Planning a maternity leave as a business owner is something that I wanted to shed light on because I feel that it isn’t talked about enough. As I am approaching my second maternity leave in just two years, I have spent some time reflecting on my first experience. I have realized that there were some mistakes that I made and I have a lot of key takeaways that have paved the way for a more intentional approach this time around.

I wanted to share my advice because I remember feeling quite lost the first time I was planning my maternity leave. There was seldom information out their online and I found that the topic is not talked about enough.

In this blog, I am going to walk you through the 5 things that I am doing differently this maternity leave and some of the mistakes I made last time.

1. Clearing the Calendar

Last time, I underestimated the toll of maintaining a busy schedule during maternity leave. This time, I’m ensuring my calendar is completely clear for a MINIMUM of three months. No client calls, no new projects, just a dedicated focus on nurturing my baby and myself.

This ensures that if I have the time and desire to start working earlier, I can, but I am not obligated to.

2. Strengthening Automated Lead Generation

Handling leads manually during my last maternity leave was overwhelming. To streamline this process, I’m setting up a robust automated lead generation system. This includes a comprehensive email sequence nurturing potential clients who visit my website.

By providing valuable information upfront, I aim to minimize the need for direct engagement while still generating leads effectively.

3. Planning for Passive Income

One lesson I learned in my first maternity leave was the need for a more established passive income stream. This time around, I’ve spent the past year refining my template shop and other passive income avenues.

These efforts are aimed at creating financial stability during my time away from active client work.

4. Embracing Zero Expectations

Motherhood brings unexpected changes, both physically and emotionally. I’ve learned to embrace this uncertainty and let go of any rigid expectations about bouncing back to a pre-baby routine. This mindset shift allows me to focus entirely on the present moment with my child.

5. Simplifying Everything

As I prepare for this maternity leave and future expansions of my family, I’ve simplified my business operations. From reducing client intake to focusing on higher-value, longer-term projects, every decision now aligns with my goal of achieving work-life harmony.

Preparing for maternity leave as a business owner comes with its unique set of challenges and opportunities. By reflecting on past experiences and implementing these changes, I hope to not only enjoy this precious time with my growing family but also maintain a thriving business.

If you’re also navigating maternity leave or planning for it in the future, I encourage you to prioritize self-care and thoughtful planning—it makes all the difference.

To hear more of my thoughts about planning a maternity leave and taking on motherhood as a business owner, be sure to tune into Episode 114 of the Behind The Design Podcast.