Being a business owner and a mom doesn’t have to be an either-or situation. In today’s post, I’m sharing what it really looks like to run an online business as a mom, where your hours are limited, your time is precious, and your kids always come first.
If you’ve ever wondered how to grow your business while being a present, intentional mom — especially working part-time hours — this is for you.
I’ll walk you through how I built this current version of my business while becoming a mom, how I structure my work weeks, what’s helped me keep momentum (even during the baby years), and the mindset shifts that made the biggest difference.
Links Mentioned in this video:
What My Business Looked Like Before Motherhood
Before I ever became a mom, I had already been a business owner for close to seven years. My business originally started in photography — both shooting and educating — and then slowly evolved into digital products and online education. Right before I got pregnant with my twins, I had just launched my first product for non-photographers and watched my YouTube channel begin to grow.
That season of growth lit a fire in me — I made $4K from two small product launches, followed by $40K from a mini course on Instagram Reels. All while being newly pregnant with twins. I realized I wanted to run with this new direction, and that this business model could actually work — even with a baby (or two!) on the way.
What It Looked Like to Run a Business with Newborn Twins
The early days of motherhood and business were nothing short of messy. My husband still worked a traditional 9-to-5, and we didn’t have a ton of extra help. I was the primary caretaker, nursing twins, working in the pockets of my day — during naps, after bedtime, or on weekends when my husband could step in. My business was in a highly automated phase, and I had an assistant to help with the backend, which was a game changer.
But even with support, I had to be ruthlessly focused. I had a long to-do list, but I learned to only prioritize what actually moved the needle. There was no room for fluff. That clarity forced me to simplify and get laser-focused on what mattered most.
The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything
One of the hardest — but most powerful — shifts I had to make was giving myself permission to work, even if one of my babies was awake. That might sound small, but for me, it was huge. As a new mom, I felt like I needed to be the one doing everything. But learning to let my husband take over and trusting that time spent on my business didn’t make me any less present was the shift I needed.
From there, I began categorizing tasks: what absolutely required uninterrupted time, and what I could do with my kids nearby. For example, I need quiet to film videos, but I can answer messages or listen to trainings while my kids are playing or during chores. Once I saw the difference, it was so much easier to communicate what I needed — and when I needed it.
The Decision That Changed Our Family Rhythms
Eventually, we hit a fork in the road. Either I’d keep squeezing my business into the cracks of my week while my husband worked full time, or we’d restructure our life. In 2023, we made a big shift: when we moved to South Carolina, my husband quit his 9-to-5, and we created a rhythm where we could both be home. He took on more childcare and home tasks, and I began working three days a week — usually six to seven hours a day — and taking the rest of the week completely off.
Now, he’s with our kids while I work, and he even helps with parts of the business like editing and backend operations when needed. We still flex our schedules when needed, but we’ve found a system that works beautifully for this season.
Why I Stick to 20 Hours a Week (and How That’s Helped My Business)
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that I don’t want to work more than 20 hours a week. When I go beyond that, I start feeling burnout creep in. But when I stay within that boundary, I’m more focused, more productive, and my business actually grows faster. Why? Because I’m only doing what actually matters — and I’m showing up from a place of energy and purpose.
I’ve built my business to support that pace through three main strategies:
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Eliminating what doesn’t need to be done at all
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Outsourcing what I don’t need to do myself (like video editing, admin, and customer support)
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Automating everything I can (emails, workflows, templates, even AI tools)
These have helped me keep things light and sustainable — while still growing.
Simplifying Your Business to Keep It Light
If there’s one takeaway I’d give to any mompreneur, it’s this: your business should feel light. Not necessarily easy all the time, but light enough that you’re not carrying the whole weight of it on your shoulders every single day. Whether that’s through hiring help, building workflows, or using automation and AI — your goal is to create a business that supports your life, not the other way around.
If you want more practical ideas on what you can automate, delegate, or eliminate, I actually created a free Passive Income Guide that lists it all out — I’ll link it below so you can grab it.
Be Flexible — Your Business Will Shift with Each Season
The truth is, your business will look different in each season. And that’s not just okay — it’s a good thing. The way you work will shift from baby to toddler to big-kid stage. It’ll shift with your energy, your family’s needs, your offers, and your growth. So give yourself permission to adapt. To change. To grow at your own pace.
Whether you’re preparing to become a mom or are already in the thick of motherhood while growing your business, remember this: slow growth is still growth. Working part time is still valid. And the business you’re building — even in the margins — is still worth showing up for.
You’re doing better than you think. And it’s absolutely possible to run a thriving business while being a present mom.
Looking for ways to make your business feel lighter while still growing?
Grab my free Passive Income Guide to get a full breakdown of what to automate, delegate, and streamline in your business. It’s packed with ideas to help you create more space and less stress — without slowing down your growth.
And if you want to dive into the exact content strategy I’m using right now, I’ve got a recent video on that too — head to the description to watch it next!
You’ve got this, mama. I’m cheering for you.
