Being a mom is a full-time job. So is running a business. Doing both at the same time? That’s next-level.
In Ottawa, where winters are long and schedules are packed, it’s easy to feel like everything’s fighting for your attention. You wake up early to pack lunches. You answer emails during naps. You check Google reviews after bedtime stories. It never stops. But it’s worth it because you’re doing it for your family and your future. Still, the hardest part isn’t the work. It’s the distractions. The little things that pile up and steal time from what matters.
Life in Ottawa as a Mom and Business Owner
Balancing Weather, School, and Work
Ottawa’s a great place to raise kids. Safe neighbourhoods, good schools, plenty of parks. But it comes with challenges too.
Snow days mean last-minute childcare. School pickups in minus-20 weather. Long drives between errands and appointments. And don’t forget hockey practice.
If you run your own business, every hour counts. Time spent shovelling the driveway or tracking down receipts is time you don’t get with your kids or your customers.
What Gets in the Way
The Mental Load Is Real
It’s not just work tasks. It’s everything else:
- Meal planning
- Laundry
- Cleaning
- Invoices
- Comments on social media
- Forms from school
- Texts from customers
Even small things add up. You think you’ll get to the marketing project after lunch, then the baby needs a nap, and the dog throws up on the rug.
Focus on What Matters
Family Comes First. Then the Work You Love.
No mom starts a business because she loves admin work. You start it because you want freedom. Flexibility. Time with your kids. Maybe you saw a gap in the market. Maybe you wanted to build something of your own.
That focus should never get buried under spreadsheets and to-do lists.
Online Services That Help
Streamline, Automate, and Outsource
You don’t need to hire a team. You just need to take a few things off your plate.
Here are some tools and services that work:
- Online scheduling apps like Calendly let clients book without the back-and-forth.
- Bookkeeping software like Wave or QuickBooks handles receipts and invoices automatically.
- Grocery delivery from Instacart or Walmart lets you skip the checkout line.
- Virtual assistants from platforms like Fancy Hands or Upwork can handle basic tasks like inbox management or order tracking.
- Reputation management services help respond to online reviews so you don’t have to.
- Social media schedulers like Later or Buffer save hours each week.
Using a few of these won’t just save time. It’ll give you breathing room.
Don’t Let Feedback Drain You
Reviews Are Important, But Not Everything
When you run a business, especially as a solo founder, feedback feels personal. A good review lifts your day. A bad one ruins it.
That’s normal. But don’t let one comment throw off your whole week.
If someone leaves a rude or fake review, there are ways to handle it. You can respond calmly and professionally. You can report violations on platforms like Google, Yelp, or Facebook.
And in some cases, you may need to look into how to delete negative Google reviews. It’s not always easy, but there are steps you can take or services you can hire to protect your reputation.
Just don’t let it take over your time or headspace. Your business is more than one review.
Build Systems That Support You
A Little Structure Goes a Long Way
You don’t need a perfect routine. But a simple system can change your day.
Try this:
- Set blocks of time for focused work.
- Keep a short list of top priorities for the week.
- Automate or outsource one task each month.
- Schedule screen-free time with your kids.
- Protect your evenings whenever possible.
You’re the CEO of Your Life
It’s Okay to Say No
Running a business as a mom means learning to say no. No to extra work you don’t enjoy. No to clients who drain your time. No to the idea that you have to do it all to be successful.
Final Thought
You started your business for a reason, to build something meaningful and to create a better life for your family. Don’t let distractions steal that from you, use tools, ask for help, let go of what doesn’t matter, and never forget you’re doing two of the hardest jobs in the world at the same time…. And you’re doing them well!
