How Motherhood Got Me Into A Web Design Career

When my son was born 13 years ago, I never imagined that motherhood would lead me to open my own web design business.

I must confess I was a very naïve new mum. I thought my firstborn would stay little forever, and that life would always be rainbows and cupcakes. I miss that joyful bubble, untouched by the many challenges that come with motherhood.

Then my daughter was born, and reality hit. Two children to care for, constant sleep deprivation, and an overwhelming sense of loneliness took over. It sounds like a cliché, but the days felt endlessly long while the years flew by.

Somewhere in the middle of it all, I lost myself to the demands of motherhood. I let go of who I used to be and struggled to feel comfortable in this new identity. Something was missing.

It took years before I stopped running on autopilot and truly reflected on how much motherhood had changed me. Only when I embraced both the chaos and joy did I realise how much I had grown.

I began thinking deeply about my passions, skills, and the sparks that used to excite me. I knew I wanted to do meaningful work that allowed me the flexibility to be there for my family while still building a career.

That’s how my journey into entrepreneurship, web design, and digital marketing began.

I didn’t jump in overnight. It started with small steps. I upskilled in my own time, learning new tools while the kids were at school. Each small win built my confidence. Every challenge taught me more about resilience, adaptability, and patience, skills every mum knows well.

 

What Motherhood Taught Me About Business and Web Design

We’re all mums here, so you know what I mean. When a child is born, everything shifts. Priorities, challenges, and experiences change you. But these experiences also teach you powerful lessons that can translate directly into business.

Know Your Priorities, But Be Flexible

My kids and family will always be the most important part of my life. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want more for myself.

After becoming a mum, I reframed my priorities. I knew I didn’t want to return to the 9-to-5. I wanted to be present in their early years as much as possible. So, I needed to find something that matched the life I envisioned. I wanted to be a work-from-home-mum, but with intention.

While I had my priorities set, life with children rarely sticks to a plan. I had to shift my priorities many times, and that’s perfectly fine.

Business is no different. That perfect website design that the client wants to completely change, or that dream project that turns out to be far more complicated than expected, all require flexibility. You’re not failing by changing your mind; you’re adapting and growing. Life and business are always evolving.

Over the years, I learned to let go of rigid plans and expectations. Instead, I focused on creating processes that allowed for change, whether that meant adjusting timelines, redefining goals, or shifting strategies to better meet a client’s evolving needs.

You Learn the Real Meaning of Negotiation

First, it’s stubborn toddlers who insist on drinking water only from the red cup. In a flash, it’s teenagers debating why they can’t have TikTok or a mobile. Add to that the teachers, coaches, friends, and family you deal with every day.

Motherhood builds negotiation skills you didn’t even know you had. You negotiate every single day. In business, it’s the same. You need to manage expectations, navigate difficult conversations, and explain why that colour palette doesn’t match your client’s brand. It’s about empathy and clear, proactive communication.

Being a mum teaches you how to negotiate with care and purpose, a superpower in any business.

I also learned that negotiation isn’t always about compromise. Sometimes, it’s about standing firm in your values and protecting your time and boundaries. That’s a lesson motherhood teaches you very quickly.

Creativity and Communication

Motherhood enhanced my creativity and communication skills.

I’ve always been a creative person, but stepping into my children’s world gave me new clarity and imagination. Bedtime storytelling helped me craft unique content for clients. Painting with my kids helped me visualise colour and harmony for web layouts. All those magical moments with them taught me to bring something new to life, a business, a brand, a website.

As for communication, it’s a constant work-in-progress. I try to express my thoughts clearly and with intention, whether with my kids or my clients. Communication and creativity together became the foundation of my web design career.

Even things like explaining a website structure to a client who doesn’t speak tech became easier when I approached it the way I explain things to my kids: simple, honest, and with plenty of visuals!

Time Management and Focus

If there’s one thing motherhood forces you to master, it’s time management. Gone were the long, uninterrupted hours. I had to make the most of every pocket of time.

Working in “mum hours” taught me how to prioritise, stay focused, and cut the fluff. I learned to plan, batch tasks, and create realistic schedules, all skills that translated directly into how I manage projects and clients today.

This level of discipline helped me avoid burnout and stay productive, even when juggling work and home life.

 

So, What Does Motherhood Have to Do with Web Design?

In my experience, everything.

Motherhood taught me joy, resilience, perseverance, focus, patience, empathy, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and creative thinking. These are all traits of a successful entrepreneur. I chose to co-found a digital agency because it allows me to combine these qualities with my professional skills.

In our agency, I rely on perseverance and focus to keep going through tough days. Joy and creativity drive my love for web design and the meaningful work it brings. And every client relationship is built on empathy, understanding, and problem-solving.

I had (and still have) support launching and managing our digital marketing agency, but the lessons I learned from motherhood guide how I run our business every single day.

Running a business from home gives me the flexibility I always dreamed of. I have time for school presentations, home-cooked meals, after-school chats, and spontaneous hugs (sometimes chased down).

Of course, it’s not always easy. Striving to be the best website agency for small businesses takes hard work and dedication. But it’s the life I dreamed of. I may work within “mum hours,” but those hours are intentional and productive, allowing me to build a life and business on my own terms.

 

Mums, You’ve Got What It Takes to Build Your Dream Business

If you ever doubt that you have what it takes to build your own digital business, think again.

The resilience, creativity, adaptability, and fierce love you show as a mum are the very skills that can make you a powerful business owner.

Motherhood has a way of breaking you down and building you back up stronger than before. That transformation helped me create a fulfilling, flexible, and thriving web design business.

You already have what it takes. You just need to believe it.

When you’re ready to take the next step, remember you don’t have to do it alone. Start small, keep learning, and surround yourself with support.

Every step you take builds momentum. Whether it’s designing your first website, landing your first client, or simply showing up for yourself each day, progress counts.

The skills you’ve already developed through motherhood are powerful tools. Use them. Trust them. And let them guide you toward building a business that fits your life, not the other way around.