When I decided to leave teaching and pursue a more intentional life as a business owner, I envisioned freedom, flexibility, and a chance to design a life that truly aligned with my values. And in many ways, that dream has become my reality. I’m building something I’m passionate about, creating a legacy for my family, and finding fulfillment in work that excites me.

But here’s the truth: stepping into entrepreneurship hasn’t been without its challenges, especially as a mother. In fact, I quickly realized that while I left behind the constraints of a traditional job, I brought some of the same unhealthy work habits with me. Without meaning to, I became my own worst boss—working late into the night, blurring the lines between work hours and family time, and setting expectations for myself that left little room for grace.

This realization pushed me to think more deeply about how I wanted to spend my time moving forward—not just working for the sake of being busy, but ensuring that my efforts were aligned with what truly matters to me. As much as I value intentional living, the journey to finding balance as both a business owner and a mom has been far from perfect. And that’s okay. Today, I want to share the highs and lows of this path—the joy of pursuing my passions, the lessons I’m learning about balance, and the ongoing growth that comes with navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood and entrepreneurship.

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Redefining My Relationship With Time

One of the biggest motivators for starting my own business was my relationship with time. I’ve always believed that time is our most precious commodity—it’s finite, and how we spend it shapes our lives. That belief led me to reevaluate how I was spending my days as a teacher.

Back then, I often felt like my time wasn’t my own. I wanted to focus on teaching and lesson planning—on the work that truly mattered—but so much of my energy was consumed by tasks that felt disconnected from that purpose. Meetings, paperwork, and countless other responsibilities often left me feeling like I was spinning my wheels instead of moving forward in a meaningful way.

Now, as I build my business, I’m striving to create a different relationship with time—one that feels more intentional and aligned. I want to spend my days doing work that truly supports my goals, whether that’s refining my offers, marketing my services, or working with clients. The beauty of this journey is that I get to decide what my workday looks like, and I’m learning to focus on tasks that not only move my business forward but also feel purposeful and fulfilling.

Yet, even with this more intentional approach to time, the balance between work and motherhood is a constant learning curve. Some days call for leaning into creativity, while others require digging into structure and strategy. It’s not always perfect, and I’m still figuring out how to manage it all, but I’m grateful to be on a path where I can strive for a better relationship with time—one that supports my work and my family in a meaningful way.

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The Balancing Act

Balancing motherhood and running a business is one of the hardest, yet most rewarding, challenges I’ve faced. There’s a constant tug-of-war between the desire to be fully present for my family and the drive to give my all to a business I’m deeply passionate about. And while I set clear boundaries—established work hours meant to safeguard family time—I still find myself slipping out of balance.

It happens most often when I’m working on something particularly challenging, like learning a new skill or developing a fresh offer. The early stages of a business demand so much more time and energy—there’s always something more to do, something to refine, or something new to build. In those moments, I find myself working beyond the hours I promised myself and my family I’d reserve for them. It’s as though the lines between work and home life begin to blur.

When this happens, guilt sets in. I think about the reasons I chose this path in the first place: to create a life where I could be more present, to spend more time with my family, and to live in a way that feels aligned with my values. Yet here I am, missing bedtime stories or feeling distracted at the dinner table, caught in the whirlwind of trying to make this dream work.

These moments of imbalance have shaped how I approach my journey as both a mother and entrepreneur. I’ve learned that balance isn’t about perfection—it’s about recalibration. Some seasons will demand more of me in one area than another, and that’s okay. What matters most is staying rooted in my “why”—the reason I began this journey—and consistently striving to build a life that reflects my values.

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Lessons Learned and Ongoing Growth

The challenges of balancing work and family have taught me invaluable lessons about time, resilience, and self-acceptance. One of the biggest takeaways has been the importance of redefining my expectations for what I can realistically accomplish in a single day. In the early stages of building my business, I’ve had to confront the fact that trying to do everything—wearing every hat and chasing every task—leads to burnout, not success. By setting more realistic goals, I’m learning to prioritize the most important work without overstretching myself.

I’ve also leaned on systems that help me stay organized and disciplined. My planners and calendars structure my work hours, and I actively avoid distractions during that time. These tools have been invaluable in helping me stay focused and efficient so I can truly step away when it’s time to transition back to family life.

Even so, I’ve realized that the best systems don’t guarantee perfection. There are tough days when things don’t go as planned, and I’ve had to learn to offer myself grace—to acknowledge that I’m doing the best I can in this season of life. Open communication with my family has also been vital. Ongoing conversations with my husband and daughter about my workflow have helped us navigate this journey together and make adjustments when needed.

Ultimately, I’ve come to see balance not as a fixed destination but as a continuous process of growth and recalibration. I’m learning to accept the ebbs and flows of life as a business owner and mom, to celebrate the progress I’ve made, and to embrace the lessons in the struggles. While I’m still finding my footing, I’m grateful for this path and the opportunity to grow into the person I’m becoming.