By Georgie Harris, co-founder of Mums Who Build [pictured right]
I always laugh a little when people ask me how I preserve my mental health being a mum and an entrepreneur. Because the truth is, I actually don’t. At least not perfectly. I mostly build around it.
Yes, I’m a co-founder of Mums Who Build (MOB), the professional network that helps women build their businesses, careers, and secure financial futures. But before that, I’m a mum to two boys, one of whom is severely autistic with a rare genetic condition. My life is not low-demand. The juggle is absolutely real. But I choose to build differently because of that.
I’ve built a business that reflects my personal values
Everything we create at MOB is mum-first. It’s completely aligned with my personal values. We offer free pre-and postnatal strength classes. We host hormone talks. We run 12-week online wellness programmes. And perhaps most importantly, we prioritise in-person meetups (like our upcoming one at the flexible workspace community, Tradestars!)
And we do that because I genuinely believe that seeing people in real life is one of the most underrated mental health tools available. Isolation is exhausting! That’s why spaces for entrepreneurs like Tradestars are crucial.
I protect my calendar ruthlessly
…When my first child was born with complex needs, returning to my old job wasn’t realistic. I had to rethink everything.
I only do phone meetings after 10 am, and that one small boundary has changed everything. My mornings are for school runs, grounding, admin, and thinking time, as well as actual work.
Mondays are light on meetings because after a weekend of parenting, I need space to refocus and reset.
These are just two examples of me protecting my time. I make sure to give myself structure, but I also make sure to allow wiggle room within that.
I’m learning my hormones
Finally, in my 39th year, I’ve started to become much more aware of how biology impacts performance. Through the hormone and perimenopause talks we’ve hosted, I’ve learned so much about how energy isn’t static, and mood isn’t random. It’s about understanding your body. I’ve increased my protein intake, and I am trying to eat better. I’m thinking about my sleep and learning to work with my cycle, not against it.
I’m part of a team, not a martyr.
My husband and I are a strong two-unit team. Our eldest son’s needs make anything else completely unrealistic. My husband is a fractional general counsel, and that flexibility has enabled us to build on our terms. He does pickups. He does drop-offs. He’s present at bedtime. We design our lives and our work intentionally.
The same goes for my co-founder. Building with Bex has been transformative. Having someone who shares your values, ambition, and lived experience changes everything. It means building isn’t lonely.
I let the community build me
This has been the biggest surprise of the last three years. The business I’ve built is building me in return. The Georgie of 2023 is very different from the Georgie of 2026, and that’s thanks to Mums Who Build.
I’m more confident. Happier. Stronger. More self-aware.
Build a future that works with your responsibilities, not against them. You never have to choose between ambition and motherhood.
I’ve learned skills I never thought I’d have: hosting workshops, speaking publicly, navigating partnerships and designing communities. Learning through conversation has been one of the greatest gifts MOB has given me.
I’m kind to myself and not delusional
Some days are completely overwhelming, and I question everything. But I’ve stopped labelling those days as a failure. If I need to slow down, I will. If I need support, I’ll ask for it. Delusional ambition without self-kindness is a one-way ticket to burnout.
Being a mum entrepreneur isn’t about achieving a perfect balance. It’s about designing a version of work and life that reflects your reality. Choose to build your life differently. I’ve learned from experience that staying focused as a mum and an entrepreneur doesn’t come about by achieving the perfect balance. It’s about giving yourself grace, making sure to adapt and building systems that work alongside the realities of motherhood.
When my first child was born with complex needs, returning to my old job wasn’t realistic. I had to rethink everything. The truth is, resilience builds when you allow yourself to shift and adapt. You need to slow down when necessary and to pick up speed when life gives you the chance. And above all else, you need to create support systems that actually reflect what your life looks like.
All I can say to the mums out there building something of their own is to remember that entrepreneurship isn’t a straight line for anyone, and especially not for mothers. Your journey may look unconventional, but that’s your power!
Lean on community, ask for help, claim space where you feel understood, and build a future that works with your responsibilities, not against them. You never have to choose between ambition and motherhood.
Georgie Harris is the co-founder of Mums Who Build (MOB), a network to build financial confidence, career prospects, wellbeing and community for professional women who are also mothers.
