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Running a business is one thing. Raising kids is another. Doing both at the same time? That’s an Olympic-level balancing act — and we know we’re not the only ones trying to figure it out. In this unfiltered Sip & Tell conversation, we’re pulling back the curtain on how we juggle work, family, and our own ambitions, all while planning for a future that feels exciting (and a little terrifying, if we’re being honest).

This isn’t your typical business advice article — it’s the real, unfiltered truth from two moms in the trenches. If you’ve ever felt like you’re running a business with a baby on your hip, or wondered if it’s possible to grow a business without sacrificing your family or yourself, this one’s for you.

When Business + Motherhood Collide

There’s no way around it — motherhood changes everything. Your time shrinks, your priorities shift, and the version of success you once dreamed of starts to look a little different. Both of us started our businesses before having kids, and the transition from free-wheeling creative to nap-time hustler was a rough one.

From Nap Time Warrior to CEO

For years, we squeezed client calls, edits, and marketing into those precious few hours while the baby napped. Late nights, early mornings — whatever it took. And while that hustle got us through the early years, it wasn’t sustainable.

Eventually, we realized that if we wanted to grow profitable, sustainable businesses (and not lose ourselves in the process), we had to make serious changes — starting with childcare.

Finding the Right Childcare is Game-Changing

Both of us have now found a childcare setup that works — and it took years to get here. Kelley’s youngest now has a nanny four days a week, and her older kids are in school. Taylor’s youngest is thriving in daycare, and her older kids are settled into school, too.

The Shift from Scarcity to Abundance

The mental shift from “time is scarce” to “I have dedicated work hours” was massive. It’s not just about productivity — it’s about finally feeling like you can breathe, think creatively, and build a business intentionally instead of reactively.

But here’s the truth: Even after getting childcare, it took time to break out of that panic mode. When you’ve been used to scrambling for every second of work time, learning to trust that you have enough time is a whole new skill.

The Pressure to Maximize Every Minute

For the first nine months of full-time childcare, Taylor still felt like she had to cram every second full — as if the other shoe might drop at any moment. It’s hard to shift out of survival mode, but eventually, you realize that burnout isn’t the goal — building a business and life that works for you is.

That shift to balance has been one of the biggest personal wins in both our lives. Now, we can volunteer at school, take a lunch break without guilt, and say yes to field trips — all while running successful businesses.

Building Businesses with Mom Guilt in Tow

No matter how dialed in your childcare or your systems are, mom guilt is always lurking. Whether you’re sneaking away to check emails at the park or saying no to a client call because you promised your kid you’d bake cookies, there’s always that little voice whispering, “You should be doing more.”

You’re Not Alone — And It Gets Easier

We’ve both been through seasons where it felt like we were failing at everything — work, motherhood, marriage, friendships. But what we’ve learned is that you don’t have to do it all perfectly to be a great mom and a successful business owner.

The more grace you can give yourself — and the more you recognize that seasons change — the easier it gets to let go of guilt and embrace what’s possible right now.

From Hustle to Intentional Growth

There’s a certain badge of honor around hustle culture, especially in the wedding industry. We all know that “I’m so busy” is practically a personality trait for photographers and filmmakers. But here’s the thing:

Busyness isn’t a business plan.

At some point, you have to shift from doing all the things all the time to doing the right things at the right time — and trusting that slowing down doesn’t mean losing momentum.

Micro-Shifts That Made a Big Difference

Here are a few of the small but powerful shifts we’ve made that helped us balance motherhood and business:

• Time Blocking Like a CEO – Scheduling work time, family time, and even self-care time so everything has its place.
• Outsourcing – From second shooters to editors to house cleaners — if someone else can do it, they probably should.
• Letting Go of Perfection – Good enough is often better than perfect, especially when perfect costs you sleep and sanity.

Personal Growth = Business Growth

We’re not just business owners — we’re people, too. And something we’ve both realized is that personal growth fuels business growth. The more we work on our own mindset, habits, and boundaries, the more successful our businesses become.

Self-Care Isn’t Selfish

Taylor’s go-to personal luxury? Regular facials. For Kelley, it’s carving out time for herself — even if it’s just sitting alone with a coffee and a notebook after school drop-off. Taking care of yourself isn’t an indulgence — it’s fuel for everything else.

Balancing Work + Play (Even When It Feels Impossible)

As much as we love our businesses, we also love being present moms. That balance looks different for everyone, but for us, it’s about:

• Volunteering at school when we can
• Saying yes to family trips without stressing about falling behind
• Taking days off to just be home and bake cookies (even if they’re from a box)

We call these Trad Wife Days, where we pause the hustle and lean into home life. And guess what? The business doesn’t fall apart. In fact, those breaks often leave us feeling more creative and inspired than before.

The Future: What’s Next for Our Businesses & Our Families

As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, we’re dreaming big — for our businesses and our lives. We’re talking about:

• Hosting in-person retreats to bring our community together IRL
• Expanding our Revenue Multiplier course to help more wedding pros diversify income
• Continuing to balance ambition and motherhood, knowing that both can coexist

Your Dream Life Isn’t Out of Reach

If you’re reading this and wondering if it’s possible to build a thriving creative business and be the present parent you want to be — the answer is yes. It’s not always easy, and the balance isn’t always perfect, but it’s absolutely possible.

Final Thoughts: Build a Business That Supports Your Life (Not the Other Way Around)

The biggest lesson we’ve learned? Your business should support the life you want — not demand that your life revolve around your business.

That’s the heart of everything we teach inside The Level Up Co. — how to build a profitable, sustainable business that allows you to thrive at home, at work, and everywhere in between.

Ready to Build Your Next-Level Business?

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