her professional goals, and it can be managed simultaneously with work. These tips can greatly help aspiring mompreneurs to accomplish greater career milestones without having to compromise on any end, be it home or work.

(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of YourStory.)