From Stay-at-home Mom to Business Owner: 5 Honest Tips for Moms Starting Over

From chaos to clarity: How motherhood, three kids, and one visa deadline changed everything. This is my unexpected return to work story.

It’s been a long time since I updated this blog (three years, but who’s counting?). Life with three little girls—my twins Nova and Lyla, and their big sister Adeline—completely swept me off my feet. Between the sleepless nights, constant meal prep, and laundry pile-ups, I was living in survival mode. But also? I feel incredibly grateful to have had the chance to be home with my kids during these early years.

Still, I knew I had to go back to work and wondered: What comes next?

Why I Delayed Going Back to Work

Here’s the truth: returning to work after becoming a stay-at-home mom of three didn’t just feel overwhelming—it felt impossible.

Here’s why:

• Childcare Costs – With three kids under five, full-time childcare was a financial non-starter.

• Immigration Hurdles – As a Canadian in the U.S., I needed a TN visa and a job sponsor to even qualify for any work, unless it was under-the-table. Even with two degrees and 15 years of corporate experience, that wasn’t a simple process and few employers were even considering sponsoring at the time. 

• Mental & Physical Burnout – Raising twins and a toddler meant I was already working a 24/7 job. Adding a second job, combined with mommy-brain (with meetings and deadlines?) and extreme sleep deprivation felt laughable (my twins did not sleep through the night until they were 18-months old).

• Imposter Syndrome – The gap in my résumé made me question whether I was still “qualified” for anything outside of wiping noses and refereeing snack negotiations.

• Commuting and a 9-5 - No thanks! As we know, motherhood changes everything. Covid also changed everything and many peoples priorities as far as what would be acceptable for work-life balance. In my 15-year career, I had worked 18-hour days and even slept at the office a few times. I was done with all that and I felt like I had paid my dues. I wanted flexibility to be a mom.

• Family Priorities – Most of all, I wanted to be there. For the milestones, the cuddles, the chaos since I also knew I was not having any more babies (the factory is closed). A 40+ hour office job just didn’t fit that vision.

  
  

Even when the fog of early motherhood started to lift (thank you, sleep training), I still wasn’t sure how to re-enter the workforce. And with my visa restrictions, I couldn’t just take any job. Not even as a Starbucks barista or an Uber driver.

The Wake-Up Call

Then came the plot twist: my husband lost his job and immigration sponsorship.

Suddenly, our stay in the U.S. was in jeopardy. We had just 60 days to figure out how to legally stay—or pack up and move our family back to Canada. The stress was unreal. To say the decision was difficult, would be the most colossal understatement. We had made a life in Alpharetta. We set down roots. Canada was home too, but my sisters (who are my soulmates) are in Georgia. The pros and cons list was long.

We met with immigration lawyers, ran the numbers, and stumbled upon a solution we never expected: the E2 Treaty Investor Visa. It would allow us to stay in the U.S.—but only if we started a business.

Once I realized I had no choice but to go back to work, I had two options: resist it or reframe it. I chose the latter—and these five mindset shifts helped me make the transition from stay-at-home mom to business owner:

Tips for Moms Starting a Business and Returning to Work

1. Find your higher-purpose motivation. I had to flip the script in my mind. Yes, I was staring a new career after motherhood —but I wasn’t just clocking in somewhere. I was building something of my own. I was going to be a business owner. I was going to create impact in my community and set a powerful example for my girls. I wanted them to see their mom hustling, dreaming big, and making it happen. I wanted to feel independent again—emotionally, financially, professionally.

2. Solidify a childcare plan. This is not the time to “wing it.” I got really clear on what support we’d need and who we could call in. I reached out to my 19-year-old nephew to babysit, invested in part-time help, and made sure my husband and I were completely aligned on the schedule. We shared a calendar, communicated constantly, and made sure the parenting baton was being passed intentionally. I couldn’t do this alone—and I didn’t want to.

3. Relinquish control. This one hurt. 😅 I had to accept that I wouldn’t be able to do all the things I used to do at home. My husband would be putting the kids to bed without me some nights (cue the tears). The home-cooked meals I took pride in became more like frozen waffles and boxed mac & cheese. I had to let go of my “do it all” mentality and trust that done was better than perfect.

4. Accept that the transition might be rocky. I braced myself for the emotional rollercoaster. The kids got clingier. I cried more than once. The house got messier. But I reminded myself: this was temporary. We were building a new rhythm. And eventually, this chaos would settle into something beautiful and sustainable.

5. Know you can do it. We, as women, are wildly resilient. We grew humans. We keep tiny people alive every day. That alone makes us superheroes. So yes, the idea of returning to work—or starting something brand new—felt overwhelming. But I kept telling myself: If I can survive twin newborns and toddler tantrums, I can build a business. And you can, too.

Now one small problem was left: I had no idea what business to start.

In Part 2 of this story, I’ll share how we went from overwhelmed to all-in—and how I became the owner of a a British Swim School franchise with a mission I believe in deeply.

Spoiler: it obviously has changed everything!