Ask any mom entrepreneur why she chose to become a business
owner and the answer most commonly heard is, "I wanted the freedom and
flexibility to be able to have the best of both worlds - to never have to
answer to anyone, but myself, and to share special moments with my
children."
Sounds wonderful in theory, but what you don't hear is the
other "F" in the equation...the "F" that can make or break
it in the entrepreneurial world.
How she is doing financially.
Is she able to keep her business and home afloat with her
revenue? Is she financially stressed
that she doesn't know when she'll receive her next paycheck? Is the stress affecting her marriage and her
relationship with her children? Does she
have family or a supportive partner that can help her get through the rough
patches in her business when finances are tight?
Like most things in life, being a mom entrepreneur or a
working mom is a complete catch 22. You
either sacrifice being with your family for a job that pays the bills and/or
goes to expensive full-time daycare where you see your children on weekends at
best, or you take the entrepreneurial leap of faith, make memories with your
family and figure out how best to support them with sometimes very little or no
money coming in.
It's not an easy road
to travel down, especially when the topic revolves around money.
As a mom entrepreneur, I deal with this issue,
constantly. It has been a topic of
discussion between my husband and I on more occasions than I care to count.
In fact, he recently asked me if I was going to quit all of
my businesses and go work for Southwest Airlines so we could get free
flights. Seriously? Yes, seriously.
So, do I give up everything I've worked hard for over 8
years for more financial stability and less time with my kiddos? Or, do I give it my all, know that
opportunities are limitless, and remember that no amount of money could ever
take me away from watching my children grow up?
This is the time they need ME!
It is such a
difficult and draining decision. One so
many mom entrepreneurs are challenged with.
When it all boils
down, the right decision of whether to be a mom entrepreneur or a full-time employee
depends on you and your family's situation, and providing the type of
support they need from you, whether financially or physically.
Personally, my decision was entrepreneurism and to forego
the steady paycheck, although on some days, steady does seem nice, but not all
days.
I chose to focus my attention 100% on my children who need
me more than ever (I have a 4 yr old son Caleb and an 11 month old daughter
Ellie.)
I chose to learn firsthand that when business is doing well,
it's not a free ticket to spend carelessly, but to prioritize my spending, and
save for the slow months, which all entrepreneurs know, do come when least
expected. (It's why Groupon is my best
friend.)
I chose to put faith in my ability, work harder than I ever
have in my entire life and show my children that I want the freedom and
flexibility even though my finances are a little, or maybe a lot, less
desirable than others' bank accounts.
But that's me.
Whatever your choice
is, know that it is the right choice, no judgment passed, and
that your decision to work for yourself or for someone else is not always your
final answer. It's okay to change your
mind later down the road because we can. Our gift is being able to adapt and take on
challenges as they come one day at a time.
Tisha thrives on being busy. She is the owner of Simply Put Marketing as well as Details Event Management, a full service marketing and event planning firm.
Being a mom entrepreneur is something Tisha is extremely
passionate about. In March 2009, she launched a monthly networking group
for mom entrepreneurs. In September 2010, she expanded on the idea and
founded The Mom-e Club to encourage, support and educate moms in every stage in their
business. The organization currently has chapters throughout Arizona and
California.
In November 2009, Tisha
made the decision to put her passion and event planning ability to good use by
creating an event that would celebrate mom entrepreneurs for their amazing
talent and dedication. Her first signature event, the “Mom Entrepreneur
of the Year” was an expo, cocktail reception and dinner award ceremony held on
Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the Hilton Phoenix East/Mesa in Arizona.
Tisha also debuted her first book When the Universe Throws a Curve Ball – How a mom
entrepreneur went from disappointment to living her passion that same day.
Tisha’s goal is to continue planning the “Mom Entrepreneur
Celebration” event every year while she continues to expand The Mom-e Club
throughout the nation. When she’s not assisting
clients with their next big marketing project or upcoming event, Tisha spends
time with her husband Sean, son Caleb, daughter Ellie, and boxer Diesel in
their Gilbert, Arizona home.
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