Let’s get one thing straight: You don’t need an LLC, a logo, a 10-year business plan, or 8 uninterrupted hours to start the thing that’s been tugging at your heart.
You need a notebook, 30 minutes, and the audacity to believe your idea matters. (Here’s a secret- it does).
That’s it. That’s the bar.
I know what you’re thinking, “But I barely have time to shower. How am I supposed to start a business?”
Fair. Valid. I get it. But here’s the thing I’ve learned after building my own thing in the margins of motherhood: You don’t need more time. You need intentional pockets of time and a roadmap that doesn’t require you to quit your life.
So if you’ve got a dream sitting in your Notes app at 2am, let’s talk about how to actually start-even if all you have is nap time and sheer determination.
Step 1: Get Clear on the Idea (10 Minutes)
Before you do anything else, you need to pull that swirling idea out of your head and onto paper. And if you’re like me you have 10 ideas floating around, and that’s okay too!
Grab a notebook and answer these:
- What’s the idea? (Even if it feels half-baked, write it down.)
- Why does this matter to you? (This is your anchor when it gets hard.)
- Who is this for? (Spoiler: “everyone” is not an answer.)
- What problem does it solve or what joy does it create?
You’re not writing a business plan. You’re getting clear on what you want to build and why. That’s the foundation.
Nap time hack: Set a timer for 10 minutes. Write without editing. Just brain dump. You can refine it later. (Also known as automatic writing, and it’s something I use often.)
Step 2: Define Your “Future Self” First (15 Minutes)
Here’s where most people skip ahead, and then wonder why they’re building something that doesn’t fit their actual life.
Before you build the thing, get clear on the person you’re becoming.
Ask yourself:
- What does a typical day look like when this business exists?
- How much time do I actually want to spend on this?
- What kind of work lights me up vs. drains me?
- What are my non-negotiables? (Family dinner? No weekend work? Afternoon school pickup?)
Why this matters: If you build a business that requires you to be “on” 24/7 but you value presence with your kids- you’ll burn out. Design the business around the life you want, not the other way around.
Nap time hack: Journal this out. Get specific. This becomes your filter for every decision moving forward.
Step 3: Map Your First 30 Days (20 Minutes)
You don’t need a year-long plan. You need to know what to do this week.
Here’s your 30-day starter roadmap:
Week 1: Research + Validation
- Google what already exists in this space (not to copy, but to learn)
- Ask 3-5 people in your target audience: “Would this be helpful to you?”
- Join Facebook groups, Reddit threads, or communities where your people hang out
Week 2: Build the Minimum Viable Offer
- What’s the simplest version of this idea you could start with?
- You don’t need a website. You don’t need a course platform. Start with what you can do now.
- Examples: A simple PDF guide, a beta version of your service, a small pilot program
Week 3: Create Your “Home Base”
- Pick one place people can find you (Instagram, a simple website, a Facebook group)
- Write a bio that clearly says what you do and who it’s for
- Start showing up- even if it’s just 3 posts a week
Week 4: Soft Launch
- Tell 10 people about your thing (friends, family, online community)
- Offer it to 1-3 beta clients/customers for feedback
- Make changes based on what you learn
Nap time hack: Break these down into 15-30 minute tasks. One task per nap time. Progress over perfection.
Step 4: Protect Your Pockets of Time (Ongoing)
Here’s the truth: Time won’t magically appear. You have to create it and protect it.
Where to find pockets of time:
- Nap time (obviously)
- Early mornings before kids wake up (if you’re a morning person, I’m not, so no judgment)
- After bedtime (30-60 minutes before you collapse)
- During screen time (yep, I said it, sometimes Bluey is your business partner)
- Weekends when your partner can take the kids for an hour
The key: Batch your work. Don’t try to do “a little bit of everything” every day. Pick one focus per session.
Example weekly schedule:
- Monday nap time: Content creation (write 3 posts)
- Wednesday nap time: Client/customer work
- Friday nap time: Admin (emails, scheduling, planning next week)
Step 5: Start Scared (But Start Anyway)
Let me tell you a secret: Every single person who’s “made it” started when they weren’t ready. They started scared. They started messy. They started before they had all the answers.
You will never feel “ready enough.” So you might as well start now. There will always be one more thing to do, and you’ll go in circles if you let yourself.
Your first version will be imperfect. Your first clients will be guinea pigs. Your first posts will feel cringey. That’s how it works.
But you know what happens when you start anyway? You learn. You grow. You build momentum. And six months from now, you’ll look back and be so damn glad you didn’t wait.
The Real Talk Section
Starting a business during motherhood is hard. Let’s not sugarcoat it.
There will be days when nap time gets skipped. When you’re too tired to think. When you question if this is even worth it.
But here’s what I know: If this idea keeps showing up- if it whispers to you during carpool and won’t let you sleep, it’s worth exploring. Even if it’s messy. Even if it’s slow. Even if it’s just 30 minutes at a time.
And you need a community of women who are doing the same thing- cheering each other on, sharing the wins and the struggles, and reminding each other: Your dream matters. Even if it lives in nap time.
Want Help Actually Doing This?
This is exactly what my Business Besties Workshop is for. We’re pulling your dream out of your head, creating your 30-day roadmap, and connecting you with other moms who are building their things in the margins too.
Because you don’t need a mentor who built a 7-figure business before kids (good for them, but that’s not your reality). You need a roadmap that fits your life-carpool, chaos, and all.
First workshop launches in December. Details coming soon!
