Vhari Russell, Founder of The Food Marketing Experts, mum of three, Founder of Grub Club Cambridge (B2B food networking club) and Creating Nature’s Corridors – charity which aims to rewild developed areas of the UK. Accomplished Mentor.
Motherhood has opened up many opportunities for countless women across the world. Some of whom have created new businesses driven by the need to be flexible or born out of an idea that developed through having children, likely dreamt up during the early hours! Motherhood is totally life enhancing and can boost your career. Motherhood provides myriad chances to help you grow, connect and meet new people and develop new ideas and skills for business life.
Enhances your ability to juggle
As a mum you have to be able to juggle a number of tasks at the same time. This is a hugely valuable skill when running a successful business. It also enables you to represent the safe pair of hands that is trusted to deliver.
Teaches you to work smart
Time management is key and with many mums working school hours we have to work smart, and be efficient in our work practises. When such skills are implemented into businesses they can deliver greater productivity and results across the whole business.
Hones your ability to listen
As a parent you have to be a good listener and tune into the sounds and words your children are telling you. This enables you to listen to what your clients are saying and accurately interpret their specific needs. As a mother, you also develop an innate ability to be sensitive to people’s moods and to pick up on any upset or sadness. This new found empathy helps you to forge strong and lasting relationships – both in your business and personal life.
Like minded
Becoming a mum enables you to meet other great women, who may then become business colleagues and friends. There are so many platforms to connect and meet other inspiring business women. It is very much about finding your tribe and sharing thoughts and ideas with them. You frequently hear stories of women who have met on the school run and work together to achieve their common goals.
Don’t panic
With motherhood comes the inbuilt skill to respond to crises with a practical, calm approach and without panicking. This can then be reflected in your approach to businesses and dealing with clients / employees.
Flexible
There’s nothing like running a household with a number of children to heighten your understanding of the need to be flexible. Flexibility is a key attribute of family life. But it is also an essential skill to bring into the workplace environment. Plans change. Business crises occur. You need to be ready to adapt to new situations and new trading conditions. Women are brilliant at this.
Gives you the drive to succeed
As a parent you really want to succeed for your children. You want to show them what can be achieved if you are prepared to work hard and ultimately make them proud – and of course provide a degree of financial stability. When you are time limited due to the pressures of family life it can fire your determination to make things as successful as possible. Motherhood also inspires you to leave being mum at home and to be you in the work environment, reaching for the stars and achieving the goals you set for yourself.
Top tips:
- Diary – always put everything in it, it is easier to move and rearrange than not have events in.. Go digital or stick to a traditional paper-based system, but make checking your diary a daily ritual. And don’t forget to diarise time out for yourself. Me time is vital to maintain a successful work / life balance.
- Lists and CRM – We all love a good list, if you write them on coloured paper they stand out and you can take great joy in ticking things off. A CRM system is vital for business growth, if linked to your emails the team can see conversations between you and the clients. It also enables you to assign tasks and set reminders, it’s a great tool.
- Make packed lunches for yourself at the same time as you make them for the kids – make lunchtime your time. By making the packed lunches en masse, you can then use your lunch hour to go for a walk or read a book or nap! However you use it, this then becomes a bit of extra me time.
- Zoom meetings – By keeping meetings virtual you save time and fuel. It is advisable to keep the meetings to 45 minutes to ensure all participants stay focused
- Always remember two ears one mouth. You have two ears for listening. It is vital to listen to colleagues and clients in meetings, if it helps you can ask to record the Zoom meeting to enable you to play it back later.
- Find a Business model with scalability – When growing your business think about your team and the skill set they have, not just for the here and now, but for the future. It is vital that your business has a mix of skills so that you all complement rather than compete with each other.
