Finding Work & Life Balance as a Mom-Preneurs

 Women have always handled the two extremes so well. From being a mother to being a high-level professional they have always played all the roles to the fullest. From early 20's to mid 40's these women are changing the dimensions of the startup world. Just like a woman raises her baby, similarly their ventures are no less than a baby for them. They have grown their virtual babies with dedicated motherhood towards them, simultaneously balancing their family and kids. 

This Mother's Day, women entrepreneurs, share how they are balancing their work and life.

Suchi Mukherjee, CEO & Founder, LimeRoad  -

“Balance is frankly a myth. Instead of chasing balance, I am just highly deliberate about how I spend my time and the trade-offs I make. Some of my fondest motherhood memories are hugging my kids, going for a run or just sharing a chunk of some fantastic dark chocolate with them. The nicest is sometimes when the kids ask, “Tell me what’s bothering you”, and I explain the issue at hand in its simplest form and see them spring into action as problem solvers. Motherhood is an amazing learning ground for leadership. For all theories published around leadership - presence, listening, leading by example - nothing prepares you better than dealing with children. I am a better leader, thanks to my two kids."

Shelly Singh, Co-founder, PeopleStrong - 

“Motherhood is one of the most beautiful experiences that nature has bestowed on woman, no other experience stands even closer to it. Motherhood coupled with work can be quite overwhelming for a woman but if one has planned the ecosystem well, this rewarding journey can be very welcome. Going back to work after a break brings next level of maturity and wisdom in the way one approaches work.”

Ms. Radhika Ghai, Co-founder & CBO, ShopClues -

"Motherhood is a different ball game altogether but still a beautiful feeling. Yes, there are hard times but then nothing comes easy.  don’t like to sail in many boats, so I plan my life and prioritize things, to avoid heartburn later. I don’t stress about stuff that can be outsourced so that I can solely focus on my three babies. Don’t forget that ShopClues is also my child and am equally fond of it. So, when I am at work, I’m hundred percent invested in it, and when I’m at home, I don’t think about work. A big source of happiness is spending time with my 3 children- 2 sons and ShopClues - and see them grow and do well.” 

Meghna Agarwal, Co- Founder  and COO of IndiQube - 

“Time management plays an important role especially when children are involved. But, it is never possible without a strong support system in place. A supporting husband is a working mothers’ backbone and for me, my husband’s support towards work as well as our home life is invaluable. We work together and so it is easy for us to swap roles at home and at work.  So, the larger credit goes to Rishi. Being a mother of two and an entrepreneur managing IndiQube , I don’t get to spend as much time with my children as I would like but, I try to make sure I balance it out when I am with them taking them for family outings together on weekends.”

Upasana Taku, Co founder, MobiKwik -

“Motherhood is the reincarnation of a woman into a ‘child/baby first’ woman. As a mother, I am concerned (about his weight or his tantrums) and stressed (when he is ill) and elated (when he does something for the first time like starts running or starts eating himself), like my Mom was when I was a child.  I try my best to spend quality time with my toddler every day. It starts from the morning when we are together at the breakfast table. We follow a simple rule- either me or my husband has to tell an original story to keep our two-year-old engaged with his breakfast. Then, I drop my kid to school and reach my office by 9: 45 am. In the evenings, I try to spend quality time with my kid. Weekends are action-packed with a lot of playing around with the kid, or taking him out to see a farm or a museum or a bird sanctuary.”

“It is interesting to note that women, today, can juggle well between multiple roles including being a mother, taking care of their health, taking care of their families and also doing their best at work.”

Neha Bagaria, Founder & CEO, JobsForHer -  

“When I founded JobsForHer, I was a mum to two boys and nothing could have prepared me for the rollercoaster ride ahead. I felt torn in so many different directions and constantly felt that I wasn’t doing complete justice to my role as a mother as well as an entrepreneur. Thanks to a lot of mentoring by other successful working mothers as well as fathers, I started putting systems and processes in place to alleviate the mommy guilt I constantly felt. Today, a key to my successfully managing both roles is that I have a great team at work and a great team at home. I don’t sweat the small stuff and keep an eye on the bigger picture. I’ve trained my mind that when I’m at work, I refuse to feel guilty that I’m not at home and when I’m at home, I don’t feel guilty that I’m not at work. In fact, my children have become the biggest boon to my work - keeping me grounded, providing me the big-picture perspective, and keeping my spirit alive.”

Purba Kalita, Co-Founder of Salebhai.com -

"With a doctor mother who had a transferable job, I was exposed early on to the travails of a working mum. Today, with my daughter in college and a teenage son, my worries are different from those during their growing up years. Marrying an army officer, with postings in remote locations, added to the pressure. Amidst work and personal commitments, were guilt trips -- for not living up to the mark and for the sacrifices the family made while I pursued my career. I remember once when there was no babysitter, my parents, brother and his wife took turns in taking my daughter to their respective offices. Also, when work kept me away from home for three years, my husband managed the family, with the younger kid being just a little over two. Being a working mum isn’t easy, but faith in yourself and support from those who matter make things possible."

Tanya Swetta, Founder & Joint Managing Director of id8 Media Solutions - 

“Motherhood is the most rewarding yet challenging job in the world. I believe you truly start appreciating motherhood or rather parenthood only after becoming one. I have two daughters and a business to manage and I think the key to successfully balancing my role as a mom and an entrepreneur is staying extremely organised. I try my best to plan weeks in advance so I can do justice to all my babies-my children and my company id8 media solutions.”

Jagrati Shringi, CMO/CTO and Co-founder, VOYLLA -

“They say it takes a village to raise a child. And I believe it to be true. Help comes to those who ask for it and I don't feel guilty about sharing some  of my responsibilities whenever possible. Striking work life balance for a working mother is a challenge. But not impossible. I try to compartmentalise my time and be present fully at the moment. No social media and hardly any recreational screen time also helps. Keeping guilt at bay, and taking the support of proverbial village to raise the kids. 

Pregnancy is a life altering experience and most women do take a long time to emerge from it. Sometimes, it is by design. Sometimes, it is because we are genetically and culturally wired to put ourselves, our identity aside, and let motherhood take over. Motherhood is pure joy. It takes over our universe and creates a new ‘you’. But it is also important to reclaim a little bit of our old selves, so that even between our sleepless nights and innumerable daily chores or office meetings, we find the space to tune into ourselves. One of the first casualties of motherhood is our appearance. Women tend to let go - simply because there is rarely any time to make ourselves look or feel good.”