Jean L. Serio

You're not alone if you're trying to transition from stay at home mom to running your own business. Today there are tons of women, out there, just like you. And like you, they're often questioning themselves. Taking a serious look at all things that must be considered -- before making the move that formally transitions them from full-time mother and homemaker to business owner.

Here are 5 important things to consider before trying to make that transition.

1. Have you discussed your business start-up plans with your husband or significant other?

While your husband or significant other may be unconcerned about changing your brand of makeup, they're likely to be very concerned about something as important and life-changing as you starting up a business. Both it's affects on your financial situation, and on your family.

Most women, when thinking about doing something as big as starting up a business, will start out by talking about it with their husband or significant other. Even if you have, it's important to review and address any of their concerns. To get them on the table and aired right from the start. Your husband or significant other may bring up concerns you haven't yet thought of, which could make you think differently about how and when to go about your start up. Once you've discussed and cleared these up, you have a better chance of getting their blessing and bringing them on board. It's essential to have them rooting for you, or helping, rather than discouraging you and putting down your plans.

For a business to be successful, you must have the ability to work at it daily, without constant interruption from family. While we all have moments when the business or cel phone rings and it's our spouse or significant other carrying on about a mini family crisis, if you prepare your husband or significant other well enough, and expect the best of them, within in reason you'll get it. If not, your once positive attitude will turn black, and your new business will become like a millstone around your neck. It's in your best interests to get your spouse on board, from day one.

2. How will your children react to your decision and absence?

It's one thing to be gone for a day or two, another to be gone full time daily, or days at a time on business trips. How will the loss of your attention, and time, affect your children? Are they old enough and independent enough to handle it. Or will their emotions wreck havoc on your life and business? Will anger and emotional outbursts become the rule, rather than the exception?

Once you decide there's a strong possibility you'll start your own business, it's best to have a family gathering including the children to discuss it and possible changes you'll all need to make. Serious changes like this can easily throw children into a tailspin. The secure, organized world they know is about to dissolve into one filled with the insecurity of daily change, plus loss of attention, affection and stability they've come to rely on.

While it's essential to get your spouse or significant other on board with your business decision, it's mandatory to get what amounts to the OK of your children if you want this to work. Once you've had the initial meeting about the business, begin talking about these changes, making discussion of them a regular part of your day. If you've done this enough, once your business doors are open, your children are well aware and ready for any new changes to take place. Remember to consider all options. It might be possible to ease your way into your new business, spending more and more time way from home.

Make changes that are simple and comfortable for them, which disrupt their lives as little as possible. If they're old enough, talk openly with them, asking their input. Talk to other parents who have businesses. How did they and their family deal with this change?

3. Scheduling for your children

How will your children get to school and picked up. How will they be ferried to after-school activities and other functions? This, alone, can be the most difficult to organize and perhaps the most traumatizing. Especially if you've been the primary care-giver and chauffeur.

Again, consider all possibilities. Brainstorm with friends and relatives to set up the best possible scenario for your children. Don't even think about trying to deal with this once your business is up and running and you're busy with dozens of other details.

Bottom line: Allay your children's fears. Let them know how things have been organized. Remind them how much you love them. Assure them you're going to work and only a phone call away if they need you. You might even consider buying them a cel phone if it makes them feel more secure.

4. What compromises must you make with your family?

Only when you actually have a business do you realize you are responsible for everything. Unless you have partners, you make all the decisions. And in the beginning you may wind up working all the necessary hours to get the business off the ground. Are you willing to cancel occasional dinner plans, a scheduled gathering with kids and family, even an vacation, to handle business that suddenly comes up. Will your husband, significant other and children accept these changes of plan? Or will your business wreck havoc on your family life?

5. Are you and your family emotionally prepared for this transition?

Remember, you've been Ty's or Jody's mom and Bob's wife all these years. Then suddenly your dreams have become reality and you're a new business owner. You're chatting with prospective clients, running meetings, talking with investors, flying out to make client presentations. You're creating strategies, developing new products and dozens of other important things. Not only are these entirely different scenarios then what you may be used to, they're also emotionally different situations bringing you an entirely different level of stress. Which you don't want to bring home to your family. Are you prepared for that?

And on the other hand does your family understand how important this is to you and emotionally accepting of your status of business owner?

One last word....

When you make the transition to captain your own businesses, it goes without saying your life will change. In some cases dramatically. And if your family is on board, you've organized the changes necessary to allay their fears and make them comfortable with them, you can confidently take the helm of your business from the moment of it's inception. With family and friends watching as you expertly maneuver it out of the busy harbor, cheering when you guide it onto the open seas of success.

Jean L. Serio, Copyright 2007. Are you one of the 1.2 million women tired of working the 9-5 grind, sick of worrying about making ends meet? Starting your own business still remains one of the best strategies for providing you financial freedom. Discover how to start your business today, with your own simple, step-by-step Action Plan. To ensure you receive all details FREE, and learn how you can harness the power of other successful women plus get hundreds of resources you need to start up, first sign up for your Free Report "Start Up A Business Today" go to: www.womensmarketingandbusinessnetwork.com "We help you make it happen".

Return to: Article Index