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Original poster

Starting a business before having a baby

74 replies

rumbles78 · 04/01/2018 21:08

I'm considering starting my own business but with a new family on the horizon I'm not sure if I'd be being foolish?
Having worked full-time for years I'm 99% sure I want to run my own business

Does anyone have any experience in this?

OP posts:

AbsMcGraw · 04/01/2018 23:49

@gingergenius I run a successful and profitable business that is not a hobby or boutique business in any sense of the definition. However, I am fortunate that my husband runs an even more successful business and we can afford to be without my income.

OhMyMirror · 04/01/2018 23:49

I started my business 6 years ago and fell pregnant a few weeks later. It was extremely difficult for almost 2 years (I also have 2 older dc). I built up a good client list during pregnancy but financially it was a blow having to take maternity leave at the end of my first year. My job is hands on so i couldn't work until I was healed and the baby was established bf wise. I found myself working through the night most weeks just to get orders out on time and I paid for it physically and mentally. If you are already in secure employment, I would recommend putting some money away and waiting until the baby is older. That would give you a bit to see you through the early months of your business if you decide to do it full time.

TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 04/01/2018 23:51

Do not wander on here giving advice to people who are self employed -and thus need to make a profit to keep a household afloat- if you're swanning around playing at shops with your husband's money.

HarrietSchulenberg · 04/01/2018 23:55

I started a business when ds2 was 4 months old. It was a good, solid business idea that would have worked very well if I'd already established it beforehand but I just didn't have the time to do the legwork for proper promotion with a small baby in tow. This was 15 years ago so pre the mass use of social media. It did generate a (very) small income but it never reached its potential as I just didn't have the time to promote it without paying for childcare.

gingergenius · 04/01/2018 23:59

@AbsMcGraw what @TrollTheRespawnJeremy said.

Running a profitable business is INCREDIBLY HARD with a newborn.

Unless you are monumentally supported by other people financially.

Which you are, apparently.

So let's get to the actual question: is it possible to start a business whilst I'm pregnant?
Answer: yes

The subtext being: am I likely to make my business profitable, with a newborn, having never done this before, having never run a business before and still have fulfilled, quality time with my child whilst the quids roll in?

Answer?: NO.

Too many variables mean that honestly, it's best to actually bond with your baby and start your business once you have an established childcare regime.

gingergenius · 05/01/2018 00:02

@HarrietSchulenberg snap!

halfbuffy · 05/01/2018 00:12

I second what PPs are saying, if I didn't have to work I absolutely wouldn't with a newborn. If I've had a busy week with clients then it's not uncommon for me to feel quite down and like I'm not doing either my job, or being a mum properly.

I didn't get the lovely newborn bubble as I was straight back on it and a lot of the time would be working and breastfeeding at the same time....pressing deadlines and cluster feeding definitely do not mix.

If you're going to do it then wait until the little one is old enough to be in an established routine so you know the windows you can work in. Then you can factor in time for play, feeding, weaning, naps etc and work round the baby. It's so difficult and you shouldn't take the decision lightly, but it can be achieved...especially if you're lucky enough to have a relatively chilled out baby.

gingergenius · 05/01/2018 00:15

That's the thing isn't is @halfbuffy rather like forest gump's box of chocolates ... you never know what you're gonna get!

AnonEvent · 05/01/2018 00:25

I have co-owned my business since 2012, I launched it with a business partner and we have 13 members of staff.

I got pregnant in 2016, by that time I’d saved a fair bit, and I’m so glad that I had.

I worked until my due date, I continued to take calls, and attend the odd meeting until DD was born (11 days late). I was the biggest, fattest persona on stage to win an industry award at 41 weeks.

We hired maternity cover, the business continued largely without me. I responded to a few emails a week, had two or three calls, and I’m not sure I could have done much more with newborn DD.

DD was an ‘easy’ baby, and still I couldn’t work anything other than very little.

I went back to work when DD was six months old, I simply couldn’t afford not to. My replacement was expensive, business was quieter than the year prior, we had to replace a senior member of the technical team. Circumstances colluded and the result was DH took the second half of my maternity leave (SPL). I resented going back to work when DD was so young (though SPL worked very well for us as a family).

Our business had been profitable for four years, it took a downturn that year, we lived in my savings for six months.

If you can afford not to make any money, with no risk to your family, then go ahead, but if you need money and stability, then consider it very carefully.

924s · 05/01/2018 00:27

I’m surprised at the unsupportive attitude of a few on here who seem happy to have a go at expecting, first time mums rather than offer proactive advice. I guess they tried and failed. Jealousy is an ugly thing.

By starting a suitable business (or switching to one that is more likely to work with a child), it is more than possible. You’ll need to be REALISTIC about your abilities, goals and the help you’ll need. I suspect the overly defensive people here were not.
Work out your start-up costs and the time you’ll need to put in to get the business up and running (then double them). Then work out the time you think you’ll have to dedicate to the business and the profit you expect to make (then halve them). If the numbers still work out, then go ahead and make a go of it! Best of luck!

halfbuffy · 05/01/2018 00:28

@gingergenius exactly! And that's not even taking into account the nights when sleep regression hits, or teething kicks off and it's all out the bloody window anyway!

Basically if you have stability in a job already then hold onto that with both hands and enjoy your baby in a relatively (from a work perspective) stress-free way.

AnonEvent · 05/01/2018 00:28

Person - I didn’t use my special stage ‘persona’ (unless that persona was Massively Pregnant Sweaty Bastard).

gingergenius · 05/01/2018 00:29

@924s
We have been proactive, practical and supportive. We've also been realistic. Because it's not moonlight and unicorn poop.

Because we've been there.

Or are you a sock puppet?

gingergenius · 05/01/2018 00:32

@924s and jealous?

I don't think so!

I get commissions across Europe.

I have run a profit every year for 6 years.

Give your head a wobble love!

924s · 05/01/2018 00:35

I don’t know what you mean by sock puppet? Rather than telling people they can’t start a business or can only run it because of someone else’s money, why not tell people what to do/not to do to make their business successful?

gingergenius · 05/01/2018 00:37

@924s then go for it. You don't need permission from jealous internet randomers!

924s · 05/01/2018 00:37

Wow! We all bow to you! Please tell us more about how successful you are and how we could never do it!

The OP asked for advice. Give constructive, supportive advice or don’t comment.

halfbuffy · 05/01/2018 00:37

@924s I think everyone is being realistic as well as supportive. I'm not going to sugarcoat it and just talk about the good bits of it. Yes it's amazing I get to spend all day with my baby, it's nice to be able to schedule my own days off and do things with her. Yes it's great that I have flexibility.

But...and it's a big old but...

I also have nights that I spend worrying that I haven't quite brought enough money in, but can't really go out canvassing for work or to new biz meetings because a lot of the time I can't take her...sure sometimes they say it's fine to bring her along and she sits there happy as Larry, but I don't want to be dragging her around.

Having to sort out my own work admin adds to the unbelievable mental load that comes with being a mum, and if you get it wrong then the tax man isn't going to give you a break.

It's so hard and yes it's rewarding but it would be irresponsible to tell OP that it's a doddle and to go for it if my personal experience isn't that.

And I also work my arse off so it's not a case of me not trying.

gingergenius · 05/01/2018 00:39

@924s I did. Which you'd see, If you took the time to read my posts instead of clutching your pearls.

gingergenius · 05/01/2018 00:44

I'll repeat my previous statement. If tjecop (as I was) is determined to follow this path, there are very very good reasons to reconsider until her baby is a bit older.

If she has no choice, that is a different matter.

If she DOES have the choice it's advisable (and not just in my opinion) to give yourself time to come to terms with motherhood and work out your plans afterwards.

It's a painful path.

halfbuffy · 05/01/2018 00:49

^ this.

924s · 05/01/2018 00:49

No one is saying it’ll be a doddle but it is certainly possible. It depends a lot on the type of business, your experience, etc, etc. Many businesses fail when started without a child and many thrive with. That’s why I’ve tried to give the OP some pointers so she can make an educated decision on her own situation.

gingergenius · 05/01/2018 00:54

What pointers exactly @924s ?

Running a business alone is one thing.

Starting up a business a new mother is a totally different ballgame. You've spouted some generic advice but given nothing helpful regarding managing a new business and a newborn.

I apologise if I was a bit short with you. I'm keen to hear your suggestions.

How many businesses have you started with newborns in tow? If you don't feel the advice so far is helpful, what can you add?

924s · 05/01/2018 01:00

As I’ve said, a lot depends on the type of business, the person and the help they have. A former Fortune 500 CEO with lots of local family and a live-in nanny with be able to start a business in their sleep.
Someone who’s never worked a day in their life and has no support will most likely fail. Only the OP knows her situation so starting with generic, basic advise will give them something to think about and then come back with more detail if they want.

gingergenius · 05/01/2018 01:00

I'd also suggest discussing your ideas with your local chamber of commerce, as well as getting in touch with local business networks, ensuring your Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram feeds are regularly updated. Do you have someone who will be able to regularly add content to Tor website to keep it relevant for those nasty google bots and have you considered Facebook ads, google ads and google my business?

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