Self Employed Moms?

Re: Self Employed Moms?

• LeighAnne1941

  July 2009

  We are TTC #2 and I am in the middle of starting a new business.  How's that for crazy? LOL.  I plan on working as long as physically possible and then taking a full month off without doing any working.  I'm fortunate that my business will allow me to work with my baby in the office for the first several months and I can do client meetings in the evening and on weekends.  I'll probably be tired and not take on a full client load until 6 months or so but I need to keep something going or I will lose all the momentum I gain in the next 9 months to a year.
  

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• sophia78

  July 2009

  I'm a Massage Therapist as well.  I worked up to 35 weeks, but had reduced my hours by about 28 wks.  ( havn;t had baby yet) I don't technically get a mat leave, but i chose to get replacements to see my clients and take a percentage off of them so i could have some kind of income to atleast cover my overhead and give me a lil cash flow, as well started saving as soon as i got my bfp. i had some credit card debt and am paying that off with some of my savings.  i was not ttc, this came as a bit of a wonderful suprise, so i had no plan, so your already ahead of where i was. but come up with a payment plan for your student loans, that will allow you to save as much for baby as possible.  i found saving a ton at the beginning was way easier, because as you get further along (3rd tri) you get exhausted, that being said go easy on yourself in the 1st tr, you may be way to tired and do not want to push it.  but you will make it happen.  then when you are ready to return consider keeping the replacement on staff for relief help continue to take a percentage so you have a lil extra income. that may help take the pressure off working to much right away. hope this helps.

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• martinigirl9

  July 2009

  Do you mind me asking what type of percentage you worked out? Does your replacement come in to where you worked and see your clients? I hadn't thought about doing this but I think it's a super idea!  And thank you for letting me know how it is treating while pregnant. It's nice to have an idea of a timeline although I guess it does vary for everyone.

  I also like the idea of trying to work evenings and weekends. Then I wouldn't have to worry about a baby sitter as my DH could watch the baby. Thanks so much for the advice!!!

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• sophia78

  July 2009

  your very welcome! I have the therapists on a 60/40 split, them 60 me 40

  they are seeing my clients at my clinic, so there is little disruption on my clientele, they can use all of my supplies, linens, equipment, lotion, computer etc. and they get instant clients.  so i don't feel badly taking a percentage because i am offering them a great opportunity and they are helping me out bigtime to, so its a win win!  I'm returning 2 days a week in the new year.  one afternoon/evening one day time.  I will then be adding back days as i go, but all the while keeping one of my therapist on staff so waitlists don't get out of control, the goal is to not lose clients if at all possible.  You have a great plan at working evenings, just watch how much evening hours you commit to ahead of time, you don't want to commit that to yoru clients then have to pull out due to the exhaustion of being a new momma! Thats why having an extra therapist  on hand is so well....handy. And you tell your clients for ex: you can start back 2 evenings a week and you will add as your able and will certainly keep them posted as you want this to be a nice transition for them, instead of making promises you may not want to keep, which would be so understandable.

  And your totally right, timelines for working are different for everyone, just a heads up, as soon as i found out i was expecting, i made sure i gave myself 30 min. breaks inbetween each client, made sure i always scheduled myself an adequate lunch (to nap if needed) i was really tired, but the physical aspect of the job was a godsent because it kept me active and alert, where if i had a deskjob i would have fallen asleep over my keyboard! then as soon as i hit 2nd tri i had much more energy, and i increased back up to where i was comfortable and was able to maintain really good hours for a long time.  I did the majority of my saving 1st and 2nd tri, by about 30 weeks i could no longer do 5 in a day (long gone were the six in a day) so i was just maintaining savings, not really adding.  but thats okay, you can only do what you can do. i set up this plan and put it in motion early 2nd tri, it was a bit of a nightmare finding people, but i kept at it and worked with alumni services at local colleges, and word of mouth.  so here i am 36 weeks, with both replacements, some savings in the bank and hopefully all my overhead covered and some extra for cashflow.... us self employed gals can pull it off, you just need to get creative, but thats why were self employed in the first place right?!!! Best of luck in your ttc journey, like i said you are planning your pregnancy so you are ahead of the game, not scrambling like i did, so talk to your bank re: student loans,tell them what you can do payment schedule wise, you'll be suprised how people bend when they hear why you need to negotiate. Can you tell this has been my world for the past 9 months!!!

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• martinigirl9

  July 2009

  Thank you so much!!! You truely are my inspiration right now. You have been such a huge help! I've been feeling so anxious over how to deal with work and not lose clients and be a new mom and reading how you've done it all really puts me at ease and makes me feel like I can do this! Good luck with everything!

   

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• sophia78

  July 2009

  awww i'm really glad my situation was able to give you some insight and relief that it can be done:)!!!!! And thank you for the well wishes:)

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