Did anyone else start a business on maternity leave?

[Inneedofanewwardrobe]

I've had so much time to think having had a baby in lockdown and have been on so many walks and listened to a lot of podcasts that I've decided to properly try and set up a business. I'm feeling a bit nervous but feel like if I don't try I'll regret it forever. I'll probably never have this much free time again either.

Not on maternity leave no but I have been thinking about setting up a low scale business and I'm on the cusp of doing so. I'm not sure how this will affect your maternity pay...will you have to return to work to claim this?

For me, I don't currently have to worry about my lack of income (I have been a sahm for years now) but have worked previously and I think this is me trying to do something different (previously had various admin jobs).

What sector are you thinking of working in and timescale? New baby will likely involve sleepless nights etc. this is not to say dismiss the idea, just give yourself a bit of time perhaps. I am attracted to the idea of flexibility but I'm under no illusions that working for myself is going to take more time than I've accounted for. Like you, it is something I want to at least try and not have regrets.

Hi I am on maternity leave already, five months in.
I'm in the UK and you can freelance and it doesn't affect maternity pay.
Baby is a good sleeper now and I have time that I can spend on this.

Inneedof

You sound in a great position to give it a go. I can understand your nervousness (I feel a lot of this currently) but it sounds as if you will be doing something related to your current job.

My biggest fear is failure. At the moment I haven't got a plan B as such...I guess for you, now is a great time to give it a go because you have got a plan B (which you hopefully won't need). Good luck.

@Theatic I have days where I'm like yes I can do this, and have huge dreams of where it could go, then other days where I think it's kind of imposter syndrome. I'm spending a lot of time at the mo looking into competitors and what's currently out there.

I know the imposter syndrome well. I have written a novel and I am waiting to self publish but I am crippled by the imposter syndrome. I will do it...I've promised myself. Ask yourself what is the worst that can happen? For me it's the fear of failure...not trying isn't failing exactly but I will never know whether the opposite could happen and there could be an element of regret bound up in that. I saw some jobs advertised today and I thought oh, I could apply for those...admin type jobs except the hours are too long for what I want around dc. I want to find out if I can do this (have my own small business) my energies aren't enough for both things...so I'm going to try my own small business, I feel more committed to this by trusting my instinct.

Another option perhaps, is to run the self-employed work around your paid work (by perhaps going part-time in your paid work to accommodate this under the guise that you have a small child to care for). Then if things take off, you can relinquish your paid employment. This is going to be easy for you unless you have a good support network re. childcare etc. but is doable. I have very little support which is the main reason I gave up work in the first place and still looking for something to base around dc. I'm hoping I've struck on the answer.

I know what you mean. I'm quite a perfectionist and feel like at some point I do just need to make the leap! It is an option for me to return to work part time so that's the best of both worlds I suppose, bit of a safety net. You should definitely publish your book!!

Just bumping this

I would go for it!
I quit my job when I was around 20 weeks pregnant with my DD (hated my retail job of 8 years and really wanted to start my own business working from home) spent the rest of my pregnancy buying the tools I needed and sorting out my social media/business pages.
DD is a year old and now I've finally found my feet being a mum, I'm going to put a few hours a day/evening into finally getting my business off the ground. (My business is handmade jewellery).
DH has a steady income that we can survive on without me working but the extra income from my business would change alot! Plus it gives me something of my own to focus on! 😊

I keep swinging from feeling like I have a great idea to it's going to be a massive flop.

I guess you dont know til you try it? Would you have to put much money into it to begin with? If so, is it going to be worth it?

@MyGrassIsBrowner yes it will need some investment, mainly a website since I think that will make the difference to people using my services or not.

I've decided on a brand name and in the process of having my website built, exciting.

@Inneedofanewwardrobe that's fantastic OP! Congratulations and good luck! 😁

@MyGrassIsBrowner thank you! How's things with you?

@Inneedofanewwardrobe I'm well thank you! Currently running round after my 1 year old with baby no.2 on the way so it's a bit of a mad house at the moment 🤣

I have had some advice about setting my own business up and there are lots of projects that offer grants for start ups in my area so it's something I'm going to look into in the near future 😁

[quote MyGrassIsBrowner]@Inneedofanewwardrobe I'm well thank you! Currently running round after my 1 year old with baby no.2 on the way so it's a bit of a mad house at the moment 🤣

I have had some advice about setting my own business up and there are lots of projects that offer grants for start ups in my area so it's something I'm going to look into in the near future 😁[/quote]
Ooo what kind of help is available? I only came across the Princes Teust but I'm too Old!

Hi OP,

Interested in how you are getting along. I have a business which I started a number of years ago but has only really stabilised in the past few years.

I am now TTC no 1 and wondering how feasible this will be with the business. Interested to hear how you get along.

Hi @LemonSwan what kind of business? Did you do it on top of your day job? I'm on maternity leave and actually didn't really plan to start a business it was just having so much time to think these past few months with nothing to do, lots of time spent walking around with my baby in her pram and a lot of podcasts!

@Inneedofanewwardrobe The company local to me only covers my town but I found out about it through Universal Credits as me and my DH both claim. They said they can advise on business start up grants etc. But as I've now got baby no.2 on the way I'm going to spend my time really putting some plans into place and sorting my branding out/website etc.
I'm going to make jewellery, particularly working with polymer clay and resin. What sort of business are you looking to start up?

@Inneedofanewwardrobe

Its a landscape design business. I do it on top of a PT job which is more for the joy than the money.

I just dont know how much spare time I will have, how tired I will be etc.

Mine is going to be a coaching business, aimed at students looking for jobs. I should be seeing my logo later today. Excited.

Oh gosh. First logo was awful. Not on the same page at all!

This is an interesting thread so bumping. I have just gone back to work after maternity leave and do have a side business but I've been a bit lazy at promoting it.