Working from home is a wonderful lifestyle for many mums. You can be with your kids when they are young, save money on childcare and have the flexibility to work in your pyjamas if you want! But it’s not all perfect. Being self-employed brings its own set of challenges. There is no one telling you what to do or how, so it can seem like everything falls on your shoulders – including driving the growth of your business. Here are some tips for self-employed mums who want to grow their businesses so they can create a successful and profitable future for their family. 
- Promote your business with social media – whether it be Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest! They are all great platforms for promoting yourself as a mumpreneur, so take advantage of them by setting up pages on each platform and start engaging with those who share similar interests. It’s also a great way to network and find out what others are up to!
- Use merchandise such as personalised water bottles to promote yourself. Whether it’s a business event, the gym or an office environment, water bottles are used everywhere so they’re a great way to get your name out there and promote what you do! They also make great giveaways for events and competitions – something that will help grow awareness of your business. Companies like IGO Promo offer various promotional products including a range of personalised water bottles to suit any style and budget.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for referrals, reviews and testimonials. These things can really help boost business! If you provide great customer service and deliver on your promises, people will be more than happy to sing your praise. Remember, word of mouth is one of the best forms of advertising – so get people talking!
- Network with other mums and small business owners – especially stay-at-home mums or those working part-time hours from home. You’ll find many more opportunities open up because these people understand the challenges and benefits of self employment, which means you’re more likely to get the support and advice that’s needed when it comes to growing your business. Regular networking events are also a good opportunity for meeting potential clients or suppliers who could help boost your own work. Even if it’s not directly related to what they do, most people will want something from someone else at some point, which is where serendipity comes into play! The good news is, there are plenty of networking events dedicated to self-employed mums out there – whether they’re face to face or online!
- Create an email newsletter – this will keep customers up to date with the latest products or services available from your business. Customers are more likely to buy if they have been informed of product information via email newsletters compared with being reached directly by phone or in person – another benefit of using technology! Email marketing campaigns provide excellent opportunities for targeted advertising based on customer interests, age preferences etc. so be sure that yours is frequently updated with relevant content that speaks specifically about what matters most within your targets’ industries/professions. You can use free CRM systems such as Hubspot to create powerful marketing campaigns.
- Reduce costs so that you have more money to spend on growth. Growing your business can cost money, from pouring more money into marketing to upgrading your equipment. Think about small ways to reduce costs so that you have more money to put towards growth. This could include refinancing business debts or switching to cheaper suppliers. You could even save money when you switch business bank account, reducing interest and overdraft fees.
- Remember to grow your business at a pace you’re comfortable with. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing and this will help reduce stress on yourself by not feeling overwhelmed from taking on too much too soon.
Remember what’s most important: if it’s about time spent with family then take two steps back before moving forward in order to ensure everything falls into place smoothly. Using these tips will help you grow your business at the pace you want while giving you time to enjoy the things that are precious to you.
Luciana joined our team as a mum blogger in 2020. A dedicated mum to a lively daughter and a dog, Luna, Luciana brings authenticity and passion to every post. Her expertise in parenting and lifestyle topics offers practical, relatable advice for real-life situations.
Great article. Thank you for all the work you put in!
Thank you for posting such helpful and diverse content! I think every entrepreneur should read this article.
Thank you for sharing these valuable tips for self-employed mums looking to grow their businesses. Promoting through social media, using personalized merchandise, asking for referrals, networking, and creating an email newsletter are all effective strategies. It’s important to balance growth with personal priorities and take steps at a comfortable pace. Well done!