Define Motherhood on Your Own Terms

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cayley Benjamin, Founder of Cayley Benjamin Motherhood Coaching, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

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

I support mothers through their matrescence - the profound transformation and identity shift - physical, psychological, social, political, and spiritual - that a mother experiences as she transitions into and journeys through motherhood. I do this through one-on-one coaching support and virtual group programs. My clients are mothers.

Tell us about yourself

Prior to starting my own business, I spent 14 years in the corporate world as a personal and leadership development facilitator and coach. I supported people through major career and personal transitions, identity shifts, overwhelm, burnout, fulfillment, clarity, joy, presence, and self-compassion. Through the years, many coaching clients and workshop attendees were parents, and I've noticed that the experiences of parents - particularly mothers - were often hidden, unspoken and unsupported. Becoming a mom myself was the catalyst for this business. There's a societal belief that the transition to motherhood is simply an event, yet I believe that the transition to motherhood is a personal journey that continues for a lifetime. The challenges, as well as the personal growth experienced through a person's matrescence, are extraordinary, and mothers need support through this evolution.

What motivates me is knowing that I am playing a part in redefining the role of a mother and the experience of motherhood for our generation. Ultimately, this will shape the role of a mother for future generations as well. My vision is that my son (who's 3) uses the word matrescence as comfortably as he uses the word adolescence.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is seeing the changes that moms are making in their lives based on experiencing my one-on-one coaching and group programs. I'm so proud of the 60+ clients I've had in the first (almost) two years of my business and the hundreds (maybe thousands?) of mothers that have experienced personal shifts through my work in community workshops and on social channels.

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

Being a sole operator and the fact that it is up to me to do EVERYTHING has been the hardest thing. I'm the IT help desk, tech setup, marketer, accountant, program developer, and coach/facilitator. I have learned that I need to continually revisit my priorities and have strong boundaries on what I say yes and no to. It has been hard to turn down opportunities or to pause on bringing great ideas to life because I don't have the time/energy, and yet I'm very clear that I started this business so that I could live in line with my values, and prioritize my life as a mother and my wholistic well-being.

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

Believe in yourself. Notice where you limit yourself and any unhelpful thought patterns (i.e., who am I to be doing this? I'm not good at business development, I'm not worth that much). A great coach can support you through this.
See your business as an experiment! We learn by trial and error
and see every move you make as an opportunity to learn what your customers want. No one signs up for your program? Instead of taking it personally, learn what it is that your customers really do want.
Continue to reground on your values and priorities. Focus on a few key priorities at a time, say no to opportunities if they don't align with your priorities, respond to emails in your own time, and bravely build a business that aligns with what matters to you.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.cayleybenjamin.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cayleybenjamin/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cayleybenjamin/

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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