Before Asako Sakai became a mother of two and a full-time small business owner, her career path was colored by a variety of experiences, including working in Los Angeles, California, as a litigation lawyer and attending Le Cordon Bleu in Sydney, Australia, to pursue her passion for cooking. But when pregnant with her first child, Asako decided to hang up her apron, dreaming of a cozy life of full-time motherhood.
“Mothering turned out to be 100 times harder than working till midnight at restaurants,” says Asako. “Sewing became my solace and escape from the demands of parenting. It restored my sanity after an intense day of raising two high-maintenance kids.” By the time her son was 8 months old and her daughter was nearly 3 years old, Asako was itching to take her love of sewing to the next level. With her family’s small apartment overflowing with quilts and fabrics, launching her handmade accessories shop Piggledee in 2011 was a natural next step.
Five years later, Asako’s Sydney-based business is going strong, and so is her family of four. Though finding a balance between growing her business and supporting her growing family hasn’t always been easy, it has been a challenge well worth the rewards, she says, providing a flexible schedule and a viable source of income.
Whether you’re a new, expecting or experienced parent, you no doubt have questions about how other caregivers remain involved in their businesses while simultaneously addressing their families’ needs. Read on for tips from successful Etsy sellers who have found symbiosis between business and baby.
1. Bring Baby on Board
Depending on the age of your child or children, the opportunities to include them in the process of running your creative business vary. “One of the best ways that I’ve discovered to get work done is to put my kid in a carrier — either on the front or on my back — and go about my day like that,” says Rebecca Ringquist, the artist behind the Portland, Oregon-based embroidery sampler shop Dropcloth. Rebecca runs her business from home in the company of her 6-month-old son Leo, who often falls asleep while she’s carrying him around for an hour or two. “It feels good to be so close to him and still get things done,“ she says.
In the time when Leo is awake and active, Rebecca has learned to adjust her workspace to accommodate his needs. “I used to pack orders on a neat and tidy counter,” she says, “but now those things are just as likely to happen on a blanket on the floor while I’m hanging out with Leo and blowing raspberries in his general direction.” To accommodate the needs of her young child, Rebecca has explored which activities allow her to split her attention — and which don't. As children get older, you may be able to involve them in your business, by teaching them your craft or asking for their help in decorating thank-you notes to buyers. Trial-and-error and an open mind will go a long way in this process.
2. Rethink Your Workflow
For Valerie Tyler, owner of Cleveland, Ohio-based jewelry and vintage home accessories shop Valerie Tyler Collection, one of the biggest challenges of becoming a mom was surrendering her schedule to the needs of her daughter, who is now two and a half years old. “The razor sharp attention I used to have,” says Valerie, “now tends to be split in a million different directions.”
With an energetic and inquisitive kid, the urgent demands of parenting can mean that larger projects get put on hold. “Although it can be frustrating not getting to spend a large chunk of time all at once on a project, I’ve found that work needs to be done in smaller increments, split up throughout the day,” Valerie says. For more tips on managing a busy schedule and developing new routines, read 10 Tips for Making More Time to Make.
3. Make Time for Alone Time
“The biggest change after becoming a stay-at-home parent was that I went from spending most of my time alone to spending all of my time with a baby,” Rebecca says. “It’s been a big adjustment! I miss having uninterrupted time just to think and listen to podcasts.” To combat the increased demand on her attention, she takes strategic moments to recalibrate during the day. “It may sound contradictory, but my best strategy for managing my time is to stop, take a break and go for a run,” says Rebecca, who turns to her wife and her parents for support watching Leo when she needs a mental break. “Otherwise, my stress levels rise to the point that it’s hard to be creative or organized.”
Instead of panicking over the minute details of running her business, Rebecca has opted for making longer lists of things she wants to accomplish and embraced a go-with-the-flow mentality. “As you chip away at your to-do list, take note of the tasks and goals you’re accomplishing,” suggests Rebecca, “recognize that worrying too much can cause paralysis for getting work done.”
4. Say Yes to Helping Hands
Learning to ask for help and set new limits can often be a big hurdle for working parents as they battle the beast that is “mom guilt” — the feeling of needing to be all things to all people so aptly described by Sarah Parker, owner of Milk and Honey Luxuries, in her 2013 Quit Your Day Job feature.
When her kids were little and her partner Mark was working full time, Asako Sakai struggled daily with juggling parenting, housework and her young business. “Some mothers can work while entertaining their kids, but I'm not resourceful in that way,” says Asako, “so I got my kids into daycare for a couple of days during the week — daycare is your best friend.” Now, with her kids attending a local public school and help from her semi-retired partner Mark, who assists with tasks like photo editing and fabric cutting, things are going “pretty awesomely” according to Asako.
Rebecca’s greatest advice for new parents is similar: Welcome help. “When people offer to bring you dinner, mow your lawn or take your kiddo for a walk one afternoon a week so you can have an hour of uninterrupted time — say yes!” Don’t be afraid to look to others for guidance and support. And remember that the path you walk as a parent and entrepreneur is unique to you and your family, and it will take time to find a rhythm that works.
5. Embrace the Experience
Despite the delicate balance between running a business and raising little ones, it’s important to remember the unparalleled benefits of the dual track. “I love that running my own business allows me to arrange my schedule to not miss out on special occasions,” says Valerie, “Whether it’s a field trip or weather too beautiful to miss, I get to spend lots of time watching my daughter grow up.”
Asako and Rebecca agree. “I absolutely love the flexibility of having a home-based business,” says Asako. “I love pottering around our home, cooking and baking in between sewing and tending my business.” Rebecca sums up the complexity of the experience this way: “The best part of owning Dropcloth is being home with Leo, running my business while he naps or hangs out in my studio — and it’s also the biggest challenge.”
What's your best advice for new parents? Share your experiences in the comments below.
Words by Katy Svehaug
Katy Svehaug is a Senior Content Strategist at Etsy.
