I decided to showcase one more mom this month, since these highlights are a new addition to the blog and I want to brag on the amazing professional part-time working moms, who I interviewed. I’ll focus on one mom each month, moving forward.
Meet Cailen Ascher, the founder of Cailen Ascher Clarity Coaching, and a professional part-time working mom powerhouse. Cailen combines business coaching with a mindful approach to business, which she has developed over years from her yoga practice and training. She helps her clients – women entrepreneurs – attain success and clarity, based on their individual terms and vision.
Work Time
Cailen works about 20 hours per week over the course of 3 days. She works Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. That way she can take off Mondays and Fridays and, if not, she’ll make sure to limit interaction with her team and clients to during her children’s nap times. Cailen shared that this was one of her biggest challenges – wrapping her head around the idea of having a successful 6-figure salary working part-time. It’s amazing to think she can achieve all she does while working 3 days each week. She built her business from the beginning with the idea of having a balanced lifestyle, so it’s part of how she works.
Professional Path
Cailen originally started her career post-undergrad as an interior designer. Her initial career was creating beauty in women’s lives. She wanted to impact women’s lives and knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur, so she took that idea very literally. She admits it was hard to walk away from a successful business, but she knew that wasn’t exactly what she wanted. Cailen wasn’t quite finding the right role, though, so she kept trying new things on her journey. What she did enjoy and still does is the back-office elements and strategy – things like crafting a business plan, setting up the business infrastructure, etc.
Once she had her daughter, Cailen had her moment of clarity. She realized that she wanted to help moms with strategically building their businesses, and her coaching business was born. She was able to prioritize and set reasonable expectations in her own business and now she helps others do the same.
Now 2 years later, Cailen is a mom of two little daughters and is eternally grateful that she decided to design a business that supports her lifestyle and not devote her life to her business.
Benefit of Working Part-time
No question, Cailen loves her lifestyle. She’s able to do something she loves professionally and be a strong presence in her daughters’ lives. While some people put their lives on hold to build their business, she has enjoyed the journey of raising a family while building a business.
Advice
- Be OK with some things taking longer. When she gets frustrated with this, she puts things back into perspective of this lifestyle is a choice she’s made.
- Ask for help when you need it. Cailen has a team that works with her in her business and at home.
- Divide household duties up with your significant other. One partner shouldn’t be doing all of it. And see what pieces you can delegate to third parties (e.g., housekeeping).
- Create a vision. Know what you’re moving toward.
- Specifically for full-time working moms at a company, who are dealing with burnout:
- Ask your employers for what you need. There is often room for cutting back your hours.
- Prioritize self-care. If you don’t incorporate self-care into your routine, you might not have anything to give to your family or work. You want to create support practices to build yourself up, especially in your transition phase.
If you’re wanting to hang out and chat with more moms like Cailen, come join us in the Mompowerment Facebook group.
