m+work: Three Things No One Tells You About Running a Business Solo and parenting

From hidden burnout to tools that actually help (yes, Notion counts), these are the essentials every solo founder, consultant, or creative should know. Especially if you’re balancing it all with parenting.

1. Burnout Doesn’t Always Look Like Burnout

It’s not always dramatic or obvious. Burnout when you’re running solo often shows up quietly such as missing school emails, second-guessing yourself constantly, or feeling numb even when work is “going well.”

Without a team to mirror your pace, it’s easy to push through exhaustion thinking it’s normal. Build in honest check-ins with yourself or someone you trust. The question isn’t just What am I working on? but How am I really doing?

2. You Can’t Do It All (And You’re Not Meant To)

When you’re the business, the team, and the parent—it’s a lot. Trying to be creative director, finance lead, social media manager and snack provider is a recipe for burnout.

Start small: automate your content schedule, batch your emails, or use a simple tool like Notion to map your week. Delegate something even if it’s just a monthly spreadsheet clean up. Time is your most valuable resource, and it’s worth protecting.

3. Your Community Is Your Co -Founder

No one builds a business alone well…not really. The most successful solo businesses are supported by informal communities: WhatsApp chats, peer groups, voice notes from fellow founders, or local co-working friends.

For mothers especially, community is not a luxury, it is essential. Make it part of the work, not something you get to after the work is done.