Written by Viviana Castaneda, Digital Mompreneur
Viviana Castaneda, a mom of two and entrepreneur since 2017, is the founder of Digital Mompreneurs—an empowering brand helping moms bring their digital business ideas to life. With a focus on confidence, time management, and content consistency, Viviana is dedicated to empowering fellow moms in the digital world.
Hey, mama! So, you're dreaming of starting your own business, whether you're knee-deep in the brainstorming phase, already launched, or feeling a little lost. Guess what? You’re not alone. I’ve been there too, and I know firsthand that being a mompreneur isn’t just about building something great, it’s about balancing family, work, and everything else life throws at us.
Today, I’m going to walk you through the top mistakes moms make when starting a business and, more importantly, how to avoid them. You’re on the verge of something amazing, and I want to make sure you’re set up for success. So, let’s dive in!
1. Choosing the wrong business model
I get it. You’re excited, and you’ve probably seen other moms or entrepreneurs killing it with a certain business model, whether it’s 1:1 coaching, selling digital products, or running memberships. It’s tempting to jump right in and follow their lead. But here’s the thing: Not every business model fits every lifestyle.
As a mom, your time is precious, and some business models can be incredibly time-consuming.
For example, 1:1 coaching can be rewarding, but it’s also time-intensive, which may not work when you’re juggling school runs, nap schedules, and family commitments. Instead, models like online courses or memberships might be a better fit. They allow you to build something once, refine it, and create an income stream without having to trade your time for money.
Real talk: My personal experience
When I started my first business, I tried to do everything: coaching, consulting, content creation, sales, admin, partnerships, you name it. I had no clarity on what would fit my time or strengths, and let me tell you, it was exhausting. Especially because my son was just 2 years old, I was pregnant with my second baby and COVID hit!
I followed all the “shiny objects” doing what other people told me worked, but it wasn’t aligned with my life. It wasn’t until I found the right digital business model for me that things began to flow. That’s why I 1000% recommend getting clear on what lights you up and what fits into your life before diving into any model.
2. Not validating your idea before you launch
This one’s a game-changer, mama. We’ve all been there. You get this brilliant idea, you’re super excited, and you just want to run with it. But wait! Just because you’re excited about your idea doesn’t mean your audience will be.
Before you invest time and energy into building a course, service, or product, you need to validate your idea. Testing your idea upfront can save you so much frustration and disappointment. Try creating a quick survey, posting a poll in a Facebook group, or even pre-selling your product to see if people are willing to pay for it. That way, you know your idea has legs before you spend months developing it.
Why validation and messaging matter
I’ve seen so many amazing mompreneurs create incredible courses or services only to launch and hear crickets. Why? Because they skipped that critical step: asking, “Does my audience even want this?”
One mompreneur I know poured her heart into a course on raising kids with positive discipline, but her launch fell flat. Not because the course wasn’t valuable, it was but because she didn’t connect with her audience in the right way. She was so focused on things like Facebook ad costs that she missed the mark with her messaging. Your audience needs to feel understood and spoken to from where they are, not where you want them to be. So, validation ensures people want your product, and messaging makes them feel seen and excited to buy.
3. Trying to do it all alone
Look, we moms are superheroes but even superheroes need a team. Many of us feel like we have to do everything ourselves, but that’s a recipe for burnout. Running a business while raising a family is no joke, and trying to handle it all on your own will leave you overwhelmed and stretched too thin.
Here’s the truth: You need support. Whether that’s outsourcing tasks like admin or social media, finding a mentor, or surrounding yourself with other like-minded moms, you don’t have to do this alone. And when you stop trying to juggle every single task, you’ll find yourself and your business thriving.
My personal journey with support
When I first started, I thought asking for help meant I wasn’t doing enough. Boy, was I wrong! Once I embraced the idea that I couldn’t (and shouldn’t) do it all, things changed. I outsourced the tasks that drained me (like the tech stuff), found mentors who guided me and built a community of other mompreneurs who kept me going. The moment I stopped trying to be a one-woman show, everything got easier.
4. Not having a plan for time management
Ah, time management is one of the hardest things for us moms to master! It’s so easy to get caught up in all the moving parts of running a business, especially when you're also managing a household and raising kids. Without a solid plan in place, it can feel like you’re constantly putting out fires.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that time management isn’t about working harder. It’s about working smarter and being strategic with the time you have. Maybe you only get 2-3 hours of focused work while your kids are at school or napping. Make those hours count! Prioritize high-impact tasks like content creation or marketing that will actually move your business forward.
Here’s how I manage it
Time management is one of my favorite topics because it’s taken me years to perfect my own system. For us mompreneurs, time is always changing, kids grow, and schedules shift, so your plan needs to be flexible but also give you structure. What worked for me was creating workflows so I knew what needed to be done each week. Batch-create content one day, follow up with clients another day and give your week a structure that works for you.
So, there you have it, the top 4 mistakes moms make when starting a business:
Choosing the wrong business model that doesn’t fit your lifestyle or time.
Not validating your idea before investing time and money.
Trying to do everything alone without asking for help.
Not having a time management plan.
You’ve got this, mama! These mistakes don’t have to slow you down. With clarity, validation, and the right support, you can build a business that fits your life and lets you thrive.
Ready to take it to the next level?
If this post resonated with you and you’re ready to take your idea to the next level, I’ve got something special for you. I’m hosting a free webinar called "Idea to Biz Made Simple," where I’ll be diving deeper into all of these topics. We’ll cover how to:
Find the right business model that aligns with your life.
Validate your idea and make sure people will buy.
Master time management and create workflows that work for you.
I’ll also be sharing some amazing success stories of moms who turned their business dreams into reality and how you can, too.
Click here to register now and get started on turning that idea into a profitable, stress-free business that fits your life.
Let’s do this, mama!
Read more from Viviana Castaneda
Viviana Castaneda, Digital Mompreneur
Viviana Castaneda has been making waves in the entrepreneurial world since 2017. With a bachelor's degree in marketing and a dedication to her role as a mother, she has seamlessly balanced her entrepreneurial journey with raising her children. As the founder of Digital Mompreneurs, she leverages her personal experiences to develop empowering tactics and strategies that assist fellow mompreneurs in regaining the confidence essential for success, delving deep into the understanding of the human brain, mind, and behavior.
