In this episode, Jo & Vicky cover a subject one of their mentees has requested  – how to juggle parenting and running a business. Jo has hands on experience of combining the two, so is taking the lead for this one. She had her first son at a time when her business was still in its early stages. Jo had only left her paid job 7 months earlier and they were renovating their house.

Jo explains how having her children prompted her to change the way she worked, to be more structured and invest in herself so that she could run her business more effectively and profitably. She shares why she did this, how they home educate their children and why she is planning to pivot and spend more of her time engaged in family life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• You need to be organised, but, at the same time, stay flexible.
• Nobody can do it all, so be realistic and put in place the right type of help for your family.
• You may find that family members do not fully understand the stresses and strains of running your own business. As a result, they may not offer you as much help as you want or in the form you need.
• Having children can be highly motivating and push you to become a better business owner.
• When Jo became a parent she started investing more in her personal growth and skillset. She explains how and why.
• Put in place firm foundations for your business so it is as robust as possible for when you become a parent. Take advantage of the early months to reinforce those foundations.
• Working more efficiently enables you to find the time to do more than most people. So, carry on investing in yourself as your children grow up.
• Plan and schedule months ahead, instead of weeks or days.
• You really have to work in tandem with your partner or spouse.
• Even if you do not have children there is usually someone in your life that relies on you being there for them, to some extent. So, all business owners have to learn to juggle.

BEST MOMENTS

“It was such a shock to my system.”

“I 'd actually left that paid employment when I had just found out I was pregnant.”

“It used to really piss me off, all the resentment and everything would come up with that.”

“We ended up finding a childcare provider.”

“Planning is so crucially important.”

“I have chosen to step into wife role a bit more .. but I’m struggling with my own boundary.”

“I feel like I'm a better parent for it, because I'm passing this skill set and knowledge down to the boys and showing them what you can achieve.”

SOCIALS AND IMPORTANT LINKS

https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness

Website www.caninebusinessacademy.com

Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/

Let´s Talk Dog Business Strategy Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lets-Talk-Dog-Business-Strategy/dp/1068791705

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens.