The Delicate Balance of a Three Job Mom: Start Small, Start Today
13. Jan, 2012 
9 Comments
The Delicate Balance of a Three Job Mom: Start Small, Start Today
This is for anyone who has an idea, a passion and a desire to do something that scares them. My advice? Start small, start somewhere, start today.
I teach middle school math. When my students get stuck on a math problem. I encourage them to start small. We tackle a problem that is similar but that we know how to do and we transfer that knowledge to the bigger problem. We break a math equation into parts, and we accomplish those parts step by step. Starting small transfers to both parenting and owning a small business.
Having young children, I don’t get things done at the warp speed I once did. Often, a trip to the post office and grocery store feels like a marathon. To adjust, I’ve learned to start small and keep expectations reasonable. We prioritize what needs to be done and break it into small steps. Packing and shipping orders along with printing always move to the top of the list, cleaning the house is often the last task accomplished.
With a new business, it can be overwhelming, all of the ‘to dos’ that need to be accomplished. Sometimes it’s the getting started itself that’s tough. I try to force myself to just start somewhere when I feel overwhelmed. It doesn’t matter if you’re launching a new brand, starting a new product line, or just jumping into a new hobby. Starting small is often a good strategy. When you start small you are able to try out new things with less risk. Starting small gives you the freedom to play with new ideas. Often my newest ideas start out as that year’s Christmas gift, for example this year is the year the tea towels and napkins which is something that you’re going to see from elSage in the 2012 line.
My initial jump in with elSage was after the Christmas of 2009, there was such a response to the gifts I was giving that I knew it was a good starting point. Many of those same designs are still in my collection today.
There’s a time to jump in and there’s a time to start small but often the answer is right in front you. Having several jobs and being needed in so many different areas makes it hard to see exactly what has to happen next, but by starting small I get the opportunity to try something out and see if it works. If you’re feeling paralyzed by a new endeavor or within an existing one, take today to start small and start somewhere.
Phoebe CarpenterEells is the founder and one woman show behind elSage Designs. She is also a middle school teacher and a mama to two boys. She lives in the Skagit Valley in Washington State with her amazing husband, kids and their dog. She thinks that balance is relative and that life is for living. She urges you to jump in and enjoy. You can find Phoebe on etsy, her blog, twitter and facebook (as well as library story time and the local middle school).
Mixedtape Print Tea Towel, hand printed, red ink
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Thanks for this post. I think really helps to hear that it’s ok to start small. I’ve been feeling paralyzed by the “there’s-so-much-to-do-and-I-must-do-it-all-at-once!!” feeling.
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Laura, I totally feel ya there! It’s hard to get going sometimes with a ‘to do’ list a mile long. I find that once I do it snowballs and I’m able to get more done than just the task I started with.
I usually start with something I enjoy too (just to put me in a happy spot)
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GREAT ADVICE! Especially with a clothing line it is easy to get carried away.. between wanting to offer every size and color and then having ‘suggestions’ from everyone around you, you need to just keep it manageable so you have the energy to proceed and have control. Kudos and great line Phoebe! Just darling
Continued success to you 
Now… going to pin some items for ya 
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I am So there, lol. It is always day to day, whether I can balance my to-do list & my life. I know it can be done! thanks for sharing your story and best of luck to you!
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This is SOOOO my story! No more small kids, but I help hubby run his construction biz (office mgr) and also trying to run my two small ventures – design and sell my handmade jewelry, and also I sell vintage, which started as a way to downsize, and quickly ran amok! Trying now to touch on all three daily, even if just a small task – it’s making me feel more balanced and not like any one is getting left in the dust. Baby steps – right foot, left foot… I’ve shared your article on facebook!
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Thanks, Phoebe, for the great advice. I’m still really just starting out, even though I’m a year and a half into my shop. The hardest thing was the starting-just “jumping in”. Now, not really a newbie anymore, but feeling discouraged, not sure what the next step should be… Starting small is a great reminder. Just take a small step, then another…
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You rock, Phoebe. You make it sound so easy! Thank you for the emphasis on ‘small’. That is achievable, doable.
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