I’m not going to pretend that running a global business while raising children is easy. Some days, everything flows. I’ve had enough sleep, the kids are happy and fed, I’ve worked around baby naps, spent quality time with my six-year-old, and still managed to tick off everything on my to-do list.
And then there are the other days.
Running a global business means working across multiple time zones. Occasionally that involves meetings outside standard working hours, sometimes even late at night. While those moments can be challenging, they are rare, and the flexibility that comes with working globally far outweighs the negatives. Being able to work around school hours, naps, and family life, and to work from almost anywhere in the world, has been invaluable.
You don’t have to choose between being a present mum and being a business owner. What you do need is focus, flexibility and a willingness to build a business that works for your life,
not against it.
Starting small and staying open
In 2016, I registered as a sole trader and officially launched Leeli Design. At the time, the business had two parts: my handmade jewellery brand, which still operates under Leeli Design today, and a freelance design arm that would later evolve into Leeli & Co.
Although I had previously worked with large global brands such as Primark, Forever New and New Look, freelancing was a completely different experience. I was suddenly responsible for finding work, pricing my time, managing clients and stepping outside the comfort of a traditional nine-to-five role.
Alongside this, I was learning how to build a product-based brand from the ground up. I navigated selling my designs, building a website, approaching wholesalers and pricing my products correctly for wholesale. None of it was perfect. I learned by doing, built confidence through action, and quickly understood the reality behind “faking it until you make it”.
There was no global plan in place at the beginning. The business evolved naturally as opportunities arose.
How the business became global, without losing flexibility
In 2022, after the disruption of COVID and with my daughter back in childcare, I felt ready to expand. I registered Leeli & Co as a company with the clear intention to grow. At that point, I was turning down opportunities simply because I didn’t have the capacity to take them on alone.
I had already begun working with assistants, but this was the moment I consciously started
building a broader team. As a natural networker, growth often came through connections – someone knowing someone who was the perfect fit for a role.
Over time, Leeli & Co developed into a global team, with designers and collaborators across the UK, Europe, the USA and Australia, and long-standing supplier relationships in China and India. I chose flexibility over a traditional office model, which proved beneficial not only for brands and suppliers, who gained near 24-hour access to designers, but also for freelancers seeking flexible working arrangements that fit around parenthood.
Being global did not mean longer hours or more pressure. In many ways, it meant working smarter. It allowed me to bring in talent where I was weaker, build strong support systems and create a business that could grow sustainably.
Motherhood as a strength, not a setback
Motherhood is often seen as a limitation in business, but in my experience, it has been a strength. As mothers, we juggle multiple needs, manage time with precision, anticipate problems before they arise and develop a strong sense of intuition. We build emotional intelligence, resilience and leadership skills every single day. These qualities are incredibly valuable in business, particularly when leading teams and managing global relationships.
Thanks to the shifts brought about by COVID, it has also become far more acceptable for real life to occasionally appear in professional settings. And as someone who designs children’s products, having two little “testers” at home has been an unexpected bonus.
Motherhood didn’t slow my business down. It shaped it.
The mindset shifts that made the biggest difference
A few key mindset changes transformed the way I work:
- Progress over perfection. Waiting for everything to be perfect often means missing
opportunities. Business and technology move quickly, and action builds momentum. - Ask for help early. The sooner you recognise where support is needed, the quicker
challenges can be solved. - Surround yourself with people who are better than you. Bringing in expertise allows
both you and your business to grow. - Build systems instead of relying solely on personal capacity.
- Allow your business to evolve alongside your life. Our personal and professional
needs change constantly, and our businesses should support our lifestyles, not dictate
them.
A gentle reality check
Not every season is about growth. Some months everything aligns and momentum builds. Other weeks are about survival – managing cash flow, chasing payments, responding to changing shipping tariffs or navigating cancelled orders.
Success also looks different at different life stages. Where I once focused heavily on designing, I now find greater fulfilment in leading, mentoring and building structure for others to thrive.
Looking ahead
What started as freelance work slowly became something much bigger. Recognising when it was time to step into a new role did not happen overnight. As the business grew, I realised that sustainability came from letting go of doing everything myself and embracing a different kind of leadership.
That transition, from freelancer to founder, is something I will explore more deeply in the next chapter of this series.
For now, if there is one thing I hope you take away, it is this: you do not have to choose between being a present mother and a driven business owner. With intention, flexibility and patience, it is possible to build a business that grows alongside your family, not at the expense of it.