It’s a battle that most entrepreneurs face at some point — how do you raise a family while pushing your business through hyper-growth? I’ve been there, done that, and I want to share my expert advice on successful parenting as you grow your business at the same time.
Despite what some may believe, it’s not about choosing between being a business owner or being a parent. And I can say this with confidence, because I’m a proud member of the dad-preneur club.
So how do I do it? Here are five lessons I’ve learned in finding my own balance.
You Need to Delegate
Learning to let go is the only way to manage increasing work and life demands. At work, this means showing confidence in your team’s abilities by letting them take the steering wheel. But how could you trust anyone but yourself?
It starts with hiring. Find people who are not only independent and able to take charge, but who also share your values and style. This way, things get done the way you’d do them. On the flip side, if you keep doing everything yourself, you’re only holding your business back by not utilising the talent you already hired.
Asking for help at home gives your family the opportunity to show support, while also opening the door for them to ask the same of you. For smaller tasks like tidying, create a chore chart. And for things like gardening and tutoring the kids — what is really worth your time? Find tasks you can outsource and, if it makes sense, go for it.
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Use Family as Inspiration
After my last company was acquired, I found inspiration in my family. I realised that family inspires me to work harder and persevere through obstacles. That’s what led me to build my next business venture around family and keeping families connected.
With the support and happiness it brings, family is what allows me to thrive as an entrepreneur. It shouldn’t be viewed as a barrier to growth for entrepreneurs. Instead, family should become the reason to get out of bed every morning, ready to turn dreams into reality.
Take Care of Your Health
For entrepreneurs juggling the increased demands of work and life, health is usually first on the back burner. Down the road, this leads to problems in all aspects of your life — business included.
Growing a business on top of a growing family demands mental and physical strength. If you notice yourself feeling moody and fatigued, it may be time for a diet and lifestyle change. Besides the physical benefits, taking care of your body creates a mental shift towards feeling better about yourself. And as that feeling builds, it gives you the fuel you need to get through your daily to-do list.
Health is your vehicle to be great. Without it, you don’t have the means to get anything done. But with a healthy body and a healthy mind, you become unstoppable.
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Be Fully Present
How good are you really at separating your role as CEO from your role as parent? How effectively do you compartmentalise these two parts of your life?
Achieving a balance between the two means finding the “on” and “off” switch for each role and never trying to be both at once. This means when you’re at work, you should be completely focused on work — stay on task and get everything done, knowing that at the end of the day, your family deserves your full attention.
When it’s family time, put the work aside. No more checking emails or worrying about tomorrow’s presentation. Be fully present. Your family deserves it.
Look at Your Calendar
Sometimes the easiest way to prioritise is by inspecting your calendar. Is there a balance between your work and family life? If not, consider what’s important — hint: it’s your family.
The life of a mom-preneur or dad-preneur is a race against time. Your calendar is a reflection of how well you’re managing that race. Proper time management keeps you on pace.
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Raising kids while you grow your business is no easy feat, but if you keep these lessons in mind, you’ll find your footing. Always remember that life isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. So when, despite your best efforts, you find yourself on the wrong side of the work-life equation, remember what parenting coach Sue Atkins said: “there is no such thing as a perfect parent, so just be a real one.”
How do you manage the work-life balance and find time to grow your business? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it really possible to balance parenting and running a growing business?
Yes — though “balance” rarely means an even split every day. Most successful parent-entrepreneurs describe it more as a rhythm: fully focused at work during work hours, and fully present with family the rest of the time, rather than trying to do both at once.
What’s the first thing to change if work is taking over family time?
Start with delegation. Look honestly at what only you can do versus what someone else — at work or at home — could take off your plate. Freeing up even a few hours a week can make a noticeable difference.
How do I stop checking work emails during family time?
Treat it as a habit to build rather than a rule to enforce on yourself. Set a clear “off” point in your calendar, put your phone out of reach, and let your team know you’re unavailable during that window. It gets easier with practice.
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Save This for Later
Juggling work and family isn’t a one-and-done job — it’s something you’ll keep fine-tuning. Bookmark this article or share it with a fellow parent-entrepreneur who could use the reminder.
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