Parenting and operating your own business require a similar set of skills: innovation, creativity, empathy, resilience, a can-do attitude no matter the obstacles, and a tireless determination to work hard. These qualities are essential for raising a child and growing a business.
Women who choose to do both are navigating two different worlds. While societal norms suggest that this creates a divide that forces women to choose between work and home, there is actually a harmonious fusion occurring.
Mompreneurs are integrating the valuable insights they gain from their work into their parenting strategies and utilizing the perspectives they acquire from motherhood to enhance the success of their businesses. A continuous, mutually beneficial evolution is happening in both spheres.
Statistics show that one in three businesses owned by women is operated by a mother, and the Wells Fargo 2024 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses Report indicates that “14 million women-owned businesses make up 39.1% of all U.S. businesses.”
This translates to an impressive 4.7 million businesses in the United States being led by mothers.
According to a survey of 500 American mompreneurs conducted by Vistaprint, “56% believe that entrepreneurship positively impacts parenting,” and 94% agree that “running a business imparts important qualities such as work ethic, responsibility, leadership, commitment, and self-confidence to their children.”
The symbiotic relationship between motherhood and being the founder of a company
Eunice Byun, CEO and co-founder of Material kitchenware, states that being a mother has enhanced her leadership skills in everyday business interactions. She explains, “For me, being a founder and a mother go hand in hand. I am a better founder because I am a mother and a better mother because I am a founder. Both require expert prioritization skills and the ability to seek assistance.”
Angel Kho and Eleanor Lee, co-founders of Loulou Lollipop, a lifestyle brand for children, add, “Building a business is akin to raising children. It demands time, care, and the capacity to handle setbacks gracefully. We have also realized the critical importance of adaptability and adjusting to constant change, whether in our business or our family lives.”
Katie Echevarria Rosen Kitchens, co-founder and editor-in-chief of FabFitFun, says, “Motherhood has made me a more effective leader. I now focus more on efficiency, productivity, and performance rather than the time spent in an office.”
Business moms have empathy: A quality every good leader needs to run a successful business
Motherhood instills empathy, a trait that benefits mothers in managing their children as well as their employees. According to Ernst & Young’s 2023 Empathy in Business report, 87% of U.S. workers believe that empathy contributes to better leadership.
Kim Billeter, EY Americas People Advisory Services Leader, states, “Our research consistently shows that for businesses to successfully transform, they must prioritize empathetic leadership to create transparency and foster psychological safety for employees.”
Chiara Scudieri, co-founder of the I.C.O.N. beauty brand, remarks, “Becoming a mother has deepened my capacity for empathy, which is invaluable in business. Understanding the needs and viewpoints of my employees and customers enables me to cultivate stronger relationships and deliver better service. This empathy also influences my leadership style, as I aim to create a supportive and inclusive work environment.”
Resilience fuels motherhood and business
A report by Aon on 2,500 participants revealed that “resilience at work increases employees’ enthusiasm by 45%, energy by 39%, and concentration by 27%. Resilience also impacts their confidence and satisfaction levels.”
Kho and Lee explain, “Motherhood teaches us resilience, managing multiple priorities, and the importance of making quick, decisive adjustments. These skills seamlessly transfer to running a business.”
Scudieri echoes the significance of adapting when necessary and emphasizes the importance of the response post-pivot. She notes, “Motherhood has imparted lessons that directly apply to running my business. Resilience in the face of adversity, raising a child inevitably involves challenges, but it’s the ability to bounce back and keep progressing that leads to growth and success. Similarly, entrepreneurship demands resilience, particularly during challenging times or setbacks.”
What these moms hope their children and others learn from watching them work hard
Children observe and learn from their parents’ actions, just as employees look to their bosses for guidance. As both business leaders and mothers, these mompreneurs recognize that they serve as role models for their children and their teams.
Amy Driscoll, co-founder of Bear’s Fruit, a sparkling water and kombucha gut health drink company, emphasizes that running a business and motherhood are enduring commitments. She believes that “building a business is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires time, dedication, and resilience, much like raising children. While there may be periods of constantly addressing challenges, there is also immense potential for rewarding outcomes in both aspects of life.”
Byun advises, “Choose your battles. Building a business is a long-term endeavor, and you must maintain the endurance and mental well-being to sustain it. This means prioritizing the most important battles and not concern yourself with every minor one.”
Protecting Mother Earth for future generations
Mothers focus on the greater good, understanding that their children will inherit the Earth for generations to come. Loulou Lollipop recently obtained B Corporation certification, reinforcing their commitment for their company to be a positive force.
Kho and Lee explain, “From the start, we intended for Loulou Lollipop’s products to reflect our dedication to safety and environmental respect. The B Corp certification formalizes this dedication with stringent criteria that help ensure a brighter future for everyone’s children.”
Additionally, Driscoll shares that Bear’s Fruit drinks are consciously crafted using organic fresh fruit, herbs, fair-trade certified, non-GMO ingredients, and the company aims to achieve carbon neutrality without causing harm.
These mothers intertwine their paths as parents and business owners to create a positive ripple effect. Kho and Lee summarize it perfectly: “We aspire for our children to comprehend the value of kindness, collaboration, and striving to do good in the world. Business isn’t solely about profits; it’s about leaving a lasting positive impact.”
