I Was Building a Business But Missing My Life: How I Reclaimed Both
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The Endless Postponement of Living
There was a time when I was glued to my laptop from morning to night, promising myself that when my business reached {insert goal here}, I would finally have time to live the life I wanted.
I wouldn't be juggling a bazillion tech tools. I'd have quality time with my daughter. I'd cook great meals every day. I'd stop living on coffee and convenience foods. Sound familiar?
But what I came to realize after months of postponed living was profound: the goals kept shifting. The finish line kept moving. And I would never live that dream life unless I started living it NOW.
The Wake-Up Call
One evening, after another 12-hour day hunched over my laptop, my daughter asked if we could cook dinner together. I automatically responded with my usual: "Not tonight, sweetie. Mama's busy. Maybe on the weekend."
The look of resignation on her face hit me like a physical blow. She'd heard this promise so many times before. We both knew the weekend would bring more "urgent" work tasks.
That was the moment I realized I wasn't just missing her childhood – I was actively choosing to miss it, day after day, for a future that might never arrive on its own.
The Radical Restructuring
That night, I made a decision. I would stop waiting for the "someday" when my business would magically allow me the life I wanted. Instead, I would build my business AROUND the life I wanted, starting immediately.
My revolution had three key components:
1. Brutal Tech Simplification
I audited every single tool I was using to run my business. The email marketing platform. The course platform. The scheduling tool. The membership site. The landing page builder. The list went on and on.
I cut down to ONE main marketing tool that could handle everything, putting £2600+ per year BACK IN MY POCKET in the process.
No more tab-switching. No more integration nightmares. No more hours wasted troubleshooting tech problems.
2. Environment Redesign
I reinvested some of those savings into my kitchen, adding the necessary tools to make cooking with my daughter safe and fun in a beautiful space.
Kid-safe knives. A sturdy step stool. Proper storage systems. A small but mighty spice collection.
My kitchen became a space that invited creativity and connection, not just a place to heat up convenience meals between Zoom calls.
3. Non-Negotiable Time Blocks
This was the hardest but most transformative change. I completely restructured my days: Mornings: Laptop work, which I now call "teching." Client calls, content creation, admin – all condensed into focused morning sessions.
Afternoons: Time with my daughter, walking to the local fruit and veg shop, selecting ingredients together, and cooking – or as we call it, "tasting."
I made this schedule a non-negotiable. Each day I would work AND make time to cook a fresh meal, using that time as quality time with my daughter, teaching her life skills while having fun.
Was it easy? No. Did clients try to book afternoon calls? Yes. Did I sometimes feel the pull to "just finish one more thing" on my laptop? Absolutely. But I held firm. Because I realized something important: there will always be more work, but there won't always be these precious years with my child.
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The Unexpected Business Boom
Here's the plot twist I didn't see coming: my business didn't suffer from this restructuring. It thrived.
With focused, distraction-free morning work sessions, I actually accomplished more meaningful work in less time.
With simplified tech, I stopped wasting hours on troubleshooting and integrations.
With regular breaks to walk to the market and cook with my daughter, my creativity flowed more freely, my stress levels dropped, and my client work improved.
And perhaps most surprisingly, my content became more authentic and resonant. Talking about my real life – balancing business and family, cooking together, simplifying systems – attracted more of my ideal clients than ever before.
The Ripple Effect
The changes I made had effects far beyond just my schedule:
My health improved. Real, fresh food instead of convenience meals. Regular movement during the day. Less stress. More joy.
My relationship with my daughter deepened. We created a daily ritual of connection that went beyond superficial "how was your day?" conversations.
My home felt different. More lived-in. More joyful. The smell of fresh cooking replaced the stale air of a space that was just used for work.
My business became more aligned with my values. I wasn't just teaching others about balance and wellbeing – I was living it.
The Mamapreneur Revolution
This transformed approach to business and life changed everything for the better. And now I'm on a mission to help mamapreneurs around the world do the same.
Because this is more than business.
This is more than cooking and recipes.
This is a radical rebellion against:
Tech overwhelm that steals time from what matters
Processed foods that sap our health
The false notion that we mamas have to choose between business growth and presence with our family.
WE CAN HAVE IT ALL!
And I am showing you how.
Take the First Step
You can begin your own rebellion by joining me and other like-minded mamapreneurs who are gathering virtually in our kitchens with our kids.
Recently, we cooked a Jamaican Curry Chicken together – with our children as sous chefs.
It's about more than just a delicious meal. It's about taking the first step toward:
Upping your kitchen game
Taking back your wellbeing
Carving out quality time with your kids
Growing in kitchen confidence
Letting go of kitchen control
All while still building your business – just in a way that actually fits your life, not consumes it.
Your Family's Cooking Together Journey Awaits
Are you ready to transform your kitchen from a place of chores to a center of connection through cooking together?
Ready to claim the hidden benefits of cooking together that go far beyond just getting dinner on the table?
Are you with me?
Join me in The Pantry inside the Tastes Membership, where I'll guide you step by step to transform cooking together into the highlight of your family's day.
Not quite ready to cook with us yet? Get in the right headspace for cooking after work with my free Kitchen Transition Auido.
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