Give Yourself Ample Time to Learn – Before you even make it official, take several months to study different methods related to the niche you want to go into. There’s a steep learning curve in becoming an entrepreneur, and you are raising a family in addition to learning the new skills involved with building a business.

So, after you’ve studied your options, pick one that you like – or think you’ll like. Then do it. Follow the plan for several months and stick with the techniques, tactics and methods that you’ve decided on.

I jumped in head first when I opened my first business and I had to learn the hard way. This time around, I took my time to research different business models to see what makes the most sense for my own lifestyle.

 

Separate Household and Business Expenses – Is everything all thrown together? Your money, your hubby’s money? The grocery budget and family vacation? Separate your budget for the business from the family. It’s too easy to mix it all up and use money from the wrong purpose, leaving something short.

While there are real legal and tax benefits, the impact on your mind-set is even more important. Setting up accounts dedicated to your business means it’s real, and more important than just a hobby. In fact, most of your income should be saved. You’ll have taxes to pay, and possibly help to hire (like a virtual assistant or accountant).

Even when I did separate my finances, it was hard not to dip into one account to help out with the other. I’d advise you don’t do this because it’s hard to account for it, and can become a bad habbit.

Set Expectations for the Kids – You have to be clear about what you want from your family, and especially your children before you try to get them to cooperate. If you aren’t clear about your expectations of their behaviors, then you can’t expect them to know or understand how you need them to behave. New schedules aren’t easy for most people, kids included. So, setting up the schedule ahead of time, having it written down where both you and they can see it will help keep you on track.

If you work while they are home, set up times and find a system that lets them know not to interrupt you when you are working. That could be a certain time of day, when the door to the office is closed, or when your headphones are on and you are at the computer.

This goes for your partner too. Set clear boundaries, and you’ll find them easier to follow and enforce.

Times that may work well for working on your business include early in the morning before the kids wake up, late at night after they’re in bed or during the day when they’re in school. Nobody said having your own business was going to give you more sleep!

When I went to coaching school last year, I talked it over with my family and then explained that my classes were virtual through the computer and headset and that they would be at various times during the week, but I also promised to only take one or two night classes.

Network with Other Mompreneurs – Being in business for yourself is lonely enough. Doing it from home can be even more isolating. Try to find other WAHMs and Dads who you can chat with both locally and virtually.

There are forums, groups and social networks where you can find others with similar interests who can help keep you sane as a business owner and as a parent.

Find a MeetUp for your town that hosts business topics, or mommy day outs. Get your support where you can.

So, use your “start up excitement” to your advantage and put the energy it brings into setting up systems and structures that will  help you stay on track even after the initial jolt of fun and adventure wear off. Stay flexible, yet don’t give up too early on what you’ve put into place.

 To  help you out with your own Survival Kit, I’ve made a package of downloadable, printable forms that will help you start your business and track your business as it grows. Get the Idea Evaluation Worksheet for free right now. 

Did I miss anything? Tell me what you’ve done to manage your life and work at home career. 

BusyBodyBook Wall Calendar 14" x 22.5" 2 week view

I’m not sure how much you can actually see in my photo, but that is 2 weeks worth of planner. On the top page, my child crossed off the days she had gotten through. She also crossed out the days her sister, her gramma and I had gotten through. It became a bed time activity.

There are 7 rows for up to 7 people and the days of the week move down from the left side of the page. So, when we wrote out our schedules, My youngest, my oldest, my, and my mom’s days are listed from left to right.

The girls’ days are marked with school, after school activities, groups and even what type of school day it is. (ie: art, music, gym)

My days are marked with work and doctor appts. or case management meetings.

This way, we see what each of us has and how to schedule each thing.

7-column UNdated BBB Weekly Grid Pad 11 x 8-1/2,

This is a work schedule for me when it comes to working on line. Since I run (not always smoothly) 3 businesses and help out with a women’s business group, I found that I wasn’t always getting things done. Even with the help of lists, my to do list was falling short.

So, this weekly calander which could be used like the bigger one above has worked pretty well for scheduling my writing and business tasks.

I’m at home working on blogs and makeup about 3 days out of the week. This helps me remember what needs done first plus it has a handy notes section on the side for added reminders of what or where I need to post.

My overall opinion of the Busy Body Book products is great. It is super to see all our activities together next to each other. Why didn’t I think of this myself?! Joan, the owner, is also very nice to work  through emails.

I was sent these products in exchange for testing and reporting on my experience with them. I am in no other way associated with the products or company and my opinions of the products are only based on my personal experience.