It’s been a tough week this week – probably not helped by the decision less than a week ago to do this series of six blogs… not realising just how much time it would actually take! The “mummy-guilt” has been rife and the exhaustion has been high, but I always think when there seem to be a million hurdles in the way – then it’s almost definitely worth doing! So, here we go…
When I first became a VA, I read a lot of articles, blogs, did a few online training courses and asked advice from other VA’s, and one of the most important things I learnt was to find a niche, and play to my strengths. Either the kind of business or industry I wanted to work with, or specific support I could offer businesses. I honestly had no idea what kind of business I would work best with, so I just looked at what I was good at and have been offering four specific areas ever since.
I’ve met other VA’s who specifically support photographers, or some who have a background in accounts, so just focus on book keeping etc. Some just focus on health and medical businesses because they have a background in that, but I just wasn’t sure where I fit, so I continued just offering four specific services.
Over the past few weeks it’s come to me. Since joining MIBA Lancashire and North Manchester Networking group, plus other groups for mums who have businesses, I feel like I’ve seen the light. Being a mum and running a business can be hard. I’ve seen that first hand. We can feel like we’re being split in a hundred different ways!
I write a journal most nights. It just clears my head from all the day’s events, and processes any un-dealt-with thoughts that might keep me awake! (It really does work to help me sleep better!) Last night was no different. I’d had a hugely busy day, which can sometimes leave me feeling very overwhelmed and anxious! So, I wrote down everything that felt like it was splitting me into pieces!
Work – fitting new clients into my schedule whilst still carrying on the work for my regular clients, quotes I needed to give, my own admin, invoices, promoting my business, finishing my blogs for this coming week! Kids – school events to remember, costumes to get ready, homework to do, SATS to prepare for, reading with 2 children at 2 different levels, spellings, regular maths exercises – plus somewhere in there spend quality time and have fun with them! Home – housework, cooking, cleaning, shopping, filing, keeping on top of finances etc. A husband I need to spend time with. Me time! Chilling and relaxing! Others – fitting in time to see friends and family. My church – wanting to get more involved there too!
You can see why I was overwhelmed, but also, I’m sure you will have felt very much the the same at certain points! So what better way to find my niche, than in an area I understand so well; focussing on other mums who run businesses and just need that little bit of help juggling! I’ve had a dream for many years of opening a centre to support women, and this feels like a step in the right direction. I can run my own business, at the same time I can help others.
So as part of that, I am directing my business in a slightly new direction, where my prime focus will be other Mums in business. Offering child-friendly initial consultations, and meetings for clients, because I never want a Mum to feel excluded because they don’t have childcare.
As part of that launch, and also to coincide with the run up to International Women’s day I will be celebrating five amazing Mums in business, one per day, from 4th-8th March.
So stay tuned!