How to Build Your Business as a Busy Parent
Truth be told, being a parent is already a full-time job. Add running a business on top of that, and time will feel like a luxury. If you’re anything like me - juggling parenthood, a growing business, and having family and friends across the world…you know the struggle is real.
But here’s the thing: It’s possible to build a successful business while raising kids, and sometimes I need a reminder too. So today, let me be your reminder. It just takes a mix of smart time management, realistic goal-setting, and a business plan that actually works for your life. Let’s dive into how you can make it happen.
1. Time Management
…or how I call it: working with your reality, and not against it
Forget the 24/7 mentality, it’s just not realistic when you have kids. Instead, focus on efficiency and intentionality. The key is knowing what to do and when to do it. Assuming you already have a business plan (the #1 most important foundation), let’s look at practical ways to actually manage. your. time.
Prioritize: Based on your business plan, look at your daily, weekly, monthly and yearly tasks and then prioritize based on what brings your business forward
Now that we have the most important task taken care of, let’s look at how you can make the best out of your other tasks.
Power Hour technique: Pick one hour a day or a few times a week where you focus on uninterrupted work. Early mornings or late evenings are the.best when no kid, no dog, no friend or family member is relying on you. (real life example: I finished writing this blog at 5am in the morning when everyone was sleeping)
Create that timetable: You need to know what to do and when to do it or else running your own business can become a mess that’s hard to untangle, plus it’ll cost you time. Knowing what you’ll do that Monday morning will give you a great start!
Think small - it’s okay: Some days, you won’t have big chunks of time, and that’s okay. Use those 10-minute windows to respond to emails, edit a photo, or plan your next move.
Adjust: All these suggestions sound great and all, but we all know that unexpected situations can happen all the time when having kids, or dogs for that matter. Remember, it’s okay to deviate, but you need to adjust accordingly.
For example: Early Monday morning is dedicated to updating your website because we all know it helps with SEO and your Google ranking. But, something unexpected came up that morning. That late Monday evening, which was supposed to be blocked for content creation, is still important. Don’t panic. Adjust. Update a smaller section of your website, write a quick blog post, or brainstorm a discount idea to add to your site. This will save you time, and you can still manage to create content. Maybe this Monday, it won’t be a reel but instead, a carousel post.
2. Set Goals That Actually Work for You
Big goals are exciting, but as a parent, you need goals that fit your reality. Instead of vague plans like "grow my business," break it down into clear, manageable steps. When deciding on your goals, the SMART goal technique will make everything easier. It is basically a way to turn your ideas into something achievable. It helps you focus by breaking things down into clear steps. Here's how it works:
S for Specific: Be clear about what you want. Instead of saying, "I want more clients," you’d say, "I want to book 5 family sessions this month."
M for Measurable: Make it something you can track. Like, "I’ll reach out to 10 potential clients this week." That way, you’ll know if you’re making progress.
A for Achievable: Keep it realistic. Set goals that push you but aren’t impossible. For example, “Offer one mini session next month” instead of “Triple my bookings overnight.”
R for Relevant: Your goal should align with what really matters to you and your business. If you’re focusing on family photography, your goals shouldn’t be about unrelated projects (ahem, I still love unrelated projects).
T for Time-bound: We already discussed this. :)
3. Automate, Delegate, and Simplify
You don’t have to do it all. In fact, trying to do everything yourself is the fastest way to burnout.
Automate where you can: Use those scheduling tools for social media, email templates are a great way to save time, and automated workflows for bookings will make your life easier. Usesession is great to quickly adjust sessions, contracts, and questionnaires. Pixieset saves tremendous time when delivering client galleries.
Outsource when it makes sense: This. Sometimes, spending a little extra money can save you a lot of time, and in turn, help you make more money because you can focus on other important tasks. For example, we’re considering a day or two of daycare for our little one to help me get more done (yay!).
Simplify your offers: You don’t have to do everything at once. Start with a few core services and perfect them before expanding. The same goes for your sessions. I tend to overcomplicate things, wanting the cutest setup, but I get stuck in my thoughts forever when, in reality, sometimes simple is better.
4. Boundaries: Protect Your Time and Energy
Running a business from home can blur the lines between work and family. Setting clear boundaries is key.
Set work hours: Even if it’s just a few dedicated hours per week, stick to them.
Communicate expectations: Honest is best. Let clients know your availability upfront. (e.g. you won’t be able to answer emails at 11 PM)
Protect family time: Just like you schedule work, schedule time with your family. No guilt, no distractions.
5. Mindset: Progress Over Perfection
Oh dear, this is something I need to remind myself off all the time. Perfectionism will slow you down every. single. time.
Done is better than perfect: I say this because perfection is often in the eye of the beholder, so go ahead. Post that content, launch that offer, send that email. You can always refine later.
Celebrate those small wins: Every client booked, every task completed. It all adds up. Please acknowledge your progress. Everyone started somewhere.
Give yourself grace!!!: Some days will be chaotic and that’s okay. Keep that in mind and keep going.
6. Build a Support System
You don’t have to do this alone. Surround yourself with people who get it.
Network with other parent entrepreneurs: They understand the juggle and can offer support, advice, and collaboration opportunities.
Lean on family and friends: If someone offers help, take it!
Invest in mentorship: Whether it's a coach, course, or business group, learning from others can speed up your success.
There’s so much to do when building and maintaining your business, I get it. The most important takeaway is knowing what moves your business forward and how to divide your time accordingly. Another key part is accepting and trusting the process. Some days won’t go as planned, and it’ll feel like falling. Get up and keep going. We’ve all got this if we really want it!