If you’re on maternity leave and thinking of spending your time earning some money while you prepare to welcome your baby, you’ve come to the right place. This might also be a period where you’re deciding whether you want to go back to work after the baby’s born. This is also the perfect time to experiment with side hustle and businesses that you can manage from home.
Here are 7 tips to help you build a home-based business while on maternity leave:
1. Identify Your Passion and Skills
Write down your skills, passions, and strength. Consider if you can offer any freelance services like graphic design, content creation, social media management, or virtual assistance. You can also freelance as a consultant in your current career.
2. Research and Validate Your Business Idea
Explore the market for growth and competition, identify your target audience, and set a pricing model. Look for gaps or opportunities that align with your expertise. You can connect with professionals on LinkedIn and ask for their feedback and to validate the demand for your product or service. In the initial stages, you’ll be refining your side hustle idea every time, so find clients or customers who are willing to go through trial and error with you.
3. Create a Business Plan
Like any other business, outline your business objectives, target market, competitive analysis, marketing strategies, and financial projections for your home-based business. A well-structured business plan is like a blueprint that will guide you through the initial stages and help you stay focused on your goals.
4. Set Realistic Goals and Manage Your Time
As a new mom, your time and energy are valuable resources. Set realistic goals and create a schedule that accommodates your baby’s needs. Break down tasks into manageable chunks and prioritize your time effectively. Consider utilizing nap times or asking for support from family members to create dedicated work hours.
5. Leverage Online Platforms and Networking
A professional website where you market your products and services and write informative blogs has become the bare minimum for a home-based business. At the same time, use social media platforms to connect with your target audience, share your expertise, and testimonials from your clients. Network with other entrepreneurs and join online communities or Facebook groups to gain insights, support, and potential collaborations.
6. Seek Support and Mentorship
Entrepreneurship needs grit and determination. You’ll go through several phases of trial and error and find your way out of issues. However, that can take some time. All this can be avoided by hiring a business coach, who not only provides guidance but also encouragement and confidence that you are on the right path. You can also join local business organizations or online communities to find support.
7. Start Small and Scale Gradually
Create a step-by-step plan to gradually move towards officially launching the business. Focus on your initial target market and provide exceptional customer service. As your business grows, you can expand your offerings, reach a wider audience, and explore additional revenue streams. Maternity leave is not only a time for nurturing your newborn but also an opportunity to build a home-based business. If you’ve thought about entrepreneurship, it is a great skill to develop as you have some extra time on your hands. At Carrie’s Courses, we like supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and have created a series of useful resources to help you start this fulfilling journey. Get your freebies here!
