Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Megan Gillespie, Founder and CEO of Boss Ladies and Babies, located in Olympia, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I'm a mentor for mom business owners and the founder and CEO of Boss Ladies and Babies. Boss Ladies and Babies provides resources, support, education, and community for moms who own businesses while raising children.

Tell us about yourself

I've been an entrepreneur my entire life and have owned and managed businesses from hair salons to real estate (and a few things in between). When we decided it was time to start a family back in 2018, I was faced with a major identity crisis of how I could remain the well-respected, professional "boss lady" I'd worked my whole life to be AND to be the type of mother I always dreamed of becoming. I didn't want to choose, but unfortunately, I felt the pressure that I had to.

When I was pregnant with my now 4-year-old daughter, the pressure was too much to bear. I decided that not only was I not going to choose, but I was going to embrace this journey of motherhood and let motherhood and my experiences become the foundation of my business. Yes, I'm a professional, but I'm also a mom. This is how Boss Ladies and Babies came to be, and it all started as a podcast.

I knew that I couldn't be the only woman who was feeling this way, so I decided that being vulnerable and real on a public platform was a great place to start. The fears of people not taking me as seriously or wanting to work with someone else when they found out I had children quickly melted away the more I opened up and talked about it. And the more I shared, the more I started to hear "me too" as a community was quickly forming.

I was not only facing and shattering my own fears but also creating a safe space for other moms to feel seen, heard, and not alone! And my experiences as a mother and business owner were actually helping people. Once the pandemic hit, my real estate career was literally shut down, and I realized that helping other moms reach their dreams, in both business and motherhood, was my true calling.

In late 2020 Boss Ladies and Babies turned from a passion project podcast to my main focus and has continued growing and supporting women through the podcast, membership community, and a variety of resources. I've since welcomed another baby to our family, and as my children grow, I'm reminded that being able to run a business with your children in tow is truly living the dream.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I have a couple! Last year (2021), I was asked to collaborate with two other powerhouses, "mompreneurs," to bring our experiences together a co-author a book: our book, The Millennials' Guide for Working Parents. I just celebrated my first anniversary of becoming a published author!

The second would be the membership community I've formed, Boss Ladies and Babies Headquarters. This space is what my dreams were made of back when I started my podcast. I never imagined such a place could come true. This community is full of women who are looking to connect, support and inspire each other. Who shows up and vents about motherhood while working together on the next business breakthrough. The relationships that have formed because of this group makes me so proud! To have created a space that helps women grow and succeed without making sacrifices is truly an honor to be part of.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The hardest thing I've found as a business owner is self-doubt. We live in a world that is so easy to compare ourselves to everyone around us. And, though we love instant gratification, things with business don't always come quickly. You may work really hard on your best idea yet, and once it goes out into the world, it totally flops. Talk about a punch to the gut... especially when you see everyone around you "succeeding."

There have been a handful of times throughout my career where I've thought, "am I a fraud" or "should I just give it all up now" but these intrusive thoughts are so normal! And then, of course, becoming a mom and the fears of not being seen as professional. Self-doubt can be all-consuming at times. But, every time your push through these moments of doubt, you come out on the other end strong. Every time you don't give up, your business becomes more solid. It is just a matter of ditching the compassions and being patient with yourself.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Don't hide who you are. The more you can show up and be vulnerable, real, be YOU, the easier it will be to grow the type of business you are really dreaming of. YOU are what will set you apart from everyone else who does what you're doing and grow the kind of community that is going to truly support you.
  2. Be patient. Even the best thought-out plans don't always go according to plan. Success may not happen overnight, and that is ok! Just keep at it, remember WHY you are doing this, and be ready to pivot when things don't go as planned.
  3. Set up systems from the beginning. The behind-the-scenes systems and operations of your business can make or break you! The more organized you can be from the beginning, the easier it will be to grow. Get clear on the steps it takes to execute every part of your business and keep track as you grow. Having great systems in place will make your customers' experience the best it can be, which means they'll want to keep working with you and tell their friends!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.bossladiesandbabies.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bossladiesandbabies
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bossladiesandbabies/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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