Where Do You Find The Time?

Starting a business is exciting, but when you have children and family commitments, finding time can feel impossible. The good news is that with intentional planning, realistic expectations, and smart strategies, you can carve out the time to grow a business without sacrificing your family life. Here’s how.

1. Reframe Your Mindset

The first step is to accept that your time is limited. But that doesn’t mean your dreams are impossible. Entrepreneurs with families often have to work differently, not longer. Instead of thinking you need a 40-hour week for your business, focus on consistent, high-quality time blocks, even if they are small.

Tip: Shift your mindset from “I don’t have time” to “How can I make time?”

2. Audit Your Current Schedule

Start by tracking your daily routines for a week. Identify:

• Tasks that are essential

• Tasks that can be delegated

• Tasks that are distractions or low-priority

You may discover pockets of time you didn’t realise existed - like early mornings, late evenings, or within school hours and clubs.

Example: You might find that you have been scrolling on your phone for the 60-minutes your children are at dance club. This is a great time to get the laptop out and focus in.

3. Prioritise Ruthlessly

Not everything you want to do for your business can happen at once. Focus on the 20% of actions that will drive 80% of your results (the Pareto Principle).

Ask yourself:

• What tasks directly move my business forward?

• What can wait?

• What can someone else do for me?

Learning to say no - or “not now” - is essential. Family and business both demand your attention, but prioritisation helps you serve both.

4. Use Micro-Sessions

Big blocks of uninterrupted time are often a no-go for parents, but micro-sessions can be surprisingly effective. Even 15-30 minutes of focused work can add up over a week.

Ideas for micro-sessions:

• Answer emails during nap time or after bedtime.

• Record content, draft social media posts or brainstorm ideas while commuting or sat waiting for the kids’ endless extracurricular activities to finish!

• Set a timer on your phone for 10-15 minutes in the evening. Get out your notebook and write out your thoughts, feelings, plans and projects. Don’t pick up your phone to avoid distraction!

5. Involve Your Family

Your family doesn’t have to be a barrier - they can be part of the journey. Share your vision with your spouse or children, and ask for support. This might look like:

• Splitting childcare duties with your partner

• Scheduling “business time” while your kids are engaged in activities

• Involving older children in simple tasks, like testing products or brainstorming ideas

When your family understands the why, they are more likely to support the how. This is also a great opportunity for your children to understand what you are doing, why you are working so hard and see that you are working to create a life that they too, can benefit from.

6. Automate and Delegate

Technology and outsourcing are lifesavers. Automate repetitive tasks where possible:

• Use scheduling tools for social media and appointments

• Hire freelancers for tasks like graphic design, bookkeeping, copywriting or website maintenance

• Batch similar tasks together to maximise efficiency

Delegation doesn’t mean doing less; it means focusing your limited time on what only you can do.

7. Protect Your Personal Time

Burnout is real for parent entrepreneurs. Protecting time for rest, family, and self-care isn’t optional - it’s essential. A well-rested, emotionally available parent is a more effective entrepreneur.

Tip: Schedule family activities and downtime in your calendar as non-negotiable appointments. Your business blossoms when your personal life thrives.

8. Embrace Flexibility

Life with children is unpredictable. Some days you may work less than planned - and that’s okay. Build flexibility into your schedule, and focus on consistency over perfection. Small, steady progress compounds into major results over time.

9. Set Clear Boundaries

When working, try to minimise distractions. Create a dedicated workspace, use headphones, or communicate “do not disturb” periods to your family. Conversely, when you are with your family, give them your full attention. Clear boundaries prevent resentment and help maintain focus in both areas. Remember what you are doing this for.

10. Celebrate Small Wins

Every step forward counts, no matter how small. Launching a business while managing a family is a feat on its own. Celebrate:

• Completing a marketing plan

• Reaching your first client

• Finishing a week of consistent business time

Acknowledging progress fuels motivation and reminds you that your hard work is paying off.

Final Thoughts

Finding time to set up and run a business with children and family commitments is less about having “more hours in the day” and more about using the hours you do have intentionally. By auditing your time, prioritizing ruthlessly, leveraging micro-sessions, and involving your family, you can steadily grow your business without sacrificing what matters most.

It’s not easy, but it is possible, and every step forward counts.