Being a mom is a rewarding experience. I was so lucky to be blessed with three little ones. But sometimes, life has new plans and when my husband left, I had to be the family supporter.

Supporting my family is also a blessing, and I do not regret it even for a moment. It gets challenging, but I love what I do and I have friends and family around me who help out with everything.

Being a mom who needs to support the family is not disgraceful and you shouldn’t feel ashamed. Instead, take control of your life and lead it the way you want.

In the beginning

Before my husband left, I was a hairdresser. I had my own salon and regular clients. While I didn’t need to work, I enjoyed being creative with people’s hair and seeing the joy when they got a new style or color.

I was never extremely busy at work, but made some good money. I used the income to cover the expenses of the business, and sometimes even had a profit. I did it for the joy it brought to others, not for the money I could get out of it.

This approach had to change when I became the full-time family supporter. So, I did some research and changed my situation.

Making the change

Being a single mom is a fun but trying experience. I need to bring in the income while also being there for my children. Luckily, I found a way to do this while even increasing my income with the same number of customers as before.

Instead of renting my own storefront and being responsible for all the expenses of my business, I found a startup that helps people like me by offering a private studio in their mini salons. Using their booth rentals provides you the freedom and flexibility. Much of the cost is taken away and I focus more on the income.

I get to use my booth however I like. I can decorate it any way I want, play whatever music I choose, and my customers are comfortable. I am also supplied with some of the startup tools, and things like coffee for waiting clients.

The freedom

This system brought me freedom. I am financially free because the company takes care of my business. I focus on my clients and my children. Everything else is taken care of for me.

I am also given the opportunity to bring in a higher income than before. Many other hair stylists who work in the salon alongside me will tell you the same - our income has improved drastically since working for ourselves.

This gives me more money to take care of and spoil my children, and I can even take vacations sometimes. When life gets too much, I just take a break.

Trials and blessings

As I said, being a working single mom is tough. But, it is a blessing. My children were going to school already by the time my husband left. This meant that I could work during school hours and take care of them in the afternoon. Before booth rentals, this was not sustainable and I found myself needing to work a 9 to 5 day to make things work.

It was difficult missing my children’s sports days and recitals, and I often came home miserable about it. I needed to do something to make sure I wouldn’t miss another moment. While I am still tired some days and don’t always feel like heading out to my son’s ball game, or my daughter’s drama recitals, I now have the time.

Balancing work and a family is tough in general, but when you’re also a single mom, you need to balance extra carefully. I am lucky to have the opportunities that allow this balance more easily.