Tough as a Mother: Navigating the Expectations of Mompreneurs

The decision to embark on my entrepreneurial journey stemmed from a deeply personal place—I craved the freedom to nurture my own ideas. However, it wasn't until I held my first child in my arms that I found the courage to take that leap. The mere thought of parting with my precious boy and potentially missing out on his milestones propelled me to action. I sought solace in Lauren's expertise, and together, we birthed an online wedding stationery business.

At first, managing tasks during my Archer’s naps or late into the night seemed feasible. But as my family expanded alongside the flourishing business, the stakes grew higher. The pressure to excel and provide surged exponentially. It dawned on me that being a mompreneur is a paradoxical journey. What initially felt like liberation gradually revealed itself as a realm fraught with expectations, both self-imposed and societal.

While the allure of crafting my schedule and leaving work at will is undeniable, it's juxtaposed with an overwhelming sense of guilt and an incessant drive for perfection. The balancing act we, as mothers, undertake—prioritizing family while nurturing our professional aspirations—is a relentless tug-of-war. We inherently strive to build something meaningful amidst our maternal duties, believing we can excel in every role. Yet, the reality often falls short of these lofty ambitions.

It's no surprise that entrepreneurial women, particularly mothers, set impossibly high standards for themselves. We step into this realm with determination, fueled by a desire to prove our capabilities. Through my experiences and interactions at Tied & Two and Collective, I've witnessed numerous fellow mompreneurs navigating this delicate dance.

We are capable of achieving greatness on multiple fronts, but it's crucial to extend grace to ourselves. Acknowledging that perfection is an unattainable ideal allows us to embrace our humanity and find equilibrium in the chaos of entrepreneurship and motherhood.

Acknowledging these lofty expectations as an inherent part of our journey is crucial. As mothers and entrepreneurs, we continuously evolve and learn, yet the quest for perfection remains elusive. The nature of entrepreneurship propels us forward with an insatiable appetite for growth and innovation—it's always "on to the next." Embracing this reality fosters resilience and empowers us to navigate the dynamic landscape of balancing ambition with self-compassion. It's in this ongoing pursuit that we discover the beauty of imperfection and the strength gained from each step forward, however imperfect it may be.