When my daughter was 7, she said that she never wanted to be a business owner because of me. It shocked me to my core because I thought I was such a great role model! I clarified what she meant and this might sound familiar to you:

"You are never home."
"You are always taking care of someone else."
"I don't like your clients."
"You're always grumpy and on the phone during our vacations."
"Dad never is, so I want a job like Dad's."

She was 7 years old. Her brothers were 11 and 13 years old.

I had been a business owner for 10+ years at that point and it gave me stomach pains to realize how long I had chosen other people's needs over my children's needs. The mom/parent guilt was unreal.

When I realized I was the problem, I started shifting my mindset and behavior that week. It was not easy. I had to change 10+ years of mindset on my boundaries, my prices, and how I delegated responsibility within my organization. I had conversations with my team and we put a plan in place to reduce my hours, raise prices, and fire the clients that did not align with me/them.

It took me two years to go from working 80 hour work weeks to working 15 hour work weeks. I was constantly looking in the mirror to own my workaholic behaviors and shift them. My executives had to keep holding the boundaries and reminding me that they needed me to continue putting my family first because it made me a better mentor for them and holding to their own boundaries. Plus, while they did need/want me for big picture and vision, I was more of a hindrance than a help when it came to the day to day operations.

6 years later, I do work 15 hours a week, running multiple businesses. I home school my daughter and I *think* we have a fabulous relationship. Last week she told me she didn't need to learn about budgeting because I would just do it for her with her business. I'm not sure if I take that as a win???? For my sons, I talk to my 19 year old daily and I attend all of my 17 year old's games and activities. We are all healing from when I was not there for them.

Life looks very different now and I have built my business to serve my needs versus putting everyone in front of my family. It is difficult to share this and my mom guilt is something I work on letting go of every time I show up for them.

Love you,
🦄🧡