Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
I think this challenge never really goes away! I’m fortunate to have a respectful and understanding husband, and we see raising our children as a partnership that requires us both to contribute. This has become even more important as I have needed to be able to teach over the weekends, which previously would have been purely family time.
It’s never easy though. I work whenever I can alongside trying to be a present mother. Often that looks like sneaking emails in at nap time, social media when we have screen time or working late into the evenings. I don’t think I ever quite get the balance just so, and it constantly ebbs and flows!
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
The big challenge I face is financial stability and the need to be in control. I am evolving to learn to trust in my abilities and the power of the services I can provide.
I have also worked hard to unpick my social conditioning. As women, we are often conditioned to see other women as competition and it’s really sad. I’m seeing the power in community more than ever, and connecting with other local women running their own businesses has been so wonderful. Co-achievement over competition is a fantastic mantra – the universe is abundant and has enough for us all to thrive.
I am increasingly finding that with hard work, the drive to provide for my family and trusting in myself yields great results. So more of that I guess!
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The biggest positive is most definitely having the flexibility and freedom to be a present and active mother alongside doing work that I absolutely love. When I work, it doesn’t feel like work. I get so much fulfilment out of giving people the best start on their path to parenthood that I can’t wait to get started each day.
The biggest con is all the serious stuff that needs to be done! From tax returns, to managing cash flow, I don’t find a lot of that stuff comes naturally to me, so I have to really put time aside to learn and do it properly.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
Bigger and better! I want to grow Journey Ahead to be the go-to business for antenatal education, doula care and women’s coaching. Every expectant parent I work with leaves a big imprint on my life, and I can’t wait to discover more women out there that would love to empower themselves to create lives that they love.
I also recently started my own podcast and would love to grow that as it’s a brilliant way to connect and share the thoughts that we all feel alone with as new parents.
Visit the Journey Ahead website to find out more about the wonderful services Hannah offers. You can also join her supportive communities on Facebook and Instagram.
