{Episode 101} Starting a business as a mum: the reality of working for yourself with VA Lauren Hopkins
But there’s also something quite lovely about having something that’s just yours. Something that gives you a sense of purpose, challenges you, and reminds you that you’re more than just the person who keeps everyone else going.
And that’s exactly what we’re chatting about in this week’s episode of Reclaiming Mum. I’m joined by VA Lauren Hopkins to talk about what it’s really like to set up and run a business alongside being a mum.
So, what is it really like being a mum in business?
I think there’s sometimes a bit of a romanticised idea of being your own boss. You can work around the school run, choose your own hours, have more flexibility and be there for the important moments.
And yes, all of those things can be lovely perks of working for yourself, but let’s not pretend it’s all leisurely laptop sessions in a coffee shop. There are deadlines, clients, emails, admin, and all the other things that come with running a business. And then there’s the fact that children don’t always respect your working hours (if only!).
We chat to Lauren about what setting up her own VA business has involved, how she’s navigated working alongside motherhood and some of the realities that perhaps don’t get talked about quite so much.
The juggle is real
One thing I think is really important to acknowledge is that working for yourself doesn’t necessarily mean life becomes less busy. You might have more flexibility, but that doesn’t mean you have fewer responsibilities. Sometimes it just means you’re squeezing work into the gaps between school runs, childcare, family life and everything else that needs doing.
And I think that’s something so many mums can relate to, but I also think there’s a bigger conversation here about what happens when we start making space for something that’s just for us because as much as I love being a mum, I don’t believe motherhood has to be our entire identity.
We’re allowed to have ambitions, ideas, interests, and things we want to achieve that have absolutely nothing to do with our children.
What does having something of your own give you?
This is probably one of my favourite things to explore in this conversation. Of course, earning an income and having financial independence are important, but what else does having your own business give you?
Maybe it’s the confidence that comes from building something yourself. Maybe it’s having a purpose outside of family life, feeling challenged, or having something to look forward to. Or perhaps it’s simply knowing that you’re creating a working life that fits around the kind of life you actually want to live.
I think it’s easy to put our own ambitions on the back burner when we’re raising a family. There’s always something or someone that needs our attention, but what if we stopped waiting for the perfect time and started exploring what might be possible now?
It doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s version of success and it certainly doesn’t have to be perfect.
Listen to the episode
In this week’s episode of Reclaiming Mum, Lauren and I chat about:
- What inspired her to set up her own VA business.
- What running a business alongside motherhood actually looks like.
- Some of the challenges of being a mum and working for yourself.
- The flexibility and opportunities that having your own business can bring.
- How motherhood can change your relationship with ambition and success.
- What having something that’s just yours can give you.
Whether you’re thinking about starting a business, already self-employed, or just wondering what else might be possible for you, I think you’ll enjoy this one because you can absolutely love being a mum and still want more for yourself, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Listen to the full conversation with Lauren below:
Listen to the Reclaiming MUM podcast on AppleiTunes or on Spotify
And if you’ve been sitting on an idea for a business, perhaps this is your little reminder that you don’t have to wait until the children are older to start exploring it.
Want a little more support, encouragement, and behind-the-scenes mum chaos? Find me on Instagram!
I share a mix of real-life mum moments, simple self-care tips, and little nuggets of coaching wisdom on my Instagram every day. Think behind-the-scenes of life with four spirited kids, practical ways to feel calmer, and gentle reminders to prioritise you without guilt. If you’d like a daily dose of inspiration, laughter, and encouragement for navigating this messy, beautiful mum life, come and join me over on Instagram. I’d love to connect with you there!
