A stay-at-home mom is worth $117,000/ year!

I was inspired by something I recently read:

“A typical stay-at-home mom works 94.4 hours per week at their jobs. If she were paid for her efforts, she would earn $117,000 per year.”

—this bit of information comes from John Medina, the author of Brain Rules for Baby.

A woman can often feel left behind and forgotten. Maybe this happens because it is easy to lose yourself and who you truly are behind all the laundry, dirty diapers, cleaning, cooking, driving, planning birthday parties and family gatherings. Moms are often left feeling unattractive, unimportant and as though they are sacrificing their own dreams and goals for the benefit of their families.

However, what if I told you have huuuuuge untapped potential for making Big Money  for your family. You can do that by becoming a business owner. From working with many athletes, I realize that frequently it’s the moms who are the driving force behind everything. And today I wanted to take a few minutes to empower other moms!

Why a stay-at-home mom can easily become an entrepreneur.

1. You are a planner. Let’s be honest you have it planned out from when and what your kids will eat to how you will get everyone to soccer/baseball/karate/dance. Your ability to think ahead and anticipate hiccups is invaluable in business.
2. You are super-duper organized. Even though everyday probably feels like chaos to you, but in reality in order to even begin to juggle everything that you do it has to be organized.
3. You are a caretaker. You often place the priorities of others well above your own. When it comes to business it becomes your other baby that you nurture and help grow. You have to give a lot before you can take back and you are already a pro at it!
4. You are a leader. My grandmother always used to say: “your grandpa might be the head of the family but I am the neck that the head turns on.” It’s a little messed up (like what happened to two equal parts in a relationship) but there is something to it. We all know who the real boss is!

And a few more reasons for moms:

7. Minimal risk. Think about it, you and your family are already used to living off of whatever income your spouse is bringing in. So go for it like you have nothing to lose, because you don’t!
8. Who else researches everything… from the ingredients on the label, to the best price, to who owns and manufactures the product? Moms. If they don’t know something they will ask any and every person. Where is the best school? Who is the best classroom teacher? What is the best formula? What’s the best car seat brand? Because women are very social they will call on all of their resources in search of answers. They won’t stop until they find them.
9. Think tank. Yes, that head of yours is a think tank. Being surrounded by kids and dogs all day is awesome yet the only adult conversation is in your own head. Making it a great time to think of something amazing and then bring it to life with all the incredible skills that you have from above.

So, why on earth aren’t more women going for it?

They care for their families with full on passion and relentlessness, why can’t they do the same for their own dreams and inspirations? Maybe it’s confidence? Maybe they need someone to tell them that they are worth it and some more. Their “house work” is already making or saving their family hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Maybe, it’s worrying about who is going to take care of those responsibilities if you aren’t doing it. Maybe, it’s the endless what ifs and not having it all exactly laid out for you?

Here is my thought for the day: what’s the point of living if you already know exactly what will happen 5, 10, 20 years from now?

This is my call all those tangled locks, ponytail hair, yoga pant wearing everyday beauties: open up that flower shop or coffee shop or teach yoga classes or just freaking take over the world already!

Pinky: Gee, Brain, what do you want to do tonight?

Brain: The same thing we do every night, Pinky—try to take over the world!

Just like you’ve been dreaming of. Lead by example. For your kids. Be the role model they need, to have successful jobs, relationships and to pursue THEIR dreams. Chasing mine has been incredible so far.