I recently had a conversation with a coaching client who, like many of us, feels overwhelmed by the seemingly limited hours in the day. She’s juggling the responsibilities of motherhood while trying to run a small business, and her struggle is a very valid one that a lot of women can relate to. As she sees an increase in her tattooing clients, and therefor her gross income, it doesn’t equate to success. Why? Because the expenses tied to being a tattoo artist grow continuously with the increase in bookings and use of supplies. On top of that, as her income rises, her family loses access to much-needed government benefits. The only plausible solution is to work even harder, tattooing for longer hours and more days of the week. But this comes at a cost: less time with her children.
The expectation society places on mothers is catastrophic. We’re expected to work as if we don’t have children and mother as if we don’t have jobs. This is not an uncommon feeling. If you’re facing the same struggles, know this: you are not alone. There are so many women that feel this way, whether you are an entrepreneur or an employee. The invisible load of childcare, household tasks, mental load and emotional labor disproportionately falls on women, particularly mothers. It’s not just about time or tasks—it’s about the emotional burden of balancing it all while expected to be flawless on all fronts.
What’s even more frustrating is that when a child is born, the wage gap between men and women often widens. In Caroline Criado Perez’s book, “Invisible Women”, she discusses at length how men frequently receive raises or promotions when they become fathers, while mothers face penalty through loss of hours, missed promotions, or plateaued earnings.
There’s a reason I bring my child to work. First and foremost, I love being with him. But it’s also about so much more than just personal joy—it’s a statement. I want people to see the intersectionality of my roles as a mother and a business owner. These two aspects of my life don’t conflict; they compliment one another. The skills I’ve learned as a mother — patience, compassion and preparedness — are the same skills that make me a better entrepreneur. And being an entrepreneur teaches me resilience and adaptability, which in turn helps me become a more present, thoughtful parent.
This intersectionality is something we need to embrace, not hide. Women should not have to separate their multiple roles in order to fit into what we traditionally view as success, and quite frankly, the definition of success for women needs to change entirely. We need to reshape the narrative around working mothers, acknowledging the value that motherhood brings to business ownership, and vice versa.
The societal expectations placed on mothers are outdated and harmful; being a mother and an entrepreneur are not mutually exclusive. It is important to celebrate both roles while defining success on our own terms, without sacrificing one for the other.
We are building businesses and raising the future. We are leaders at work and at home. It’s time to embrace that duality and honour the intersectionality of motherhood and entrepreneurship.
In the words of Shania, ‘Let’s go, girls!’
With love,
Erin
*The book that I reference here, “Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men” by Caroline Criado Perez, is an absolutely must read. While emotional to read at points, it’s incredibly informative and truly educational. You can find it here: “Invisible Women” (affiliate link).
