Why I shut down my business after 4 months of launching
Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate linksPicture this:
A bright-eyed newly established online business owner ready to expand her web design business across the island chain and the world.
She’d read all the blogs and listened to all the podcasts on growing a sustainable online business. She’d taken courses to enhance her web design, business, and copywriting skills and techniques.
She’d met online with clients near and far, providing consultation and booking projects.
She’d set up and tested out her Dubsado (affiliate link) workflows and had promotional events and offers planned for the year..
..and all of a sudden, she could not get out of bed.
Extreme nausea and fatigue had set in. Could it be burn out already?
This is what happened and what I’d thought to myself just four months after launching my online web design business!
Here’s why I had to shut down my web design business temporarily:
I found out I was SEVEN WEEKS PREGNANT!
And listen, it was not an enjoyable first trimester. I could barely eat and was nauseated all the time that I literally could not get out of bed.
Fortunately, however, as I progressed through my second trimester, life started feeling good again and I was able to return to work.
What’s the plan now?
Before giving birth (and before getting super preg), I have the following goals:
Finish up client projects that were put on hold when I got sick.
Open up client spots with end-of-the-year website promos for professionals who want to get a website up quickly.
Take care of my finances: follow up on student loans, unsubscribe to services I’m no longer using, and follow up on any bills that may have been neglected.
Nest! We have a lot of work ahead of us to prepare a home for our baby girl and my sanity.
Write, write, and write. After months of focusing on feeling better, I want to get all my thoughts out of my head and create content.
I plan on going on another leave after giving birth, and taking my time coming back to business since I have no idea what to expect and no idea how soon I will recover mentally and physically after childbirth.
What I anticipate as a new mother AND business owner:
Only working part-time. From what I can gather, motherhood is hard work! Aside from keeping a child alive and my sanity intact, I’ll be taking care of our new home (cleaning, laundry, SOME cooking), which leaves just enough time for some rest and some work.
Spending more time with family. One piece of advice that I’m keeping with me is TAKE THE HELP! Having family over as much as possible will help with the baby and help keep spirits positive and happy- key ingredients for postpartum recovery (actually, any kind of recovery). I plan to prioritize this over getting back to business.
What I envision a year from now:
My daughter will be 9 months old a year from now. I think she’d be a lot easier to take care of than a newborn which means I’d feel less guilty about a babysitter. And by “babysitter,” I mean my dad- he’ll be retired by then anyway!
Our new home will have an extra room that I plan to turn into a home office and I’m SO excited about this. I’m so used to living in small spaces where my dining room, which is also my kitchen and living room, is also my office.
So, it brings joy to think I can “go to the office” and shut the door while my dad is on the other side with his granddaughter. I won’t be far if he needs a break or if I start missing my baby.
However, I still don’t think that I’ll be working full time at this point. But I do anticipate working maybe 20 hours..a week? It all depends on what else is on my plate at that time!
How I feel about all this:
Listen, I’m no spring chicken.
Having my first child at this time of my life is unexpected (aka not planned) but also such a blessing! I had always wanted to raise a family. I feel really grateful for this gift.
Business-wise: I started my business for creative flexibility. Now, I also feel grateful that I have the freedom to be flexible with my time.
What future clients can expect:
Great promos
Efficient processes
Quick turnarounds
What I expect from myself:
Great content!
It may just be wishful thinking, but I'm hoping that this new season of life will continue to inspire me, get the wheels in my brain turning, and I’ll write so much!
(I’m totally picturing seasoned mothers out there reading this thinking “aw that’s cute-but no.”)
One can dream!
Comment below with your best parenting advice. Or, just say a prayer for me :/
Have you ever thought about hiring a web designer? Read this first.
If you are ready to hire a web designer, let me know!
Are you an expert in your field but not at marketing yourself online? You might enjoy this.
Wondering how to market your next event? This might help.
Want to get inspired? Read about my journey.
Want a solution to your systems madness? Check out Dubsado (using this affiliate link will get you 20% off your first month or year!).