Work-life balance can feel like a mythical concept—especially when you’re juggling motherhood and entrepreneurship. But I’m here to tell you: it’s possible to build a thriving business in part-time hours… without burning out or giving up what matters most.

In this post and video, I’m sharing the five things that help me run my business in just part-time hours, while raising two toddlers, staying active, and actually enjoying my life.

These aren’t hacks or hustle culture tips. They’re simple rhythms and mindset shifts that help me navigate motherhood and work in a way that feels aligned and sustainable.

Let’s dive in.

1. I Let Go of the Nap-Time Hustle

When I first started my business, I thought I had to squeeze every task into those precious nap windows.

Spoiler: it didn’t work for me.

Trying to rush through client work while half-listening for a baby monitor left me frazzled and resentful. Instead, I gave myself permission to not work during naps and started slowly investing in childcare—just one day a week to start.

Now, I have childcare three days a week and I reevaluate our needs every 6 months. Some weeks I work 30 hours, other weeks it’s closer to 15. But that rhythm gives me space for laundry, errands, client projects… and even a run or a nap.

Work-life balance tip: Your capacity can grow as your kids grow. Give yourself permission to scale support at your own pace.

2. I Clean Up the Toys Before I Start Working

This one might sound small, but it’s everything for my focus.

We live in a small house with two energetic kids, which means our living room often doubles as a toy explosion zone. Before I sit down to work, I take five minutes to tidy up.

We don’t have a ton of toys (intentionally), and this quick reset helps me transition out of “mom mode” and into work mode. A decluttered space = a decluttered mind.

Motherhood and work tip: You don’t need a minimalist home, but even a 5-minute reset can change how you show up to your work.

3. I Know Exactly How Much I Need to Make

As an Enneagram 3 (aka recovering over-achiever), I have a tendency to link my worth to my productivity. It’s easy for me to work just to work—even when I don’t need to.

That’s why I got clear on my baseline revenue goal: $40,000 before taxes. That’s what I need to contribute to our family income, and once I hit it, I give myself permission to slow down.

Knowing this number helps me stay focused on high-leverage tasks and avoid the trap of overworking just for the sake of “growth.”

Motherhood and entrepreneurship tip: You get to define enough. Build your business around what you actually need, not what the internet says is impressive.

4. I Use a Paper Planner (Yes, Really)

Some people swear by Trello or Asana. I’m not one of them.

I’ve tried digital tools, but I always come back to my trusty paper planner. It’s simple, visual, and doesn’t send me into a notification spiral.

Here’s how I structure my week:

• Monday + Tuesday: Half-day work blocks. I write down 2–3 realistic tasks.
• Wednesday: My full workday. This is when I tackle bigger projects and batch content.

Writing my to-do list by hand helps me stay grounded and realistic about my time—especially during busy family seasons.

Work-life balance tip: The best planning system is the one you actually use. For me, that’s paper.

5. I Run (Almost) Every Day

Running is my mental health reset, my idea factory, and my therapy. It’s how I process motherhood, business decisions, and everything in between.

Even when I can’t fit in a run, I get outside—whether it’s a walk with the kids or 10 minutes of sunshine on the porch.

As moms and business owners, it’s easy to put ourselves last. But movement helps me show up better in every area of my life.

Motherhood and entrepreneurship tip: Move your body in a way that feels good. It’s not selfish—it’s strategy.

BONUS: I Got Off Instagram

Here’s the truth: I built a successful business because of Instagram… and I’m still stepping away.

Instagram has been part of my life since 2013. It’s seen my marathon PRs, product launches, puppy pics, and everything in between. But lately, it’s felt more draining than energizing.

Every December, I take a break from social media—and every time, I feel more like me. I’m more present with my kids. More patient. More creative. And then January hits, and I get pulled back in with that voice saying, “This is how you have to market your business.”

But that’s not true.

The real truth? My business thrives because of SEO, email marketing, blogging, YouTube—not Instagram. I’ve made thousands of course sales and served dozens of 1:1 clients without relying on Reels or Stories.

What I’m choosing instead: spacious, slow, intentional marketing that prioritizes real connection over likes and views.

What this means for you: You’re allowed to do things differently. You can grow your business outside the algorithm—and I’m living proof.

Final Thoughts on Work-Life Balance

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed trying to juggle motherhood and work, I want you to know: you’re not alone. There’s no one-size-fits-all system for balance, but there is a way to build a business that aligns with your values and your season of life.

These five (okay, six) practices didn’t just help me scale my business—they helped me reclaim my peace. And I hope they give you permission to do the same.

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