With Mother’s Day coming up on Sunday, I’ve been thinking about founders of companies, and in particular, Mom founders.
Most of what I write has a male slant to it, and I haven’t given that much thought until now.
If you were to follow any of the business thought leaders on Instagram the majority of the quotes, including mine, go something like this:
“Go get it”
“Your race to lose”
“Put in the work”
“If you want it bad enough…”
“I outwork you…”
“Pay the price to get what you want”
Add “with kids” to end of any of those quotes, and the meaning changes entirely:
“Go get it…with kids”
“Your race to lose…with kids”
“Put in the work…with kids”
“If you want it bad enough…with kids”
“I outwork you…with kids”
“Pay the price to get what you want…with kids”
I’m a Father, but it’s not the same. My Daughters have different expectations of me then they do of their Mom. This is just one man’s opinion, but I don’t think my circumstance is unique.
I kiss them goodbye in the morning and then go about my day. My phone doesn’t ring first when they forget their lunch, slip on the playground, want a play date, have a stomach ache, need a driver for the field trip, need help with homework, can’t find their backpack, have their feelings hurt, and the list goes on and on.
I get up, read all my motivational instagrams and go about building my company. But Mom founders have it very different.
“Their kid radar is always on. Pinging in a 10 mile radius, listening for any tremors in the Mommy force.”
That’s simply a different kind of pressure then what Dad founders have to deal with. Now add to that SingleMomPreneurs….and holy crap, it’s all on you! There is no back up.
I’m not here to say it’s easy or give you some pithy advice, I’m just here to say that I see you. I know that it’s harder for you then it is for your male counterparts.
On this upcoming Motherpreneur Day I raise a glass and a smile for you. You likely don’t hear it much but you’re appreciated, and your an inspiration to Founders everywhere.
Happy Mother’s Day 😉
If you know a Mom or Mom Founder that would enjoy this, please like it. Tell me your best Mompreneur story on twitter @davidbaeza