You know that moment when you’re trying to feed your baby, eat your breakfast, AND lead a team meeting?
That was me this morning.
Sleep-deprived, multitasking like never before, and somehow making it all work. If you’d told me a few years ago this would be my life, I wouldn’t have believed you.
But here I am, and let me tell you how this all happened.
The Working Mom Dilemma
It started when my first baby was six months old. Like every new mom, I was caught in that heart-wrenching space between wanting to be there for every moment of my child’s life and needing to maintain my financial independence. I approached my company about working from home – it was doable for my role. Their response? “How about an unpaid sabbatical instead?”
Sure, I was grateful for the offer, but come on! I’d given years to this company, and all they could offer was unpaid leave. That’s when I first started thinking about how companies need to do better at keeping talented people, especially parents, in the workforce.
Then Came COVID (And a Plot Twist)
Just as I was about to quit, COVID-19 hit. Suddenly, everyone was working from home! The same arrangement that was “impossible” before became the new normal overnight. But here’s the thing – by then, I’d already started dreaming bigger. Why work from home for someone else when I could build something of my own?
My ESG Adventure
Life had other plans though. When I briefly returned to work, my manager handed me a completely new challenge – building an ESG framework from scratch. Challenge accepted! I dove headfirst into learning everything about ESG, trained my team, and guess what? We nailed our first project! It felt amazing to create something new, something sustainable.
The Universe Had Different Plans
Just when everything was falling into place – flexible work, great projects, awesome team – I learned my mentor and immediate team members were planning to leave. Talk about a curveball! With a two-year-old at home, the thought of adapting to a whole new team dynamic felt overwhelming. That’s when I knew – it was time to take the leap.
Jumping Into Entrepreneurship (With a Surprise!)
Starting my own ESG consulting company was exciting enough. Then life threw in another plot twist – I found out I was pregnant with my second child! There I was, with two employees counting on me, morning sickness, and a fledgling business. Did I mention my employees were young married architects from tier-two cities? Their remote jobs meant everything to them. Backing out wasn’t an option.
Creating Our Own Success Story
You know what? It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. We started conducting ESG workshops, I got to inspire architecture students about sustainable careers and even returned to my alma mater as a speaker. Every small win felt huge because we were building something meaningful together.
The Real MVP – My Support System
Let’s be real – none of this would be possible without my support system. My family has been incredible, but the real MVP? My better half. When your spouse shares the load and believes in your dreams, it changes everything. Trust me, having a partner who gets it makes all the difference in this crazy juggling act of career and family.
Reflections for Change
Looking beyond my journey, there are several critical changes we need in our professional world:
Corporate Infrastructure & Policies
The way we support new mothers in the workplace needs a complete overhaul. It’s not just about maternity leave – we need proper infrastructure for nursing mothers, flexible work arrangements that don’t penalize career growth, and policies that recognize the dual responsibilities of parenting and professional life. My experience of being offered unpaid leave instead of flexible work arrangements shows how far we still need to go.
Redefining Professional Success
We need to move past the outdated notion that physical presence equals productivity. My journey proved that professionals can deliver exceptional results while working remotely with the right support and trust. Success should be measured by impact and outcomes, not hours spent in an office.
Mental Health Support
The transition back to work for new mothers is not just a logistical challenge – it’s an emotional one. Companies need to provide better mental health support and counseling services to help women navigate this significant life change while maintaining their professional identity.
Training and Development
When I upskilled myself in ESG, it opened new doors. Companies should invest in continuous learning opportunities that allow women to grow professionally while managing family responsibilities. This could include flexible training schedules, online learning options, and mentorship programs.
Leadership Recognition
We need more recognition of diverse leadership styles. My experience of managing a team while being a mother taught me different approaches to leadership – ones that emphasize empathy, flexibility, and long-term sustainability. These perspectives are valuable in the modern workplace.
Creating Support Networks
Organizations should facilitate networks and mentorship programs specifically for working mothers. Someone who has navigated similar challenges can make a huge difference in retaining talented professionals during major life transitions.
Economic Sustainability
The cost of losing experienced professionals due to inflexible work policies is enormous. Companies need to recognize that investing in supportive infrastructure and policies for working parents is not just a social good – it’s economically sustainable.
Still Writing My Story
Is running a company easy? Nope. Is it profitable yet? I’m working on it! But here’s what I know – I’m creating something that matters. It’s not just about ESG consulting; it’s about showing other women that they don’t have to choose between career and family. It’s about building a workplace that works for people’s lives.
I’m still figuring things out, still growing, still learning. But isn’t that what sustainability is all about? Creating something that can grow and adapt while staying true to its purpose? That’s what I’m building – not just a business, but a testament to what’s possible when we rethink how work can work for everyone.
And hey, if my story helps even one other person believe in their dreams or push for change in their workplace, then all these sleepless nights and crazy mornings are worth it. Because at the end of the day, this journey isn’t just about me – it’s about creating ripples of change that can help others write their own success stories.
