Celebrating mothers who do it all

With Mother’s Day on everyone’s mind, the time for celebrating the power of women is palpable.

Three entrepreneurial women talked to the Sandton Chronicle to explain how they achieve balance, with the ever-increasing demands of starting and building a business and the added pressures of motherhood.

Managing member of Ziyahlanjwa Laundry Services, Sivu Mongo is the mother of three children aged 21, 15 and 11 and also runs a thriving business offering dry cleaning and laundry services. Mongo said the key to her success lies in scheduling every moment of her business and personal life.

She said, “If you plan your day and separate business time and family time, you will never go wrong. It’s not easy to balance family life and building a business but it is possible and the reward of being your own boss means it is worthwhile.”

Director and owner of Good Night, which is a child sleep consultancy, Petro Thamm runs the small business that helps parents with babies and children who struggle to sleep through the night. Thamm added, “I try to schedule certain times of the day for certain priorities. When I work, I give 100 per cent and when I spend time with my family, they are my priority. As a single mother of two boys aged two and five, it’s wise to take care of yourself and your health by unplugging and resting so that you remain at the top of your game.”

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Managing member at Old School Cool cc, Tiffini Wissing offers safe, reliable transportation for unaccompanied minors. Wissing, a mother of two biological children and a kangaroo mother to three, gets to work at 3am each morning and stresses the importance of getting the balance right.

“It is important to focus on family when you’re with them and on work when you’re at the office. Learn to be present where you are. Another tip is to find reliable childcare to know they are in safe hands while you are taking over the world,” she said.

Have you got a wonderful story about your mother you would like to share? Tell us on WhatsApp on 079 439 5345.