As moms, we start our businesses for freedom and flexibility. But somewhere along the way—between the nap-time hustles, the client deadlines, and the never-ending to-do lists—we can forget why we started in the first place.
In this episode of the Moms Make Money podcast, I sat down with Michelle Pontvert, a life-first business strategist and educator, to talk about how we can intentionally design businesses that support our lives, not the other way around. Michelle is also the co-host of Marketing Like a Mother, co-owner of the Like a Mother Movement, and the creator of the Business Chic Shop. Oh, and she’s also a mom raising a high-needs child while juggling multiple businesses.
This conversation was exactly what I needed as I prepare for baby #2 and the return to the unpredictable chaos of working from home with a newborn. Michelle reminded me (and now I’m reminding you): our businesses should fit around our lives, not consume them.
The Beauty of Building a Business With a Partner
Michelle and I bonded over being multi-passionate entrepreneurs with joint ventures. She runs her solo business while also co-owning the Like a Mother Movement with her business bestie Olivia.
Here’s what I loved from her perspective:
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Having a business partner means you can pick your group project partner—and actually choose someone whose skills complement yours.
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Splitting roles based on energy and strengths (Michelle handles tech and design, Olivia manages copy and customer service) keeps things sustainable.
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Business is more fun when you don’t have to do it all alone.
If you’re a multi-passionate entrepreneur, a partnership might be the key to turning those shiny new ideas into reality without burning out.
Elastic Planning: Running a Life-First Business
When I asked Michelle what her weekly schedule looks like, she laughed and admitted it changes constantly. With a child who has extra therapies and unpredictable needs, planning in the traditional sense doesn’t work for her.
Instead, she created a method she calls Elastic Planning—a way of holding space for projects while leaving room for flexibility.
Here are some of her strategies you can borrow:
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Use tools like the Eisenhower Matrix to separate the urgent from the important.
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Start with the fun tasks first to build momentum (“dessert before dinner” as she calls it).
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Allow creativity to flow even when you’re not at your desk—brainstorming and ideating still move your business forward.
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Accept that some weeks you’ll have 20 hours to work, and others you’ll only have two.
As moms, our schedules aren’t always ours to control. Elastic planning reminds us that progress still counts, even if it doesn’t look “consistent” on paper.
When Life Forces You to Pivot
Michelle shared candidly about hitting burnout in client services. Instead of phasing out slowly, she burned it down and rebuilt her business around digital products and affiliate marketing.
It wasn’t the “safe” way, and yes, her income dipped for a while. But eventually, it led to:
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More happiness and less stress.
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Offers that worked with her brain and lifestyle.
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A business that was sustainable long-term.
Her story is a powerful reminder that you’re allowed to pivot fast if slow isn’t working.
Flexibility During Sick Days and Seasons of Chaos
If you’ve ever had a toddler in daycare, you know the drill: constant colds, surprise fevers, and endless rescheduling. Michelle has lived through months of sickness where she and her son were alternating being sick for weeks on end.
Her advice for handling it:
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Lower your capacity expectations. Don’t sign yourself up for rigid deadlines during seasons you know will be unpredictable.
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Communicate upfront. Let clients, collaborators, or podcast guests know you’re a parent and flexibility might be needed.
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Add caveats to contracts. Build in clauses for rescheduling or unexpected delays.
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Show gratitude. When clients are flexible, acknowledge it and even surprise them with a little bonus or add-on.
The key? Stop pretending life won’t interfere with business. Plan for it instead.
Boundaries, Burnout, and Putting Yourself Back on the List
Michelle and I both confessed that as moms, we often put ourselves last—behind kids, clients, and even our husbands. But when we do that, burnout is inevitable.
Some takeaways from this part of the conversation:
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Boundaries are only respected if you communicate them clearly (and more than once).
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Contracts are essential—don’t DIY them and hope for the best.
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Self-care doesn’t have to mean bubble baths; sometimes it’s just white space and quiet.
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You can’t be a present, patient mom if your own cup is empty.
This hit home for me because I realized I’d let a lot of my boundaries slip since my son started school. With a newborn on the way, I need to scale back and protect my energy again.
Michelle’s #1 Tip for Moms Starting a Business
When I asked Michelle for her best advice for moms ready to dive into entrepreneurship, her answer was simple but profound:
👉 Start with YOU.
Before you choose a business model, service, or offer, ask yourself:
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What do I want my days to look like?
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What kind of work actually excites me?
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How much time and energy do I realistically have?
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What systems and structures suit my brain and my life?
Too often, we build businesses that look good on Instagram but don’t actually work for our lives. Michelle challenges us to flip that script—build the business that works for you first, then layer in the strategy.
Final Thoughts
Talking with Michelle was a powerful reminder that building a business as a mom doesn’t have to mean hustle, burnout, and guilt. It can mean flexibility, joy, and fulfillment—if we intentionally design it that way.
As I prepare for my own season of transition into newborn life again, I’m taking Michelle’s advice to heart: life comes first, business second. And when I lead with that, both my family and my business thrive.
Connect with Michelle:
Instagram
Marketing Like a Mother Podcast
Connect with Us:
Moms Make Money Collective FB Group
Related Episodes and Blog Posts:
How I Run a Thriving Business with a 20 Hour Workweek
The Summer Strategy That Keeps My Business Running
