Birthing two babies at once: a human and a business

Lessons from a decade raising a child and growing businesses

Ten years ago, exactly three weeks before having my second child, I decided to start my own company, leaving my secure job and jumping into the role of an entrepreneur, one that deep down I always knew I wanted to do. But being a mom and an entrepreneur simultaneously is both liberating, exhausting at times, and truly just plain tough.

Both roles demand attention, dedication, and a ton of emotional energy. As I've navigated this delicate balance for the last decade, I have learned a lot, and I am still learning. However, here are four things that have made my life easier:

1. Embracing the Unstable Equilibrium: One of the first lessons I learned was to accept the inherent instability of balancing motherhood and one's business. I had a coach early on that taught me a key simple fact that I needed to accept: if I am focused on my business, my kids will lack my attention. If I am focused on my kids, my business will also hurt (or at least grow slower). Accepting that it's okay to prioritize one over the other at different times has brought a sense of peace and clarity. And watching back how over the years the focus ebbs and flows (even changing each week) has made it much easier to learn.
2. Conquering the Calendar Conundrum: Managing time and calendars has been both my greatest challenge and my most significant mental exertion. Balancing school pickups, client meetings, and doctor visits often feels like solving a complex puzzle. However, I've discovered that setting some time on Sunday afternoon to look at the whole week and planning it with intention has helped with the chaos. However, I also need to be realistic and plan for flexibility (which was an extra lesson for me!) If a coach decides to change the time and location of volleyball practice on the same day, I must expect it and not let it throw me into an adult tantrum.
3. The Power of Delegation: In both motherhood and business, the ability to delegate tasks is paramount. I admit delegating in motherhood came with a great deal of guilt at times. But I have learned that just as I train and entrust responsibilities to my team at Scalto , delegating household chores and sharing more with my husband or hired help has made a huge difference. Recognizing that I can't do it all and relinquishing control (and stopping the guilt that comes with not being the one cooking dinner every night) has alleviated my burden.
4. Leading by Example: I once asked my father how he managed to keep me and my siblings out of trouble and he just said, "I just tried to educate you by example." And this is something that I have come back to often. Whether in business or parenthood, my actions speak louder than words. Demonstrating resilience, determination, and integrity in my career is something I also do for my children, and when I see them imitate it, it is the greatest joy of my life. Ultimately, I've come to realize that the greatest legacy I can leave for my children is not just in words but in the way I live my life.

Balancing the roles of motherhood and entrepreneurship is undoubtedly challenging, but it's also immensely rewarding. Through the ups and downs, I've discovered invaluable lessons that have helped me grow both personally and professionally.

Every week I'm reminded that while the path may be full of obstacles (and sometimes exhaustion), it's worth the effort, pain, and sweat. No matter where I get in my professional life, at the end of the day, the business is also my baby. And no mother loses faith in their child, ever, right?