Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Marisa Lonic, Founder of Mama Work It, located in Bay Area, CA, USA.

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

I'm a keynote speaker, life & business coach, 3x author, top-rated podcast host, and the founder of Mama Work It. After spending nearly 15 years in corporate leadership positions, I shifted gears to become a full-time Time Momager & Biz Momager. My books, courses, and coaching programs help busy moms juggle mom life, work-life, wife life, and fill-in-the-blank life. My time management and goal achievement strategies had helped the most overwhelmed mamas turn their dreams into reality, even when they thought they had no time to make any of it happen.

Aside from supporting working parents with the daily juggle, you can find me cooking delicious meals for my kids that they may or may not eat, walking or running in the neighborhood, and hanging out with my five amazing family members (husband, four kids, and a dog).

Tell us about yourself

In 2015, I was offered a significant job promotion in the corporate world. As an ambitious, career-driven woman, the opportunity seemed exciting and the logical next step. As a newer mom, partner, and woman still getting the hang of working motherhood, the step seemed a little scary and unsure. Even though from the outside looking in, it appears that I had it all together - juggling motherhood, marriage, and work, internally, I felt like a hot mess express. How could I possibly take on more responsibility at work, a longer commute, a cross-country move, and expect to have enough time to dedicate to my kids, my husband, and my home? I turned down the opportunity and quickly regretted my decision. I ended up taking the job, found new ways to maximize efficiency, changed my mindset around time, pursued my goals, and was able to show up as the best version of myself for my family. Now, I help other women do the same. Pursuing your personal and professional goals while being the amazing mom and partner you want to be is possible.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been to fully step into entrepreneurship without the safety net of a job. As someone who is fairly risk-averse, the thought of leaving a six-figure, stable salary with benefits, PTO, and an executive title seemed like an irresponsible thing to do, especially with a family to support and even more especially when I was able to juggle the two worlds like a time management and productivity expert. But, the work feels hard when things no longer feel aligned, no matter how many systems and tools you implement. When this happened to me, I knew it was time to step into entrepreneurship as my sole focus.

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

Sometimes as a business owner, you have the worst boss out there -yourself. You can place impossible expectations on yourself, skip over important milestones, "forget" to celebrate when you accomplish them, and never feel fully satisfied with the output. I've been fortunate to never have worked for a boss like this in real life, although sometimes, I find I can be that boss to me! It's important to recognize this and remember to treat yourself the same way you'd treat your employees: recognizing their efforts and accomplishments, putting reasonable expectations on them, and being the motivator and cheerleader they need when things get hard.

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

Consistency.
Consistency.
Consistency.

In my opinion, consistency is the only way to start, run, and grow a business. Show up consistently. Believe in yourself consistently. Deliver value consistently. Get out of your comfort zone consistently. When you get in the habit of being consistent, you can do nothing but move forward.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

New book coming out in the fall: Biz MOMagement: The Working Mom's Guide to Go from Employee to Entrepreneur

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.mamaworkit.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letmamaworkit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letmamaworkit/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisalonic/

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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