Four Things I’ve Learned by Going From Full-Time Employee to Full-Time Mompreneur

Photo Credit: Wheeland Photography

Transitioning from a full-time employee to a full-time “mompreneur” has been a journey filled with profound lessons and revelations - not only about myself but about the world we work and live in. At the beginning of summer, I made the bold decision to leave my corporate career and invest in a new path for myself and my family. I had thought about it for many years, even before having kids, but it always seemed unattainable. It wasn’t until I had my second son that I started to revisit the idea in my head, and over time, it kept growing and growing.

As I tried to juggle work in client service and mom life with two young kids and a home full of responsibilities, the exhaustion slowly set in. I would start my day at 5:30 AM, packing lunches, getting myself and the kids ready for school, and ushering everyone out the door by 7 AM. It’s like turning on a switch - you go from mom mode into work mode the minute you walk into the doors of the office. The day would flow from drop-offs into five hours of work meetings and just enough time to check off a handful of tasks, before leaving the office to do five hours of pickups, cleaning, dinner, tantrums, baths, and bedtime stories. By the time I ended my evening as a mom, I would be back in work mode at 8 PM, attempting to finish all the things I didn’t get to during the day. If I finally found my focus zone, I would be working until midnight.

You would think all this would be so fulfilling, but not for me. And that was the first realization on this journey - the working mom path isn’t for everyone. For me, the thing that broke the dam was when my mental and physical health began to suffer. I started having panic attacks, digestive issues, the worst mood swings, and bouts of depression. And if you know me, then you know I’m cool as a cucumber…on the outside. But if I’m being totally honest here, my light inside was dying. Something HAD to change for me and for my family. My determination to find a new path grew brighter and brighter each day, until I decided it was simply time to stop and make a change.

So, here we are, two months later, and I’m feeling the best I’ve ever felt! Of course, any transition like this can be a huge shock to the system. Within a matter of two weeks, I was saying goodbye to my routine of 15 years - home, work, home, work - and saying hello to being a mom first, entrepreneur second. Wow! Sometimes I have to pinch myself and see if it’s all still real. There have definitely been some big learnings and hiccups along the way, but I feel like I’m finally finding my footing and I’ve gained some valuable insights along the way that could be helpful to anyone else considering this same path for themselves.

1. Connecting Is More Important Than Meeting

In the corporate world, meetings are a staple. They fill our calendars and often leave us with a sense of having accomplished something merely by attending. However, as a mom and consultant now, I've learned the value of true connection. It's not about the quantity of meetings but the quality of connections you have throughout the day.

Connecting fosters relationships, builds trust, and drives genuine collaboration. Whether it's a quick call with a client before I take my kiddo to hockey practice, a one hour therapy session dedicated to talking through the weekly struggles, or a morning breakfast with a long-time mentor, these moments of connection are where the real magic happens. They are more meaningful, productive, and fulfilling than any formal meeting could ever be.

2. You Can’t Have It All, But You Can Have a Choice

The myth of "having it all" is just that—a myth. Balancing business, family, and personal time can often feel like juggling flaming torches. And you simply can’t be in two places at one time. What I have learned through this experience is that it is more about simply having the choice to do the things you need to do - for me, I’m choosing to be a mom and business owner right now. And it’s the best fit for me! It’s about making conscious choices that align with your values and goals - and it’s ok if they change over time too. Some days, family will come first, while on others, my business will demand more attention - and I’m in a particular season of life right now. But the beauty lies in the fact that I have the power to choose where to focus my time and energy. This shift in mindset has made it easier to let go of the unrealistic expectation of perfection and embrace a more balanced, fulfilling approach to life and work.

3. The Gift of Time Is Something You Can Never Take Away

Time is the most precious commodity we have. As a full-time employee, I often felt like I was racing against the clock, with little control over my schedule. Transitioning to a mom and entrepreneur has given me the gift of time—time to spend with my family, time to grow my business, and time to invest in myself. This newfound freedom has allowed me to be more present in the moments that matter most. It has given me the ability to create a lifestyle that reflects my true priorities. Time, once gone, can never be reclaimed, and this realization has made me more intentional about how I spend each day.

4. Plan Around Your Focus Times

Everyone has certain times of the day when they are more productive. For me, I focus best in the mid-morning and in the evening. Understanding this about myself has been a game-changer, and it has become critical as I find my way through this new journey. I plan my deep thinking work, such as strategizing and writing, around these times. The rest of the day is reserved for lighter tasks or home responsibilities, allowing me to maintain a productive and balanced schedule.

Since time is a precious commodity, I now set timers for everything! This is a habit I never fully had when I was working full-time. Whether it's working on a specific task, allowing myself a break, or managing screen time for the kids, using timers helps me gauge how much time I'm spending and ensures that I stay on track. It’s amazing how something so simple can make such a significant difference in managing time effectively.

The journey from full-time employee to full-time mompreneur has been transformative. It has taught me the importance of connecting over merely meeting, the power of prioritization, the irreplaceable value of time, the need to plan around my focus times, and the efficiency of using timers. These lessons have not only shaped my approach to business but have also enriched my personal life, making this journey one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.