Starting a New Business When You’re Expecting

Written by Anya Willis

You’ve been dreaming about starting a business for a while. However, life kept you from launching, then the pandemic hit, then you found out that you’re having a baby.

Does that describe your story? Here’s the thing: You can still get your business up and running. You don’t have to wait for things to return to “normal” or for your child to reach a specific age. You can launch your company this year and set it up for long-term success by choosing a home business idea that aligns with your interests and expertise, recruiting other people to help, and using the right technologies. A Stupendous Life invites you to check out these practical tips for doing just that!

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

Harvard Business Review notes that any type of business you start will inherently involve risk. Too many entrepreneurs wait until their fear or nervousness of pursuing their dream wanes, leading them to never take the leap. Don’t let that happen to you. Don’t put your dreams and goals on hold – instead, consider the rewards that will result in running your business. Not only will you have the satisfaction of knowing you went for it; if successful, you’ll enjoy profits and the ability to help others in ways you couldn’t before.

You can come up with countless excuses or reasons, and the perfect time or opportunity to launch your business will never come. Yes, you want to prepare as well as you can to lay a firm foundation for your business, but at some point, you just have to get out there and start. You will learn a lot along the way, but the first step is to simply begin.

Research Ideas for Your Business

Start by figuring out what type of business to start. Is there any field or skill that you’re passionate about? Is there a special you are particularly strong in? What are your primary talents, and what has your life experience taught you up to this point?

Answer these questions, and you’ll be well on your way to discovering a business idea that can make you money. Start researching and brainstorming ideas and make a list of as many possibilities as you can think of.

When you’ve finished your list, narrow those ideas down to a few and research the market to determine which is the most promising. After that, you’ll be ready to put together a business plan that outlines all of your values, goals, and strategies, including how you’ll structure your business and get funding. To get the process underway, you can use this startup guide to walk you through the finer details. In the meantime, here are some business ideas to kickstart your research:

Freelance web development or design
Freelance writing
Photography
Business coaching
Personal training
Landscape design
House cleaning
Massage therapy
Consulting
Ecommerce business
Organic farming

Start Building Your Business Brand

Your brand is how consumers perceive your business. It involves many visual, written, and auditory elements. Your brand also depends on the representation you establish in your community and in the industry as a whole.

Start by choosing a catchy business name that reflects what your business will offer. Then create an attention-grabbing logo to use on all of your marketing materials. You also need to select fonts, colors, and other components for promoting your brand.

You may also want to create a custom infographic for your site and social media accounts that details the services you’re offering. Check out a free online infographic maker, and choose from predesigned infographics that you can brand, customize, and add your logo to.

Cultivate Your Community

It really does take a village to raise a child, especially if you’re starting a business at the same time. Obviously, you want to devote all of your time and attention to your baby, and your business, but you won’t be able to do that every minute of every day. That’s why you need to surround yourself with people who can help.

Motherly says to not be afraid to ask your partner, family members, and friends to step in when you need extra support. Walk through the challenges and celebrate the wins together.

Use Technology

Technology is your friend when it comes to starting a home-based business. Take advantage of all the tools that can help you work more productively, manage your finances, and automate menial tasks. You might be surprised by how efficiently you can get things done by incorporating the right software. For example, rather than spending hours manually managing your accounting, using an online accounting system with built-in features like automatic invoicing, seamless bookkeeping and cash flow projections could save you a lot of time. You’ll have more time to focus on the big picture, and your new bundle of joy!

Outfit Your Office

Finally, you need an inspiring place to work. And you need enough space for you and your baby gear. Carve out a corner of your office for a crib, saucer, and any other equipment your baby needs to thrive as you build your company.

Throw a coat of paint on the walls, choosing a color that helps you concentrate on the tasks at hand, and invest in a quality ergonomic chair to promote wellness during long work hours.

It can also help to maximize natural light and incorporate plants into your space. Try to think of any other ways you can set yourself up for productivity and health as you hammer away on your computer.

Just because you will have a lot on your plate as you build a business, and raise a baby, that doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Follow the tips above to get your company off the ground without compromising your ability to nurture your bundle of joy. And remember that you are launching a business to benefit everyone in your family.

A Stupendous Life is a lifestyle community all about family, DIY, and fun! Read more informative articles today!