Start a Business, get a job, or do both? Mom Life Decisions

Hey there, Mommy 😊

Ah, the big question: should you start a business, get a job, or try juggling both? For moms like you and I, this isn’t just about paying bills. It’s about chasing our dreams, setting a positive example for the kids, and maybe, just maybe, finding five minutes to ourselves. (What’s that again?)

Let’s break this down, mom-style.

🪻There’s Option 1: Get a Job

The Pros for this one are strong, to say the least. 

First of all, there are steady paychecks.  The pay is reliable and even predictable, provided your employer is honest, and your company isn’t in the middle of a hectic financial crisis. This makes it easy to plan your life and set money- related goals – things like saving for a new house or a mini-van for school runs.

Then there are the benefits! Health insurance, or Medical Aid, maybe even free coffee in the breakroom, and on occasion, free meals and allowances for work-related trips and conferences. 

Thirdly, you have a definite clock out time – most times. Work’s done at 5, and you don’t have to think about it until tomorrow. I can’t tell you how precious this was for me when I first got married and had my first child. I made a clear rule to never bring work home so that I could give my family undivided attention every evening.

To top it all off, if you’re a social butterfly like me, you’ll love the camaraderie and social interaction that comes with working with different clients and colleagues on a daily basis. I always found that part of work very refreshing- catching up with each other after weekends or holidays, exchanging funny stories about our families, and generally having fun. Some of the best friendships I ever made began at work. I believe that the time away from home actually made me a better mom and wife when I got back to my family.

And then there are the cons:

You’re building someone else’s dream – all day, every day. Your million-dollar business idea stays on hold while you chase deadlines and try your best to stay loyal to the company vision. You’re left to wonder, “What if??”day in, and day out.

Secondly, there will occasionally be some office drama. We all know that one coworker who’s always starting arguments and trying to throw others under the bus whenever the opportunity presents itself (looking at you, Karen).

And thirdly, you’ll have to deal with rigid hours. Try explaining a toddler tantrum to your boss during a Monday morning meeting, or rushing to your child’s Sporting event when you have hectic deadlines.

In summary, jobs are perfect for moms who love structure, enjoy predictability, and want to leave work at work (mostly).

🪻Then we have Option 2: Start a Business

Just like Option 1, the Pros here are massive.

For starters, you have unlimited freedom and are your own boss. You have the luxury of working in your pyjamas at the kitchen table while eating cornflakes. You also get to choose your work hours – to a large extent.

A business also gives you the precious opportunity to pursue your passion and actually prove to yourself that you can do it. You get to focus on what lights you up and makes you come alive.

Thirdly, and possibly most importantly, legacy vibes. This is the biggest thing for me, and has been for the longest time. I’ve always wanted to start a business that provides great employment opportunities for those around me who are either underpaid or unemployed.  It’s also my dream to build a business that will provide stability and security to my kids when they are older. I’m not just running a business – I’m showing my kids how dreams are built.

And the cons – rather intimidating, to say the least.

There’s an unpredictable income.  Some months, you’ll feel like you’re well on your way to becoming the next billionaire, alongside Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, and others, like you might just end up filing for bankruptcy.

Secondly, it’s all on you – the entire business revolves around you – your time, effort, creativity, determination,  resources – everything.  If you don’t get up, dress up, and show up, the whole thing collapses. There are no sick days and no backup team. I literally had to shelve my coaching business for 9 months or so when I was pregnant with my second son because the morning sickness was a total nightmare, and I was working alone. 

And the work-life balance? That’s a luxury you might not be able to afford for a while – at least until you find your groove and get all your systems and strategies in place.

In a nutshell, owning a business is an answered prayer for moms who thrive on creativity, love a challenge, and are okay with a little (or a lot of) uncertainty.

🪻And finally, option 3: Do Both

This offers you the best of both worlds. Job = steady income. Business = your creative outlet. It’s a win-win.

Also, with a side hustle comes extra cash, ideally. You’re making money two ways, which is fabulous for your savings account!

Having a job additionally provides a much needed safety net in seasons where business might not be as great as you’d like. Your day job will put food on the table and keep the lights on while your business finds its footing.

And the disadvantages?
The most glaring of these is the issue of time. Between work, kids, and your side hustle, you might forget what rest feels like.

But for me, the challenge of divided focus especially stands out. If you’re not highly focused, with the self dicipline of a monk, trying to split your creativity between your work and business might prove difficult and lead to you getting a warning from your boss, at the very least. It’s hard to give 100% to two different things.

Then comes the burnout. I won’t get into the details here. You get the picture, mommy.

Having a job with a side hustle has been hailed in recent times as one of the greatest flexes for women ever. I’ve heard it said that every mom must aim for an average of 6 streams of income. This option will work well for moms who are multitasking queens and don’t mind a little chaos while chasing their dreams.

So, what’s the right choice?

Truthfully speaking, there’s really no “one size fits all” answer. It all depends on your goals, your finances, and how much energy you’ve got left after doing school runs, folding the laundry, cooking dinner, and helping the kids with their homework.

But, I will give you a cheat sheet to help simplify your choice:

•Get a job if stability and structure are your jam.

•Start a business if you’re ready to chase your dreams and embrace a little risk.

•Do both if you can handle the hustle and love the idea of having it all (and a backup plan).

No matter what option you choose, remember that you’re already a mom, which means you’ve got the hardest, most important job nailed. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

Now, go do your thing, Mama! You’ve got this. 💪🎉

XOXO

Nobsy Francisca 🌻