What is your No.1 priority?

I mean it – what is it? I’m not talking about that ‘to do’ list you have – 1 for home, 1 for work, plus the household tasks that need doing. What I’m talking about is what you drop everything for. What your energy needs to be focused on, or life doesn’t feel right.

A lot has happened this year. In some ways, more than the past few years, which as you know have been tough. The last few months have been especially tough as I explained last time. But what it has done is made me totally focus my mind and efforts on to what is THE priority in my life.

A few months ago, I may have said financial security. But is that really what I really crave? No. I’m a risk taker, and we’ll be OK, whatever happens.

All the hours I’ve spent developing my business. The laughs, the tears and the stress have all been worthwhile. I still love what I do. I still believe in my business, and still want it to succeed. I’m not fed up with it. But it’s NOT my No.1 priority.

When thinking about actually writing this down, I asked some questions of those I connect with. I totally agree with Susie from New Day New Lesson, when she said, “No one on their death bed has ever said they were sorry they didn’t work more. I also think that if you find the right line of work and are passionate about it , it is not work but rather a way of life.” But, when push comes to shove, even a way of life you love isn’t always a priority.

For me, right now, my No.1 priority is my children. No.2 son is being bullied and he’s not as happy and carefree as he was. No.1 son is obviously affected by it all, especially when he sees things happen in the playground. My husband comes a close 2nd place, and our family and friends are equal 3rd.

We’ve just found out that a friend who my husband went to Uni with is not well. His children are the same age as mine. It’s stunned us, yet again, by how short our lives on earth are.

I’ve had some nasty comments from customers these past few weeks, as my business customer service has not been the best. I’m sorry. I can only apologise. I’ve always prided myself on excellent customer service, but it’s not priority anymore. It’s important, and to continue in business I need to focus on it. But NOT to the detriment of my 8 and 11 year olds who need their mother to be there when they need me.

We all know life is tough, but we often make it harder for ourselves by not thinking through exactly what our priority is. Some of those around me are also re-thinking their priorities. It’s worth just sitting back sometimes and thinking things through.

Us Mums in Business want it all, and to a certain extent can have it all if we work hard and have support. But I’m putting my flag in the sand and saying, right here, that, I’d do anything to have my carefree boy back again who entertains everyone he meets. I may not be able to fix things, but I can certainly do my best for him.

Business and Baby Show – a fantastic opportunity to promote your business!

We try and bring you relevant news and information around a wide range of subjects, including business support and development. So, I’m delighted to bring you this interview we recently did with  Jane Hopkins from MumsClub who is promoting the upcoming Business And Baby Show which happens on Saturday 1 October, in Solihull. The Show has a brilliant competition for any mum who has her own business to win a stand at the Show, and meet the 2,000 visitors who will come through the doors of Cranmore Park at Solihull, West Midland, at 11am. We asked Jane all about it:

Business Mums at the Baby Show

What’s the prize?
It’s to win a stand, for you to sell your products or services, in Mumpreneur Alley, at The Business and Baby Show. We’ve got 20 stands to give away and it’s really easy to enter: keep reading for all the info….

Hang on, why are you giving the stands away? What’s the catch?
Originally, we wanted to sell all the stands, but to be honest, we’ve not had the time to do it, and we were thinking of ditching the idea. But then we’ve decided that actually, it’s very much in the spirit of Mums Club to do it anyway, and still provide the facility for all our visitors, so we have decided to crack on with it for you all despite the fact that it won’t generate income for us!

Who is allowed to enter into the competition?
It’s for people who want to sell their products and services to the visitors – phoenix cards, homemade nappy cakes, games, baby shows, accountancy, stationery suppliers – anything and everything that families or mums with businesses might want to use or buy is fine with us. This is not available to people who want to sell, franchise or license their businesses on the day. So for example, if you wanted to sell a branch of a swimming company, a post natal exercise class or anything similar, then this isn’t for you. This is for mums with small businesses who want to sell their services and products to the 2,000 people they are going to meet on Saturday 1 October 2011.

How do I enter?
All we want you to do, is comment below this blog with a maximum of 150 words on your business, who you are and why you want to win.

When does the competition end?
Wednesday 21 September at 12 noon.

When are the winners announced?
Thursday 22 September, by 12 noon, on this blog

Any small print?
Yes, our decision is final, and cannot be contested.
You cannot swap, offer or share your stand with someone else.
If you do not attend on the day, for any reason, you will be billed for £100 for the inconvienience of our having to arrange things around  you. This isn’t something we want to do, but we don’t want people to miss out because someone has a last minute problem. You’ll be billed and will have to pay within 14 working days. We hope that we don’t have to bill anyone and that everyone turns up!!

By entering into the competition and putting a blog comment below you confirm that you fully and unreservedly agree to these terms.

Anything else?

Nothing that we can think of, so please leave your comments below so we can pick the winners! Visit http://www.businessandbabyshow.com/blog to enter :))

Mums in Business – Have you been inspired?

Well, I certainly have! What a busy month we’ve had here, with 25 posts on our theme. Thank you to all those who took part and shared their story, tips, or just simply an insight into what it’s like to be a Mum and run your own business.

I don’t know about you, but I need time to reflect and go back over them all again – I’m sure I can pick up some more tips about juggling, priorities, and keeping focused, even when the going gets tough.

I’m also delighted with all the support for the Business Mums Blog Carnival – a regular monthly roundup of posts, hosted on various Business Mum’s blogs. This month we had an eclectic mix of personal and business stories, but it all tied in very well with our very own theme. I’m exhausted by all the activity we’ve had, but I guess that’s one of the themes that has come through isn’t it? We’re all very busy women, but very determind in our own ways to get what we want for our families and our businesses.

I’ve certainly been motivated by the stories of others, and been humbled by some of the open tales told during the month.

What’s motivated, inspired, touched a nerve with you? I’d like to know. I’d also welcome your feedback on whether we had too many guests this month, or was it great to see so many stories in one place that you could compare, contrast and relate to with your own story?

I’m at the end of the first week of the school holidays – a time of major juggling, scheduling & guilt challenges with the needs of the family and business both needing my attention. Hope you have a great summer being a Mum/parent/partner/carer, and enjoy your life to the full.

Tomorrow – we start our holiday/relaxation month! Couldn’t have timed it better! 🙂

Being a Mum & running a business

July is themed Business Mums. Over the month you will meet 31 Mums who are running their own businesses. All have different stories to tell. And I know we will all learn from them whether you have run a business or not. Some of the themes I’ve already started seeing come through are about multi-tasking! And I guess, we all have to juggle things at some stage/s in our lives don’t we?

So, I’m expecting to post a new post everyday, from a different Mum. Please read and support them. For some, this is the first time they’ve written about their business & family life. I’d love to hear your comments about the month. It’s going to be the busiest one since I started the blog 18 months ago! I hope you can keep up with us as we just get on and stay focused on the goal for the month (that’s what I have to do in my house! Stay focused or all the balls come tumbling down!). The Business Mums Blog Carnival is also being hosted here this month. If you have a post you’d like including, please contact me.

Being a Mum & running a business (more…)