When you’re running your own business, maternity leave doesn’t come with a neatly outlined HR policy or a guaranteed paycheck. For moms building small businesses, the question isn’t if you’ll need maternity leave—it’s how to create one that supports both your growing family and your business.
In this episode of the Moms Make Money podcast, I sat down with entrepreneur and visibility strategist Liz Boer to talk about what maternity leave for small businesses really looks like—the planning, the mindset shifts, and the honest behind-the-scenes realities that come with transitioning into motherhood while running a company.
Why Small Business Owners Need a Real Maternity Leave
Too many women in business assume maternity leave won’t be a big deal. You picture yourself working during nap times, catching up on emails after bedtime, and jumping back into client work a few weeks after birth. But as Liz shared, reality looks very different.
Newborns don’t always nap as expected, postpartum recovery is no small thing, and even the most organized, Type-A entrepreneur quickly realizes that rest is non-negotiable. For small business owners, maternity leave isn’t about pressing pause on ambition—it’s about building systems and support so you can step away without your entire business falling apart.
Setting Up Your Business for Maternity Leave
Liz shared how she prepared her agency for a four-month leave by:
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Wrapping up client projects in advance.
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Setting clear expectations with retainer clients.
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Arming her team with systems and processes so they could execute confidently while she was away.
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Offering clients extra coaching calls and bonuses before she stepped back, so they felt cared for during her absence.
I took a different approach with my first leave—I stepped away for three months and let my team handle everything. That full rest helped me return with clarity and energy. This time around, I’m planning a shorter leave, but the holiday season will naturally lighten my workload.
The key takeaway? There’s no one “right” length for maternity leave for small businesses. What matters is preparing in advance and creating a plan that protects your time, your clients, and your income.
The Hard Truths About Coming Back
One of the biggest lessons Liz learned was that maternity leave doesn’t end when the calendar says it does. Transitioning back into work requires resetting priorities, adjusting expectations, and often restructuring your role.
She realized she didn’t want to be the main point of contact for her agency anymore. Instead, she shifted her role to focus on higher-level strategy and let her team handle client communication. That change not only gave her more margin as a mom but also created a stronger, more scalable business.
As moms, we often underestimate our own capacity postpartum. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, the first six months after birth can be draining. That’s why Liz cautions against jumping into new launches or major projects right after maternity leave. Instead, focus on easing back into business and stabilizing before you scale.
Preparing Beyond the Business
Planning maternity leave for small businesses isn’t just about client workflows and automation—it’s about life logistics, too. Liz shared that next time she’ll do more to prepare on the home front:
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Prepping meals and household routines.
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Clarifying who in the family handles what (laundry, groceries, meal prep).
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Making space for her own self-care and mindset work.
These seemingly small details make an enormous difference in how supported and grounded you feel as you step back into business life.
Give Yourself Permission and Grace
Perhaps the most important lesson? Give yourself grace. Every baby, every leave, and every business is different. What worked once may not work the next time.
You don’t need to measure your success by how quickly you “bounce back.” Instead, ask yourself:
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Am I giving myself enough rest?
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Do I have systems in place so my business isn’t fully dependent on me?
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Am I making time, even just five minutes, for myself each day?
Because when you take care of yourself, you’re not just protecting your business—you’re protecting your energy, your family, and your long-term ability to thrive.
Final Thoughts on Maternity Leave for Small Businesses
Taking maternity leave for small businesses isn’t easy, but it is possible. With the right systems, support, and mindset shifts, you can create a plan that allows you to step away, bond with your baby, and return to work without burning out.
If you’re preparing for your own maternity leave, start planning now. Map out your client needs, communicate openly, and don’t be afraid to lean on your team or community. Most of all, remember this: you’re not falling behind by stepping away. You’re building a business that works for your life—and that’s the true definition of success.
Connect with Liz:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizboer_com/
Connect with Us:
Moms Make Money Collective FB Group
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