Are you sick of working long hours for no reward? Are you struggling to juggle work, a social life, and motherhood? Do you feel guilty getting home when the kids are already tucked up in bed? If so, you’re not alone. Trying to achieve a healthy work-life balance is a conundrum, which is difficult to crack for many women. If you are finding life difficult, there could be a solution. Could you set up your own business or take up a franchise opportunity and become your own boss?
The benefits of being your own boss
Being self-employed has many benefits for career-minded women. You have control of your daily schedule, you can choose your hours, and you reap all the rewards. It’s not easy being your own boss. But it does give you more flexibility. If you have children at school, for example, you can work around school runs. You can also work from home, which may solve childcare problems in the holidays. You sacrifice a salary when you become self-employed, but you could end up earning more. If your business takes off, the sky’s the limit.
Getting started
It’s daunting going it alone, especially if you’ve worked for an employer for a long time. Before you hand in your notice, make sure you have plans in place. What exactly are you going to do? How are you going to make people aware of your services? Where are you going to work? Many people who run their own business choose to work from home. If this is the case, you’ll need to design a dedicated workspace. It may seem viable to work from the kitchen table, but realistically, this won’t work in the long-term. You can pick up second-hand office furniture from sites like arnoldsofficefurniture.com. You don’t have to spend a fortune to create a stylish, comfortable office. For more inspiration, see some great design ideas.
If you’re starting a new business, it’s essential to make people aware of what you could offer them. You may have existing clients or contacts you wish to get on board. But you can also attract new customers and form new working relationships. There are many different approaches and methods you could use. Networking is great if you work in consulting, for example. If you’re a mobile hairdresser or a dog walker, flyering and posting local newspaper ads may be beneficial. If you’ve set up an online business, social media can help you generate leads quickly.
Managing your time
Running a business is time-consuming. This is why good time management skills and essential. Make sure you’re aware of planned events, and keep tabs on your daily and weekly schedules. Use apps on your phone, and carry a diary around with you. Learn to prioritize tasks, and organize your diary so that you have time out to relax.
Many of us struggle to establish a healthy balance between our careers and personal lives. Sometimes, you have to take a leap of faith and make changes. One option you may wish to explore is being your own boss. If this sounds appealing, spend some time planning and doing your homework. Form a strategy, manage your time and create a suitable workspace at home. Good luck!
