Motherhood, Business and the Courage to Build Something That Matters
Motherhood is often spoken about with warmth, but rarely with the respect it deserves as a powerful training ground for leadership. Yet the truth is simple: if you can negotiate with a toddler, you can negotiate with anyone. The daily rhythm of raising children quietly builds some of the most valuable business skills in the world — communication, resilience, discipline, empathy, and the ability to make decisions when the stakes feel deeply personal.
For many women, motherhood isn’t separate from ambition; it sits right at the centre of it. Raising six children while building and running a business might sound extraordinary, but for countless women it reflects a familiar reality — learning to lead a team while packing school lunches, making strategic decisions between school runs, and staying committed to a vision even when exhaustion sets in.
Why Motherhood Is Still Undervalued
Despite the skills it develops, motherhood is still widely undervalued in modern society. The emotional intelligence required to raise confident, loved and disciplined children mirrors the leadership qualities businesses actively seek. Children need clear communication, boundaries and encouragement — and so do teams.
When children grow up knowing they are loved, but also understanding that actions have consequences, they carry those lessons into the wider world. In many ways, motherhood is leadership in its purest form: shaping the next generation while managing the present.
Building a Business While Raising a Family
Balancing business and family is rarely neat or perfectly structured. More often, it is fuelled by hard work, persistence and a willingness to stay fully engaged, even when switching off would be easier.
Starting a business often requires full commitment. There is no neat divide between “work life” and “home life” — especially when both are built with passion and purpose. For many entrepreneurs, that commitment never truly fades. The drive evolves, but the engagement remains.
Sometimes the biggest leaps forward begin with an idea others are unsure about. Securing a grant to build cottages on a family farm became the start of a new chapter — one that grew into a thriving agritourism venture. What began as a risk turned into a bridge between city and countryside, welcoming visitors from around the world to experience agriculture first-hand and to see how deeply farmers care for the land.
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Connecting the City and the Country
Agritourism is more than a business model; it is a way of reconnecting people with the origins of their food, their environment and the communities that sustain them. Visitors arrive curious and often leave with a renewed appreciation for the work, care and dedication that farming demands.
This kind of venture reflects a broader truth about women in leadership: they often build businesses that create connection, community and long-term impact.
The Power of Women Who Nurture Change
The story of motherhood and entrepreneurship is not simply about juggling responsibilities. It is about shaping families, building communities and creating opportunities for future generations. It is about courage, persistence and the willingness to believe in an idea before others can see its potential.
As we reflect on these stories, we are reminded that many of the most profound contributions to society happen quietly — in homes, in communities, and in the spaces where care and leadership meet.
Join Us: WA International Women’s Day 2026 – Leaders Breakfast Event
Join us at the WA International Women’s Day 2026 – Leaders Breakfast Event. This special breakfast honours remarkable women who shaped Western Australia’s history through leadership, activism, motherhood, caregiving, and community building.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, 6 March 2026
Time: 6:30am to 10:00am AWST
Venue: State Reception Centre, Fraser’s Kings Park
We look forward to welcoming you to this moving and inspiring celebration of women’s achievements and contributions.