A Peek into the REAL Life of a Successful Business Owner/Manufacturer and SAHM

So many of my friends often ask me, "How do you do it?  Run a successful business, take care of your two girls, take them to all their activities, maintain the household, cook dinner??"  Well...I'm going to let you in on a little secret.....it isn't as perfect as one would want you to think!  While my kids and family have always maintained number one status in my life, my business has now taken over second place.  As the business has grown and become more successful, my household has taken a backseat.

It is literally impossible to maintain it all.  Get the girls to gymnastics, dance, swim, do homework, send out daily confirmation emails, get orders out on time, order supplies, maintain accurate accounting records, keep up with the marketing needs of the business and get the food shopping done so dinner can be on the table on time.

I just walked through my house and thought I would capture its current state for you.  Ready for the tour?   Be prepared, it's not pretty!

My sewing machine stacked with today's work....

The chair in my studio, stacked with tomorrow's work....

 

The bag of excess batting that I can't bear to discard, but can't find the time to actually DO anything with!

 The basket of pre-washed fabrics which needs to be gone through because some of this fabric I don't even offer any longer!

The stack of pre-cut covers that is waiting patiently to be sewn....and has been waiting for quite some time now....

 

The pile of my girls' summer clothing which made it out of the attic, and through the laundry, but has yet to be folded and put away because I haven't had the time to put away the winter clothes....

The bin of my summer clothes which shares the same status as my kids' summer clothes....

And, the large cup of iced beverage that allows me to wake at 5am every morning to attempt getting all of this stuff done.

So there it is.....this is reality. 

I often walk into my friend's homes and are truly envious of their clean, neat, all perfectly-in-order homes.  I usually walk out of their homes beating myself up because my home just doesn't come close, but then I force myself to remember that I too could have that...if I chose to give up the one thing that will allow me to stay at home with my kids for as long as I choose to. 

The thing that provides the extra income which lets my kids take their swimming, dance and gymnastics lesson....and the thing which lets me take the time whenever I need (without having to ask permission) to attend these activities with my kids.  And the thing that allows me the creative outlet I need to make myself happy!

So, messy house, I embrace you and all your disorder.