Building a Business While Raising Babies—Mompreneur Style
- Ivy Johnson
- Feb 3
- 4 min read
It happened. After months of practicing exactly what I preach—using social media to share my story and build trust—I finally signed another client. A real, paying client who sees the value in what I do.
But as I sit across from them on our discovery call, I hear the familiar voices in my head creeping in: What if I’m not what they’re looking for? What if I can’t give them what they think they need? I’ve only been in business for eight months, and despite happy clients and glowing testimonials, imposter syndrome still finds a way to show up.
The questions keep coming: Will this new client connect with my approach? Will I be able to exceed their expectations? Please tell me they aren’t just trying to ‘go viral.’ What have they been doing that isn’t working? Don’t they know they can do this without me?
Yet, here’s the truth: They signed because they believe in me. Now, it’s time to believe in myself.
For me, digital media consulting isn’t just about algorithms, engagement rates, or click-through conversions. It’s about helping small businesses—brands built from the ground up with grit, passion, and often, very little spare time—extend their reach beyond their physical location. I grew up in the small business world, and I know firsthand how valuable every single dollar is. A brick-and-mortar store can be beautifully curated with incredible products, but if you only focus on the customers who walk through your doors, you’re missing an entire world of potential buyers simply because you lack an online presence.
That’s where I come in.
My job isn’t just to post content—it’s to craft a digital presence that feels like an extension of my client’s business. From what I've seen, small business owners are spread so thin that trying to focus on the digital side of the business are often overlooked or poorly done. Here are some small business digital needs I think every business needs, and they may be things that you're not even thinking about:
An active social media presence that conveys your brand’s voice, builds trust with your audience, and nurtures relationships that lead to sales.
Email campaigns & newsletters, including design and engagement management.
Brand reputation management, ensuring timely responses to both positive and negative online reviews.
Print asset design, from flyers to business cards to promo materials.
Web design & management, making sure your website feels like an extension of your brand. This includes updated graphics, fresh photos, blog content, and a seamless user experience.
Ecommerce optimization, ensuring that your shop pages convert visitors into actual sales.
Of course, I know a small business can’t always afford everything on this list. My services exist for those brands that know they need help, are ready to get it, but can’t justify agency-level pricing. But getting a client to buy in isn’t always easy. Even when they know they need help, handing over any part of their business—especially their brand’s voice—feels like giving up control. I get that. Which is why I approach every project with one simple goal: Make it feel like they wrote it themselves.
I spend hours listening to my clients talk about their struggles, their wins, their goals, and their values. I sit with their words. I absorb their tone. And then, I bring it to life online.
One of the hardest parts of onboarding a new client isn’t earning their trust (although that just takes time)—it’s talking money. Small businesses don’t have big agency budgets. I know that because I am a small business mom. My mission is to make high-quality digital support accessible to brands that need it but can’t justify agency prices. That’s a tough line to walk—offering services at a price that respects both their budget and my own time.
I’ve worked with clients who had $50 a month to spend and others who had a few thousand. No matter the budget, I try to maximize every dollar, but the reality is, overworking for too little isn’t sustainable for anyone. Pricing my services has been one of my biggest learning curves as an entrepreneur—figuring out how to serve my clients without undervaluing my own expertise.
My business doesn’t run out of an office. It runs in the in-between mompreneur moments of my day:
Stirring dinner while scheduling posts
Holding a baby while reviewing analytics (Can he always stay this small?)
Taking calls during naptime and school pickup
Editing videos during basketball practice
There’s no perfect balance. Some days I feel like I’m thriving, others I feel like I’m barely keeping up. But through trial and error, I’ve learned a few things:
Flexibility is a skill. You have to be adaptable as a mompreneur.
Calendars and reminders save lives. I once completely missed a client call because I double-booked myself. (I actually was out doing work for another clients. Oops!)
Everything takes more time than expected. Social media growth, website overhauls, even writing a single post—it all takes time.
Not every client is the right fit. Just because they want to work with me doesn’t mean I should take them on.
Small wins matter. Going viral isn’t the goal—building consistency and trust is. Keep going, stay consistent, and listen to what your analytics are telling you.
I may not have it all figured out, but I do know this: Every day, I’m building something real. For my life stage, for my family, for myself. I’m learning. I’m growing. And I’m helping others do the same.
To the small business owners juggling a million things, trying to make every dollar count, and wondering if their online presence is worth the effort—it is. And I see you. Because I am you.
So, here’s to the messy, imperfect, beautiful process of building a business that works for us—not the other way around.
If handing off your digital presence feels scary (I get it!), I promise it doesn’t have to be. Let’s talk about how I can be an extension of your brand and make your life easier.
Want to see more behind-the-scenes of this wild ride? Follow me here, where I share the real, unfiltered moments of building a business as a mom.
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