Many successful entrepreneurs I work with start off with two big assumptions:

1. That a true maternity leave isn't possible for business owners

2. That they have to choose between having a family and having a successful business

In some ways, these misconceptions are understandable.

And second, most entrepreneurs run their businesses in ways that are just not sustainable: they're working constantly and feel like everything would fall apart if they weren't there, they never have time to rest, they don't have systems or teams they can rely on, they're "on" all the time for clients and have very few boundaries. Taking significant time off in these circumstances is going to feel daunting and impossible.

As a business owner who's considering starting a family, the first thing that has to change is your mindset. You have to recalibrate to a new reality and a new set of possibilities.

5 Key Mindset Shifts for the Entrepreneur Who Wants to Start a Family

1. Think about FUTURE you. Knowing what you want is key. Your plan must revolve around possible desires, needs, and your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
    
2. Maternity Leave should be intentionally designed. This time off is different from vacations and other breaks because healing your body, bounding with your newborn, and managing sleep deprivation are at the foundation of this time.
    
3. Start to believe that you deserve the thing that's good for you and your baby. Shouldn't you give yourself what some US and Canadian corporate employees get and what employees all over the world get? Yes, you will need to figure out how to set up your business for this extended time off...but starting with just saying, This is healthy, and I deserve to take care of myself can make all the difference. Being a business owner doesn't mean you don't get to be good to yourself.
    
4. Remember that freedom was likely one of the main reasons you started your own business in the first place. Many business owners start their own entrepreneurial journeys for the sake of their freedom. They wanted more say in their time, their work, their earning. Isn't taking time off for your maternity leave part of the freedom category the younger you would have chosen when going into business? It's going to take a strong, dependable strategy for your business. But it is possible.
    
5. Being scared of what may happen to your business if you are not available is a super normal concern. Especially if you've been running on empty for a long time, it's natural to feel worried. But what if this was the opportunity to finally create the business you've always dreamed of? What if you use maternity leave as a way to uplevel your business and create more ease in your future? When done right, maternity leave gets to ignite, transform, and uplevel you and your business. 

If you're planning to add a new member to your family, getting yourself in the right state of mind will support you in clarifying what maternity leave could look like for you.

If you're an entrepreneur who wants to start a family but you're not sure what's possible for you, check out my FREE download that goes into more detail about how to think about maternity leave as a business owner. 

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Or if you're already pregnant and would like help figuring out what mat leave could look like for you, why not hop on a free, zero-obligation call with me? It will help you get clarity on what you want, where you're at, and where you need to go to make your maternity leave dreams a reality.

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PS - If you'd like to connect directly with us, that's great, too! Just click the link below, and you'll be taken to our contact form. Give us the basics about your due date and your business, and we'll schedule a time to be in touch.

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10 Year Business Owner

“I was able to unplug for

six months after giving birth.”

Eulix Vargus

Branding Agency Owner

“I was able to take off three
weeks before my due date.”

Andrea Shillngton