5 Lessons I Learned When I Transformed My Passion Project into a Business
I’ve teamed up with Chicco for their “Get Your Gig On Campaign” to share guidance for parents with side projects.
As the founder of Mother Untitled, a community for women who downshift or pause paid work to focus on family, I’ve long known that side projects are critical to staying fulfilled and motivated. After all, leaving the commercial workforce does not mean you shed the part of yourself that gravitates toward creativity, ambition, and career. That part of you will always be there and need nurturing. I was curious to learn how many of Mother Untitled’s followers manage personal projects (both paid and unpaid) alongside family life, so I informally polled our 85,000+ followers on Instagram. It turns out 70 percent do! Even when motherhood became my primary work over the last six years, I found that my side project (Mother Untitled) turned into a passion that I wanted to grow. And now that my kids have gotten just a little older, I’ve managed to turn that project into a business. It wasn’t as simple as it sounds, but I’m glad to be at the point where I can share support, resources, and tools that empowered me to help others.
Today, I’ve teamed up with Chicco USA as part of its “Get Your Gig On” initiative, which also uncovered data that parents are leaning into side gigs in pursuit of passions, to share some insights on how I managed to do it. Remember, there’s no one path to pursuing your passions or launching your own business, and the path won’t always be smooth. These are simply some nuggets of wisdom I wanted to share to support your journey.
Parenthood can be fertile ground for new business ideas.
Parenthood can be fertile ground for new business ideas. Stepping into primary caregiving and away from corporate America allowed me to put my ego aside and try new things I wasn’t necessarily good at. As I stopped caring so much about what other people thought of me, I suddenly became more observant of the world around me, talked to people I never would have otherwise met, and developed insights that became the foundation of my business. In playgroups and baby music classes, I came across many women who felt mislabeled as stay-at-home mothers and didn’t want to be counted out of the workforce. That pattern inspired me to start a platform to help these new friends feel seen and understood. My advice: Audit the conversations that light you up and contemplate the social media accounts you stop on when scrolling. These are the clues to your passions and the potential seeds for your side project.
Don't let your pace outweigh your purpose.
Don't let your pace outweigh your purpose. The first iterations of my business were a blog and an Instagram account. And with only a few hours to work on them each week, I devised a focused scope that wouldn’t be too time intensive. This consisted of a weekly interview with an impressive woman whom I met in motherhood, and, in doing so, I gradually created a new, empowered image of a life phase focused on family. As these women shared our interviews with their networks, my brand’s footprint grew, even while devoting a modest amount of time to it.
Set multiple metrics for success—and keep updating them.
Set multiple metrics for success—and keep updating them. Almost every day, I receive Instagram messages from women who tell me my content makes them feel validated and empowered. Long ago, I decided to keep going as long as I got those messages; they are my number one measure of success. But I also set smaller, more tangible goals each quarter that fit my life stage and my family’s needs. In phases when my children needed me almost full-time, and childcare was scarce, I kept my goals modest—like arranging just one monthly Zoom with a new contact or sending a single pitch to a media outlet.
Lean into ease to make room for your passion.
Lean into ease to make room for your passion. Over the years as a mother of two, I’ve managed to keep Mother Untitled humming by letting go of certain expectations—namely, a clean house and homemade dinners— and using nap time for my work. Frozen foods make my life easier, so I rely on them! I’m also constantly looking for products and services that save time and make the day-to-day grind less exhausting. For new parents especially, the right gear can make all the difference. For example, the Chicco SnugSupport 4-in-1 Infant Carrier makes it easy to meet friends or colleagues for coffee and keep your hands free, while the Dash Instant Setup Playard can be set up in just a few minutes, giving your baby a safe place to play or nap during a Zoom meeting.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. When I started Mother Untitled, I was determined to grow it without disrupting time with my family and our daily routines and schedules. I strictly blocked time during naps and after bedtime. In other words, I took time from myself instead of from my kids so I wouldn’t compromise quality family time. But as my mission grew, I realized I needed time for myself. Working around the clock without breaks wasn’t good for me or my family, so I knew I needed to ask for help. As a first step, my husband started taking the kids solo for a few hours every weekend so I could have time for myself, whether for self-care or to work more. That time meant the world to me; it allowed me to show up for my kids feeling like my best self and underscored how much my partner believed in my work and mission.
When I look back at the seasons of parenting when it seemed like Mother Untitled was moving forward at a glacial pace, I can now see the silver lining. That time with my kids made my work—and who I am—more complete. Whether Mother Untitled was a hobby, a project, or a business, at every stage, it has helped shape my sense of self and given me clarity on the best use of my time. What could be more worthwhile than that?
This is a sponsored post in partnership with Chicco.
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