Navigating New Motherhood in Business

I find myself reflecting on the new role I've recently welcomed: motherhood, while running Paola And Joy with the woman who guided me through life. Balancing the demands of being a first-time mom on maternity leave while still running our homewares business alongside each other has been quite the adventure.

In the midst of diaper changes and late-night feedings, I've truly realised the true value of having my mum as my business partner.

This Mother's Day, get a glimpse of the women behind Paola & Joy as I answer a few questions I've recently been asked on how we're tackling business while embracing new motherhood.

How has becoming a mother changed your approach to running the business?

Becoming a mother has really shifted something in my brain. Before motherhood, I had always pictured of what it would be like when a little one entered the picture. I thought I could run the business at the same capacity and hold the emotional and physical labour of taking care of a child, just because I thought I could.

Since my beautiful baby boy was born, it definitely made me more mindful of time management and prioritisation. I've learned to delegate tasks more effectively and focus on what truly matters for the growth of our business. I've shifted to a more flexible work schedule that allows me to accommodate my baby's needs while still meeting business commitments.

What strategies have you found most effective in balancing the demands of motherhood with the responsibilities of entrepreneurship?

Setting clear boundaries between work and family time has been crucial. I try to maximise productivity during designated work hours, allowing myself to fully immerse in motherhood during breaks. One of the biggest challenges has been the unpredictability of newborn schedules. Flexibility has been key and giving myself and our team grace with work. Our customers understand that our business is family run so we've been grateful that we've built a brand with connection where we can be honest with our community and get back that understanding and patience from them.  

It's one of those points of life, you can't really set too many strategies apart from being open-minded, flexible and allowing the team to take over. 

Have there been any unexpected benefits or silver linings to running a business as a new mom?

Absolutely. Becoming a mother has given me a newfound sense of purpose and drive in our business and the day to days we do. It's also taught me valuable lessons in patience, resilience, and adaptability. 

I thought I already had these values before but when you add a little human in the mix who requires your attention more, I adapted in other new ways I wasn't able to before. 

We've learned to scale back and become more curated and intentional with our business moving forward. 

What advice would you give to other new moms who are feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of managing their own businesses?

Be kind to yourself and remember that it's okay to ask for help. Surround yourself with a supportive network, prioritise self-care, and celebrate even the smallest wins along the way.

Allow yourself to lean on family and friends for emotional support and encouragement during challenging times.