How I Balance Motherhood and Running A Creative Business

I do not have it all figured out.

And the idea of “perfect balance”? I released that a long time ago.

If you’re a mom who also runs a business, or you’re thinking about taking that leap, I want to share what this actually looks like for me, because I think we need more of the real version and less of the highlight reel.

First things first: let go of the idea of perfect balance.

It doesn’t exist, and chasing it will exhaust you in ways that have nothing to do with how hard you’re working. Balance, at least in my experience, is not a 50/50 split every single day. Some days it’s not even close.

There are days where I am 80% business and 20% mom. Shoots run long. Deadlines pile up. Edit queues don’t care that it’s a Tuesday. On those days, I lean on my support system, I extend grace to myself, and I remind myself that showing up fully in my work *is* showing up for my family.

That’s just the reality of it, and I’ve made peace with that.

But most days? Most days look like freedom.

Most days of the week look like me having the flexibility to take my kids to COSI, or the Columbus Zoo, or the library, and then getting client work done in the evenings once they’re down. Most days look like being present for the moments that matter without having to ask anyone for permission

That flexibility is *why* I built this. It didn’t happen overnight, and it required a lot of intentional structure in how I run my business, but that’s the whole point. I wanted a business that worked around my life, not the other way around.

I love being able to include them.

My kids have been on Zoom calls with me. They’ve shown up in the studio during sessions. They’ve been background noise on client calls more times than I can count. And honestly? Most of my clients love it. Because it’s real. It’s human. It’s exactly the kind of authenticity that I help other business owners capture in their own brand work.

The messy, beautiful reality of being a mom-preneur is part of my brand — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I wouldn’t trade it for anything!

Even on the hard days, the days where the to-do list is longer than the hours, where someone has a meltdown right before a deadline, I still wouldn’t trade this. Because the hard days are still *my* days. I’m building something. I’m showing my kids what it looks like to follow your passion, do good work, and create a life with intention.

If you’re in the thick of it right now, I see you. You’re doing better than you think.

And if you’ve been putting off your brand session because you’re “too busy” or “it’s not the right time” , mama, it’s never going to be the perfect time. Let’s book your session and give your business the visuals it deserves. 

I’d love to work with you.→ (https://www.brookenicolecreative.com/contact)