The challenges of a caregiver running a business
Here at GTEX we believe that we have incredible value in all members of the community we serve and this month we are shining a spotlight on those who are caregivers. This is by no means an easy task and many who are in this position believe that “you just get on with it” and they are nothing special.
What we are here to acknowledge today is that you are incredibly special and every single one of you has a unique and inspiring story to tell!
You are also not alone! In fact;
Alison Rose, CEO of NatWest Group and Author of the Rose Review published in
The Rose Review Progress Report 2022 a study of individuals across the UK on 520 individuals, of which 427 were entrepreneurs and 69% of which were female. An equivalent of 6-10 females to 0-5 males and at the time were 62% less likely to have their business recover from Covid-19.
According to Forbes, the US is reporting heading toward a “severe shortage of caregivers”, in both a paid and unpaid capacity. So there is more demand on unpaid and informal caregivers to make ends meet whilst managing their other commitments. Techstars have published the numerical value of the unpaid family caregiving market to be $470 billion.
What we are interested to hear are the insights of those within the community who run a business and who also care for family, friends, neighbours and anybody else who is dependent on them to manage their day to day physical, intellectual, emotional, social, financial and any other needs.
Now it’s time to hear from our GTeX members on running a business with chronic illness.
Feel free to join the conversation and add your thoughts or experiences in the comments.
Amanda Murray
Website: www.Amanda-Murray.co.uk
How do you find being a caregiver impact your life?
Life as a caregiver is very demanding of my time and energy. It is also an emotional roller coaster and impromptu events may demand my attention at any time.
What is the most important lesson you have learned from the experience of juggling running a business and caring for someone else?
Taking time to focus on my own care, relieving my own stress and making sure I am mentally and emotionally as balanced as possible is the most important consideration in order for me to give my best to everyone else.
What advice would you give to anyone who is a caregiver and running a business?
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to meet self imposed deadlines or your own expectations. This will set you up to fail.
Ragini Hildreth
Website: www.ragini-hildreth.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ragini-hildreth-6a9983121/
How do you find being a caregiver impact your life?
My mum has been chronically ill all my life and my dad died when I was 13. As a result, I had to do things like shopping, cooking, housework etc and looking after younger siblings from a very young age. She has had periods of remission but as her health declined she has needed more and more support. The impact is one of loss and gains. There is the loss of independence in terms of doing what you want when you want. The gains is that you have the opportunity to show love. However, being a caregiver can be very lonely and exhausting.
What is the most important lesson you have learned from the experience of juggling running a business and caring for someone else?
You have to balance flexibility with setting clear boundaries. It is easy to get lost in another persons needs that you lose sight of your own goal.
What advice would you give to anyone who is a caregiver and running a business?
YOU need support. It is vital to invest in a network of support for you to remain healthy. You cannot help anyone if you are depleted.
Claudia Romero
Website: https://claudia-romero.com/
How do you find being a caregiver impact your life?
It has changed everything to be honest. It’s been a deep transformation. Essentially, all my previous plans were turned upside down, and as a family, we’ve had to make significant adjustments to our lives and routines. Originally, we had intended to spend a few years in the UK and then return to my home country, where all my family and friends live. However, when my youngest son was born with a very rare syndrome, we realized that the best place for us was right here. We found the comprehensive support he and we needed, something we couldn’t have provided in any other country. (my husband’s country or mine would mean both of us had to work long hours to pay for the medical care our son needs) The early years of his life were spent largely in hospitals. We had to learn loads of complex medical jargon, visit multiple doctors for various concerns, and at times, advocate fiercely for his needs. Deep down, we knew as parents what was best for him, and we refused to accept that nothing could be done.
It was an exhausting journey, particularly because we also had to care for our two other young children. My husband did his part, but as the primary breadwinner, a significant portion of the caregiving responsibilities and logistics fell on me. As a result, my career had to adapt. Instead of seeking a traditional 9-5 job, I had to be resourceful and honest with myself, acknowledging that a conventional job simply wasn’t feasible. This shift opened up an entrepreneurial path for me. While things have settled down somewhat, my number one priority has always been my children, especially the one who requires round-the-clock attention. I’m grateful for the school he attends and the support we receive from the system, as it has afforded me some free hours to build a couple of businesses and not have to give up on my own career aspirations. And all the people who has been worked with me knows my situation up front so they know that I am committed with them but that a level of flexibility is required.
What is the most important lesson you have learned from the experience of juggling running a business and caring for someone else?
I’ve learned up several valuable lessons along the way. Initially, I thought I was cut out for working under someone else, but my journey has taught me how to create businesses that I can manage while taking care of my son and family. Be independent is great, although requires a lot of discipline, perseverance and consistency. Organization has become my best friend, and maintaining focus is crucial to prevent burnout and overwhelm. Some days just don’t go as planned, and you have to be quick to adapt and make decisions on the fly.
I’ve realized that delegation is essential, not only in work-related matters but also in other aspects of life. Depending on others helps the overall machinery run more efficiently. Setting clear priorities and having an action plan provides structure while allowing room for flexibility when needed. It’s also important to remember that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. We’re not superheroes with endless energy; we all need time to recharge and unwind, or we won’t be able to help anyone effectively.
Concentrating on the most important parts that drive your business or career will give you better results than trying to do too much and achieving very little. That path can be exhausting and demotivating, leaving you feeling like you haven’t achieved much in the end.
What advice would you give to anyone who is a caregiver and running a business?
As mentioned earlier, the primary emphasis is on making time for yourself to reset and recharge. It’s essential to carve out moments for self-care, nurturing your own wellbeing and happiness, and finding rest. Additionally, thorough research is key. Explore the available resources and support systems that can help ease your load. External assistance is accessible, whether it’s for your business or for the care of your loved ones.
Once you’ve gathered all the necessary resources, you can start organizing things to make your business run more smoothly. Being mindful of how you use your time is crucial for maximizing your productivity and ensuring you have enough personal time. Use time management techniques like blocking off specific time slots and make sure to set clear limits. Sometimes, concentrating on three hours of focused work can accomplish more than spreading tasks over ten hours. Additionally, requesting that others respect your time will provide you with the space needed to be more productive, highlighting the significance of careful planning.
A good night’s sleep is also vital for allowing your body and mind to revitalize. It’s common to have a lot on your mind, so keeping a small notebook to write down your thoughts can help you gain perspective on what really requires attention and action. Many times, you’ll find tasks that can be discarded or delegated. Focus your energy on essential tasks, and categorize the rest into three categories: Delay, Delegate, or Discard.
Lastly, I’d like to emphasize that I wouldn’t change a thing—well, not entirely true. I wish it were easier to navigate the system to obtain the support you truly need. However, once you’ve established your support network, the journey becomes smoother. It’s a challenging path to balance caregiving and entrepreneurship, but it’s achievable. It might take longer than if you had more free time without caregiving responsibilities, but in the end, you’re crafting the life you desire, with the freedom to manage your time and achieve your goals.
Final Thoughts
Every single member of GTeX has a story and a life of multiple layers. The incredible people within this community juggle so many elements and show up time and time again in everything that they do. Thank you to every single one of you for being and sharing who you are.
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