How Entrepreneurship Redefines Work-Life Balance for Women

It has long been known that women are disproportionately burdened with the majority of caregiving and household responsibilities, meaning working women often have a "double burden" of paid and unpaid work. In heterosexual relationships, women still do around 65% of the household work. Chores that are routine – cooking and cleaning, for instance – tend to fall to women, while intermittent chores, such as sorting out finances or mowing the lawn, are more likely to be done by men. This means that the unpaid female role’s to-do list is relentless. After all, it doesn’t really matter if the lawn doesn’t get mowed, but try ignoring laundry or washing up for a month. Add the burden of cognitive labour – remembering birthdays, organising play dates etc – which again disproportionately falls to women in heterosexual relationships - and you can see why women have such a bad deal.

I was raised by a no-nonsense single mother who had to make the undoubtedly difficult choice of career over mothering when I was 7 years old, no doubt fed up with the financial struggles she had faced since I was born. She ended up leaving nursing, meeting my step-dad, an anti-social and reclusive man with violent tendencies, and taking a job that involved lots of travelling, often leaving me for weeks on end with him. A strong, independent feminist, this choice she made left me bemused in my early adult years. Did she sell out? Was I emotionally abandoned? The reality was that for ambitious women who find themselves with a child (or children), there is little choice. It can finally be said with certainty that the "having it all" myth has well and truly been debunked. Whilst society is still geared towards men, and against women with children, sacrifices will always have to be made, this is now for sure. So where does that leave women in 2024? Many women are abandoning the idea of having children altogether, finding the work-life balance hard enough without kids, but for the women that have children, or still want to have children, is this work-life-family balance even possible? Because as a parent myself, I can say with conviction that the family part of that equation is no walk in the park. We still need some "life" balance where we have time time for doing the things we love as women and individuals. And yes it's a choice to have kids, but I don't think any of us have a clue how hard it will be before we enter into it. We are simply following a strong biological/emotional urge, unbeknown of how hard the struggle really is.

At the age of 30, I found myself at this crossroads. Just as my legal career was taking off, I welcomed my daughter into the world. Not long after, I faced the reality of divorce, thrusting me into a situation reminiscent of my mother's and countless other women's struggles. The daunting challenge of balancing a demanding career in an unforgiving industry where long hours and unwavering commitment were the norm left me with few options. I was caught in a bind: sacrifice precious time with my daughter for grueling 12-hour workdays, knowing that the exorbitant childcare costs would hardly justify the decision, or bid farewell to my legal aspirations altogether. Having invested years in obtaining a law degree, completing the LPC, and earning a master's degree, walking away from the legal profession was no easy feat. However, as I grappled with this dilemma, one truth remained crystal clear: my daughter didn't choose this life; she was my priority, plain and simple. So, what was the solution? It was at this pivotal moment that I turned to entrepreneurship for answers.

Launching Laugh and Learn, a children's entertainment business, was my ticket out of the conundrum. Running kids' classes throughout the week and hosting children's parties on weekends became my new reality. Yes, it often meant working seven day weeks just to pay the bills, and yes I was beyond exhausted, but I found a career in which I could bring my daughter with me. This absolved some of the guilt I would have otherwise been feeling. But why should we have to make these choices as women? Why should this guilt be forced upon us when we are simply trying to do the best we can? Not every woman will fancy the idea of entertaining throngs of screaming children at parties, and nor should they have to. I barely survived it and after 5 years, and finding ourselves in the throws of a pandemic, I was back to square one. And again (and especially mid-pandemic) entrepreneurship was the only solution. For us women facing the struggles in navigating the labyrinth of work-life balance, the journey remains a perpetual challenge.

Entrepreneurship presents a compelling alternative to traditional employment models for many reasons. Firstly, it offers greater flexibility and autonomy, making it an appealing choice for women looking to strike a more harmonious balance between work and life or work life and family. Whilst of course it comes with its own challenges (nothing in life is easy for women), if you can start a viable business, you have the ability to set your own schedule. Unlike traditional jobs that adhere to fixed hours and office protocols, running your own business allows you to dictate when, where, and how you work. This level of flexibility is especially beneficial for women who may need to adjust their schedules to accommodate family commitments, such as school pickups, doctor's appointments, or caring for elderly relatives. By eliminating the rigid constraints of traditional employment, entrepreneurship empowers women to tailor their work hours to fit their unique circumstances, ultimately fostering a healthier work-life balance.

Entrepreneurship also offers women the opportunity to integrate their personal and professional lives more seamlessly. Rather than compartmentalising work and family as separate spheres, women entrepreneurs have the flexibility to intertwine these aspects of their lives in a way that feels organic and fulfilling. Whether it's involving children in business activities like I did with Laugh and Learn, setting up a home office to be closer to family, or incorporating flexible work arrangements, entrepreneurship allows women to create a more cohesive and integrated approach to managing their responsibilities. This holistic approach to life tends to suit women far better than hierarchical, rigid structures prevalent in workplaces.

Another compelling aspect of entrepreneurship for women is the potential for increased financial independence and empowerment. By starting our own businesses, we can take control of our earning potential and pursue ventures that align with our passions and expertise. This autonomy not only provides women with greater financial stability but also boosts our confidence and sense of agency in navigating the professional world. Entrepreneurship offers women a platform to challenge traditional gender norms and break free from the constraints of male-dominated industries, empowering us to carve out our own paths to success on our own terms.

At The Female Network, we're dedicated to empowering women to embrace entrepreneurship and chart their own course to success. Through start-up services, mentorship programs, networking events, and resources tailored to the unique challenges women face in business, we provide the support and guidance needed to thrive in the entrepreneurial landscape. Together, we're building a future where every woman has the opportunity to achieve work-life harmony and fulfillment on her own terms.