19 August 2018

Transitioning From High-Flying Corporate Career Woman to Successful Stay at Home Mum

| Nina Gbor
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Photos: Supplied.

Self-employment is a growing phenomenon. The majority of the self-employed people I know are women. What is it that’s making women want to leave the fertile land of employment and plough their own furrow?

For many people it’s the desire for freedom, the chance to fulfil a greater purpose or maximise their potential. It’s the perusal of a better work/life balance, wanting to be more authentic, make their own decisions and being in control of their own destiny. And for some, childbirth is the biggest motivation.

Having her son Levi in 2014 was the motivating factor that inspired Monique Lanham to leave her executive position in a corporate job to become a stay-at-home mum. This was not an easy decision; there was the potential financial burden to consider, as well as the lethargy that might take over the brain once it comes off the corporate high. Monique searched for ways to balance these dilemmas in order to become a stay-at-home mum, so she wouldn’t have to miss any key moments of her son growing up.

When Levi was 6 months old, an opportunity swept across Monique’s kitchen counter that turned her family’s life around. It opened up the opportunity for her to create a successful stay-at -home business. This allowed her to witness precious moments such as seeing her son’s first footsteps and hear his first words.

Monique’s husband, Nathan Lanham, is also a stay-at-home Dad who runs additional businesses from their home base (catering, photography and a farm). Together, they’ve been able to master the art of being stay-at-home parents so effortlessly that their now 4-year-old son thinks it’s normal to have both parents available to him – most of the time, at least.

Monique says, “Going from a corporate background to becoming an entrepreneur is not a quick nor easy task. The key ingredient that helps me keep on track is keeping my son forefront as my why – why am I here and what is important to me? …. A life without alarm clocks is one that many dream of. No matter what path in life you take, there is always going to be hard work, but when you are working to build your own dreams instead of building someone else’s, the rewards are far greater than one can imagine or realise. No matter who you are, be encouraged to take the risks in life so you too can live the life you have always dreamed of.”

There are so many options for creating self-employment and a life that makes you happy. My belief is that it’s best to do something that you’re passionate about which, as Steve Jobs says, will carry you through the rough times in the business. If you’ve been thinking of self-employment or building a life around something you’re passionate about, have a chat with Monique if you need someone to talk to.

Find Monique at www.moniquelanham.dreamtrips.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/monique.lanham.dreamtrips.wv
Instagram:@moniquelanham.dreamtrips

Is there an entrepreneur in you? Have you thought about turning your passions into a business? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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