What are the top tips for running your baby classes while being present at home and raising your family? We’re joined by Caroline Marshall, the founder of Virtual Assistant agency, Upsource, who’s here to share her story and tips for doing just that.
Where My Business Began
I started my business almost five years ago, pregnant with our second child and main carer to our first in the thick of lockdown 2020. My career as an employee had stalled after motherhood, redundancy was shortly followed by furlough and despite fierce ambitions, things were looking uncertain.
Deciding to take control of my future, I launched my business, Upsource, from my kitchen table. I went from one client at launch, to fully booked with a team of five VAs when I went on maternity leave six months later. Now, we’re a multi-award-winning team of 30 expert VAs.
Here are 10 things that I’ve learnt about building a business while having a family. Hopefully, you can take some of my learnings and put them in place for your classes!
1. Start With A Plan
Once I’d decided to go for it with my business, the first thing I did was create both a business plan and a financial plan. I still refer back to them now. They are my North Star to guide business decisions. They will act as your roadmap, helping you stay focused on your goals and adapt when challenges or opportunities come up.
It was also really helpful in getting buy-in from friends and family; they could see I was taking my business seriously, so they took it seriously too.
2. Be Practical
Starting and growing your classes is a big step, and, it goes without saying, that when you’re pregnant or raising kids, there’s even more to consider beyond ‘Can I make this a business?’ Ask yourself, what do I need to earn, want to earn, and what would be a dream to earn?
Think about the time you have available, what your feasible working hours are, and ask if building a business is realistic in that time. I signed up to a gym for the creche, and the creche only, so I could get some more hours on the business. I think I worked out once every couple of months.
3. Who Is On Your Team?
Who are your stakeholders? Both personal and business; your partner/co-parent, childcare, grandparents who help out. You might be a solopreneur but your classes will be a team effort, make sure you’re communicating with your support system.
4. Find Your People
Finding a community of mums and founders has been absolutely key for me. Not only to learn from, to share my own lessons with, but for the support, celebration and camaraderie. It is such a relief to have women to turn to who just ‘get it’. Whether online, in person, via the school gates or networking, find your people.
If you’re in the assistant world – Upsource has a community Substack, The Agenda, to help you find your people, as well as industry news and resources.
If you’re a class provider and are listed on Happity, then you can join our free community Facebook group! Where like-minded class providers are all there to network and ask questions about the runnings of their classes.
5. Delegation Is A Mindset
It will come as no surprise as the founder of an outsourcing agency, that I am a huge fan of delegating. Free yourself from the ‘only I can do this’ mindset, as it is very rarely true. Delegating is a skill and a muscle, it takes work but it’s worth it.
Even if you’re not planning on a big team, or team at all, you will need help. That might be in your business, graphic design, accounting, social media, or it could be at home, childcare, cleaning, laundry. Any help is valuable and important help.
6. Set Your Boundaries
If you always want to do the school run or be there for bathtime, that’s great. If you want to commit to three hours of work on your classes three days a week, wonderful. State your non-negotiables and stick to them.
Defining what matters most to you and letting go of the rest will help you stay present and focused on what you’re doing without feeling like you’re making too many compromises.
7. Be Realistic With Your Expectations
Comparison is never a good thing. This is especially true if you’re comparing your classes to others who might have more time/childcare/support. You’re probably not working full-time business hours, so lower your expectations and congratulate yourself on how much you can achieve in short focused bursts of time (while your kids are at school).
Childcare is a full-time Job. Don’t fall for what you see on social media, building a baby/toddler class business whilst parenting full-time just doesn’t work. You need space to do and be both.
8. Say Goodbye To ‘Mum Guilt’
If your kids are still small, like mine, you will question yourself and your priorities. You might feel guilty. Let it go. Your business is an investment in your family’s future. You are setting an incredible example of work ethic, ambition and resilience for your kids.
9. Prioritise Yourself
You are not superwoman, although I’m sure you look great in a leotard. We cannot be there for everyone, all the time. It’s easy to get lost in the passion for your work, to prioritise your family’s needs over your own. But you are the foundation of your family and your classes.
Make time for rest, for learning and for fun. Make yourself a priority, even if it just takes 10 minutes out of your day.
10. Celebrate Your Wins, Learn From ‘Failures’
Every win, no matter how small, deserves recognition. It will keep you motivated and feeling like you have momentum. When things don’t go to plan, see it as a lesson, not a failure. Building a business while raising a family can be a rollercoaster, but it is absolutely worth it.
With the right mindset, preparation, and most importantly, support, you can create an incredible baby / toddler class business. It will be messy, and wonderful, but that’s all part of the journey.
Thanks to Caroline – Upsource
Caroline Marshall is the founder of multi award winning Virtual Assistant agency, Upsource, host of the Bump to Business Owner Podcast for female founders raising families, and mum to two boys.
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