Question: What is the best part about being a parent AND an entrepreneur?
Learning How to Prioritize
"Becoming a parent put my entire career into perspective. If I was going to go to work and put my daughter into the care of someone else, I wasn't going to waste time taking on projects that I didn't really like or weren't really focused on moving me forward, both in business and in my personal life. Whether it's outsourcing small tasks or just referring projects I don't want, I'm better at saying no. "
@AllieO
Having Flexibility
"Having the flexibility to spend important moments with your kids is the best part. Whether it is a doctor's appointment or a school play, I can plan my schedule around them to make sure I'm there."
@thomascullen
Reduced Stress
"As the ecstatic father of a one-month-old baby girl, this tidbit is a bit counterintuitive. While another mouth to feed can be added pressure, my daughter reminds me that there is more to life than the office. She motivates me to succeed in my business and and reminds me to love the journey along the way. It's the yin to my yang. "
@FreeEbooksNet
Cross-Referencing Leadership Skills
"I've founded multiple companies and employed over 30 employees in the past five years. I'd like to think I learned a thing or two when it comes to motivating the team and maintaining the hustle. That's certainly the type of stuff I'd pass on to my newborn. On the flip side, as a new father, I've learned a lot about patience and mental balance, which is the stuff I've brought to work from home."
@reubenyonatan
Watching Them Grow Together
"My son Lucas is as old as my company, and it's fun to see the parallels in their growth. When he started walking, we launched the first version of Rabbit. Lots of stumbling! As he started talking, we solved a major internal communication issue. And now he's starting school, and Rabbit is moving into new, exciting areas. Like raising a child, it takes love and energy to help your startup thrive."
@pclavel
Continually Learning and Improving
"The enriching experiences I've had as an entrepreneur as well as a father have many things in common, one of them being the amount you are continually learning. All the books you could read simply cannot fully prepare you for every moment and decision as a parent, nor as an entrepreneur. I'm constantly learning how to improve and how both parts apply to each other."
@davidtomas
Having a Sense of Purpose
"I've always worked with a sense of urgency and passion, but being a parent brings a different level of drive to long hours and the craziness of your own business. Having my little boy say, "Dad, I need to wear my Orange Mud today," is an amazing feeling that constantly keeps my passion alive. "
@itsjoshsprague
Inspiring Your Children
"At six years old, my daughter has told me she wants to be an entrepreneur. And she isn’t kidding. She’s having me create a website for her “fashions.” Her sewing teacher says she is so concentrated in class."
@keylimeinteract
Being Reminded to Not Take Myself Too Seriously
"Being a successful parent or entrepreneur requires an ability to compromise, good people skills and an ability to work seriously without taking yourself too seriously. The best part about being both for me is the way that I can apply what I learn in one area to improve in the other."
@ironSourceGroup
Setting a Strong Example
"Part of being a parent is being a role model, and I take that seriously as both a mother and an entrepreneur. Especially because my company, EarlyShares, operates at the intersection of three largely male-dominated industries (tech, real estate and private finance), exposing my three daughters to the business has shown them that there are no limits to where they can work or what they can achieve."
@earlysharesCSO
