These days, with working from home being easier than ever, more and more moms are becoming "mompreneurs."
Today's interviewee is Kylie van Gelder. I have known Kylie for about 4 months through Medium, a blogging platform. She is an editor for two publications there, and has helped me to fine tune my writing.
I am in a bi-weekly Women's Circle with Kylie and some other Medium writers, which has been great to get to know a group of supportive women. It has been great to become friends with such an uplifting group.
I did a Q&A With Kylie, and this is what she had to say.
Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your business?
I am a mom of two miracles, wife to a fantastic Dutch husband and a Canadian living in the Netherlands.
I’m also a recovering perfectionist, a work in progress, and a Certified Life Coach.
I have a BSc in Psychology and an MSc in Health and Social Psychology. My experience as a perfectionist, coaching background and degrees, make up the essence of my business.
My focus is on helping women – mainly those in and around forty – realize that it’s never too late to make a change. To understand that when you strive for perfection, you lose what makes you truly happy.
I want to help these women connect to the positive voice in their heads. The one telling them they are more, much more, than what they’re allowing themselves to be. At the same time, I help my clients to notice what their inner critic is saying and how this is negatively impacting their decisions.
How did you decide to start your business?
Above I mentioned my miracles. They joined our family after years of infertility and loss. It was miscarriage number three that helped my perfectionist side recognize she cannot control everything. From here, I discovered life coaching and the amazing shifts I could make after only a few sessions. Having gone through years of therapy, I saw the way coaching could support a person in making progress toward their future self.
I was sold. I hit the recovering perfectionist – no more perfect napkins – road, learned how to toss most of my people-pleasing aside and received my coaching certification.
How old are your kids?
My son, Cayden is 6. My daughter, Ella is 4 or 4.5 as she says.
Are your kids in childcare or at home full time?
They are in school, part-time – 4 days a week – and home for the remaining time.
How do you balance your work with your family?
I work around their school and sleep schedule. As my husband is away between 5-6 days per week, balancing work with my family is challenging. Flexibility and acceptance are key in my house.
What’s been working well for me is allowing things to unfold on their own. At the same time, I take action toward my goals every day.
Any tips for other moms looking to start a business?
Start. Just start. Once you get going, as with anything moms do, you’ll figure it out. It won’t be perfect, then again, we manage imperfect days all the time. Allow yourself to move slowly. Break things up into small chunks and tackle one thing at a time. When you feel overwhelmed, step away to breathe. Then go back to your list and pick one small thing to do. Even the tiniest piece is part of your overall business puzzle.
My favourite sentence when I feel like I can’t juggle things anymore is “I have all the time I need.” It’s helped me complete my website and an online course. Your kids will consume a lot of your time, but not all of it.
Another great thing to help you and your business is a support group. A tribe of other moms setting up a business or who have an established business. Meet with them on a regular basis. Share your story, needs and concerns. Often the solution can be found within the group.
It is amazing to hear the way that Kylie's children have been the inspiration for her business model, and the way that she takes life one step at a time.
In my own life, I know that kids do consume a lot of your time, and they are supposed to! Being able to work for yourself allows you to set your own pace, as Kylie does. I love the idea of slowing down and tackling one thing at a time!
You can also find Kylie online:
Website: www.kylievangelder.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylievangelder/
Medium blog: https://medium.com/@kylievangelder
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions for Kylie, I'm sure she will be happy to answer them!
To read more about Mompreneur life, check out these other blog posts:
Mompreneur Series: Interview with Erica BuchHolz, Career Coach and Yoga Instructor