Salon owners, motherhood and the 'work/life balance' myth

The goal of creating a work/life balance has always been pushed on mothers with huge career ambitions. While the idea of having to choose one or the other is dying and the question; 'how do you juggle work and children?' now isn't just being asked to women, everyday female business owners prove that they can do both successfully and oftentimes better than their male counterparts. Here, we spoken to three female salon owners about their reality as a 'mumprenuer'.

Linda Stewart is the owner of Rainbow Room International with Alan Stewart

"Setting goals is crucial in all aspects of life, work and personal, and as a 'mumpreneur' it’s really important to set goals and have a business plan and vision in regards to where you see your business going and how you plan on your business being a success. Once you have this in place, you can take steps to achieving this and you will have great satisfaction achieving each of these steps along the way and seeing your vision and plan for your business coming to life and growing."

Karen Thomson is the owner of KAM Hair and Body Spa

"Prioritise and set out a work schedule that will work best for your business, and your family. It’s important to ensure you are in work enough to support your team and to make sure your business is running properly. However, it’s also important to have time with your family and that the days you have set to be at home, you’re at home and you make the time to be with your family – you’re not on your phone checking emails constantly or doing paperwork. I always think it’s important to have a set day to do your admin too, whether this be in the salon or at home, where you can all due diligence and admin is up to speed and dealt with. It's all about creating the perfect work life balance."

Krysia West is the owner of Perfectly Posh Hair

"Being a mum and running your own business is challenging however it is so rewarding as well. Organisation is key to being successful in both aspects of your life and some weeks it will feel a lot harder than others. My top tip is to assign days for admin where possible, outside of the salon. This helps you manage the admin tasks for your salon as well as any life admin jobs. This approach also allows you to be fully present when in the salon creating hair cuts and colours too as your mind won't feel as crazy."

Stacey Whittaker is the owner of Pouts and Pinups Hair and Beauty Salon

"Opening my own hair and beauty salon gave me a better work life balance as I now have a great team to help answer messages and manage my diary which is amazing. However, I can still be booked out the salon for freelance opportunities and shoots too so my life can be manic at times and with two young boys it is challenging. I find it best to set aside different days for different tasks where possible so I will focus on all my admin and meetings and then allow myself creative days too. The key for me is balance." Lead image via Shutterstock