Starting a business and starting a family simultaneously can be a lot of work, but it can also be extremely rewarding if you have the right resources. Whether you’re building a unique and profitable home-based business or branching out into your community with a store or office space, you’ll need to have a fool-proof plan from start to finish to ensure that your professional goals and your parenting time have equal ground.
Know All the Things shares a few ways you can find work/life balance as you start a business while preparing for a new baby.
Write out a stellar business plan
The first step toward meeting your business goals is to write out a solid plan that details how you’ll run your company. It should include the number of employees you’ll have, where the business will be located, what type of products or services you’ll offer, how much funding you’ll require, and financial projections that will tell investors and lenders exactly what to expect. You’ll also need to figure out what your business structure will be; many small business owners go for an LLC, which limits their personal liability and provides tax benefits, but there are several options available depending on your needs.
Set up your workspace
You may already be nesting at home for the baby, but it’s important to also set up a great workspace for yourself. Once your business plan is complete and you have a solid understanding of what your schedule will be like, you can start preparing. Whether it’s a home office or an office building, having a dedicated place to get things done will help you focus and stay organized. It can be helpful to create a safe area for the baby in your office so you can keep him close, so think about what he’ll need. A feeding station, a place to store extra diapers and clothes, and a portable crib are all great tools for new parents who are trying to get things done.
Give yourself the tools for success
Now that you have a workspace that allows you to get things done while tending to the baby, it’s important to make your daily tasks as easy as possible to prevent stress. Running a business requires a lot of moving parts working seamlessly together, and hitting a snag along the way can be extremely frustrating. Investing in software for accounting, project management, customer relationship management, and invoicing can help streamline running a business and alleviate stress.
Parenting comes with helpful tools, too
When it comes to running a business and caring for a new baby at the same time, you’ll need to utilize more than just office tools. These days there are tons of gadgets and apps available to help new parents keep track of the baby’s milestones and feeding times, keep the baby entertained and safe, and even help him sleep better. Take a look at the latest technology available for parents and utilize a few of them to make your days go much more smoothly.
New parents have a lot to juggle, and many products exist to make their lives easier. A great example is a hands-free pumping bras which makes it easy to pump while multitasking. Other essential items include baby monitors, changing pads, car seat covers, and nursery organizers just to name a few. Shop around for products that are price conscious and multifunctional when possible.
Becoming a business owner while welcoming a new baby brings two major life changes together at once, which can be extremely overwhelming if you aren’t prepared. By utilizing the right gadgets, investing in products like a nursing bra, setting up a workspace, writing out a stellar business plan, and using free online tools and software, you can make the entire process much easier.
Featured photo by Yan Krukau