Maternity leave offers a crucial period for new mothers to heal and bond with their newborns. However, as an entrepreneur it can become overwhelming trying to balance the joys and responsibilities of motherhood with the business you’ve passionately built from its inception.
Capital on Tap has spoken to two female entrepreneurs, Katie Hanton-Parr, co-founder of Baboodle, and Eleanor Bagust, co-founder of Letterbox Gifts, to share their recent experiences with maternity leave. They offer valuable advice for other expectant mothers preparing to navigate parenthood and entrepreneurship.
Personal maternity leave is often overlooked by business owners amidst other challenges, but preparation is crucial for a smooth transition
Amidst the whirlwind of running a business, planning for maternity leave is often overlooked as you focus on overcoming the challenges of managing finances, securing customers, and building a strong brand.
Katie admits, “[Maternity leave] is not something you think about when starting a company. There are so many unknowns and ‘what if’s’ that it didn’t feel as though I should give it any thought against all the other obstacles that I was facing starting the business.” However, once you find out you’re expecting, preparing your business for this life change becomes inevitable.
Upskilling and retraining existing members of staff can be a beneficial way to prepare for maternity leave, ensuring your business is left in trusted hands and saving on additional recruitment costs and bottlenecks.
Both Katie and Eleanor suggest that the hardest thing about planning for maternity leave was the realisation that they must give up some control and hand over responsibility to others. Eleanor related it to her experience of being a mother, “When your business has been your baby for years, relinquishing control can be difficult and for me, it took some getting used to.”
Despite this, they both report that their revenue growth has been steady. However, in Eleanor’s case, the need to rely on staff and increase their hours has resulted in additional expenses. Rebecca Alford, Finance Director from Capital on Tap, suggests that “Applying for a business credit card can alleviate some of the uncertainties that come with any hidden, and planned costs when handing over control whilst you’re on maternity leave. It can help simplify financial management and provides oversight on spending.”
Navigating the uncertainties of maternity leave, and returning back to work, can be difficult, but flexibility is key
Both Katie and Eleanor had business partners who were able to take charge in their absence. However, their maternity leaves unexpectedly coincided with large projects and the beginning of new business collaborations, which was the source of some nerves when handing over responsibilities.
Transitioning in and out of maternity leave can be challenging. After investing so much into your business, it can be difficult to ‘switch off’.
Katie notes, “I’m working more than I thought I would during my maternity leave, but when you run your own business it is often impossible to turn your mind off”. Setting boundaries around your maternity leave is crucial so you can take the much needed time to recover and enjoy your new family member. Still on maternity leave, she is concerned about returning to work due to motherhood’s fatigue but is arranging flexible work schedules to adapt to her new responsibilities.
“Katie’s concerns about finding a suitable work/life balance upon returning from maternity leave are common. As you transition back to work, it is important to stay flexible and determine what works best for you, your baby, and your business.” says Rebecca Alford, Finance Director from Capital on Tap.
Katie and Eleanor share tips for prospective mothers on taking maternity leave as a business owner
- Be flexible with your expectations on returning to work: Eleanor notes “you don’t know how you’ll feel, especially as a first time mum.” It is important to have a plan for your return to work, but be ready to adjust if needed.
- Don’t compare yourself to others: Avoid comparing yourself to others regarding how quickly they adjust to motherhood or return to work. Eleanor reminds new mothers that, “some struggle with becoming new parents more than others”, sobe kind to yourself as you enter this new chapter.
- Don’t feel guilty for wanting to spend time on the business: It is okay to take time for yourself during maternity leave, even if that means working on your business. The way you choose to balance motherhood and entrepreneurship is personal.
- Have an open line of communication between you and your team: Katie advises “be an open book from the start, as people also tend to help more when they know you are pregnant!” Early communication with your team ensures everyone is prepared and supportive during your leave.
Maternity leave is an exciting time for new mothers, and it should be no different for women with their own businesses. Embrace this period as an opportunity to learn more about your leadership and delegation skills while enjoying the new addition to your family.
