Challenges of Merging Startup Ambitions with Motherhood

Building a new business venture demands significant time and effort, a fact well-known to two-time entrepreneur Amy Shack Egan.

In 2015, while just 23 years old, she launched a company dedicated to wedding planning. Earlier this year, she expanded her entrepreneurial pursuits by founding a digital service that links couples with wedding planners, successfully securing over $500,000 in early funding rounds.

Having a thick skin is crucial when starting a business, Egan, now aged 33, remarks, highlighting the multi-faceted role of a founder who juggles numerous responsibilities.

Contrary to popular belief, she insists that continuous work doesn’t equate to startup success, especially for those managing family roles.

Balancing Business and Babies

Egan, already a mother of one, discovered her twin pregnancy merely a month before her planned rollout for Cheersy. "The thought of caring for twins is daunting, even for the most seasoned parent," she had previously shared with CNBC Make It.

Her daily life is now a balancing act filled with investor dialogs, strategic discussions, and essential medical checkups.

Navigating Startup Pressures

Facing the simultaneous challenges of a startup launch and pregnancy, Egan extended her initial funding timeline and postponed the upcoming capital round until beyond the twins’ birth.

She finds the typical startup fervor leaves little room for personal life. One investor’s preference for weekend calls, to gauge dedication, particularly frustrated Egan.

Women founders, often primary in domestic roles, experience extra pressure in this field. "It's like playing a game stacked against you," she expressed.

Egan's strong network of female entrepreneurs, bolstered by her husband's support, provides a necessary respite. Yet, she's had to reconcile with the improbability of 'having it all.'

She advocates for more mothers to pursue entrepreneurship, acknowledging the lack of adequate support structures available to them.

Prioritizing Well-being

Avoiding burnout at all stages of one's life is essential, Egan stresses, emphasizing the importance of downtime with loved ones to recharge.

"The health and well-being aspect, both mentally and physically, is often neglected but crucial for business leaders," she notes.

Egan believes integrating personal time into her routine is key to her prosperity. "Success isn’t solely about building a company; it’s about cultivating a fulfilling life too," she asserts, underscoring that true greatness often lies beyond intense specialization.