This post is for business owners, freelancers, remote workers and/or those with a business idea they are in the middle of validating, researching or exploring.

Who have had to close their premises, cancel events, scale back their operations and start working exclusively from home, due to social distancing.

I’m thinking of you.

With your current reality looking completely different today than it did weeks ago, I am not going to tell you what to do because only you will know what is right for you, right now.

Your health is of the utmost importance and in these times, you won’t be working 24/7 on/in your business because you are also most likely caring for your loved ones, community and/or those in need.

I won’t advise you to completely change your business model, move everything online or develop a new offering.

What I would like to share are a few ideas and existing resources, as you work behind the scenes in your business, which may help to bolster any foundations you already have or put in place some if they don’t currently exist.

I have also created a free Time Blocking Made Easy template for you to help with structuring your days and avoid overwhelm.

These tasks can mostly be done in short windows of time because they don’t require deep work (long periods of concentration).

Some timely resources for Canadian businesses as the programming and supports made available roll out as it relates to your:

Finance and Operations

‘Tis income tax filing season if you’re in Canada. Sort your receipts. Record your bookkeeping entries. Prepare your accounts for your accountant and if you don’t have a regular one, search for an accredited one online.

On March 18th, the Federal Government announced support for Canadians in response to COVID-19, which covers income, extended tax filing and payment deadlines, mortgage management tools and specific support for small business.

numbercrunch Inc., a team of virtual CFOs, Controllers and Bookkeepers recently published a blog post which covers 7 Steps for Small Businesses to Mitigate the Financial Impact of COVID-19.

Have you recently explored small business funding or lending programs in Canada and Ontario? The Federal Government announcement this week includes a temporary wage subsidy up to a maximum of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer.

The Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) will be executed through Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC), to provide more than $10 billion to SMEs. The link above from March 18th contains further details.

Marketing and Sales

Communication is key in times like this. From a strategic perspective: If you have a team of people reporting into you, compassion is essential, as is sticking to the facts. Clarity, consistency and transparency will all need to be used across your verbal, written and visual communications. This article on building trust in an untrustworthy world outlines steps leaders take in times of crisis.

When it comes to your operational marketing communications plans, can you work on batching your content creation for the next month or quarter (newsletters, social media, blog posts, website updates)? Stay connected with your audience, while maintaining your brand.

Likewise, examine any planned or scheduled content or sales launches which need to be paused, edited or cancelled in light of the pandemic. If your messaging doesn’t factor current affairs in, you may upset customers or lose them altogether.

If your business is still open to the public and can continue operating in the current state of emergency (declared in Ontario), check out the Federal Government’s Resources for Canadian Businesses: COVID-19.

Download a copy of our free Time Blocking Made Easy Template

Prioritize Your Week + Avoid Overwhelm

Enter your details here to receive our template which includes:

• 30 time blocking ideas for your home, work and self;
• a sample weekly time blocking calendar; and
• a blank weekly time blocking calendar template

It’s a simple template to read and adapt to your needs.

It has been written from the perspective of a parent of two kids ones under age four, who has been working remotely and from home for the past six years.

I don’t follow someone else’s formula, I do what is right for me and encourage you to do the same, adjusting to your personal circumstances.

Stay well as it relates to your overall health and well-informed as it relates to existing supports for your family and your business.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch via the comments below or email: contact[at]amymaureenlynch.com if you have feedback or questions.

Best wishes always,
– Amy (+ Family)

Flexible + Remote Work Resources For You:

SHOP Products + Online Courses

• Short Online Course – Mixing Babies And Business: 3 Ways To Make Remote Work More Productive For You (+ Your Family) [LEARN MORE]
• NEW Book – Startup Blogging: Validate A Business Idea and Build Your Audience [LEARN MORE]
• Online Course – Based on the book Startup Blogging: Validate A Business Idea and Build Your Audience [JOIN THE WAITLIST]

FREE Digital Resources, Templates + Guides

• Template – Remote Work (With Kids) Time Blocking Made Easy [LEARN MORE]
• Guide – Babies + Business Mini Guide To Navigating The Corporate Jungle (With Kids) [LEARN MORE]

Because I like the path of least resistance, quick wins and have a short memory.

⏳I’ve been working remotely since 2014, when I was living in Europe but freelancing for a company in Australia across a 10-hour time difference.

When we had our first kid in 2016, all of a sudden I had a co-pilot, co-founder and co-worker (but mostly all play, no work) buddy.

So I continued doing my thing, alongside him, bringing him everywhere with me and working in bursts of time when I could around his schedule, as it was just him and I for 10-12 hour stretches on most weekdays.

In 2018, we added another little guy to our family and I can honestly say I don’t think I’ll ever seek a non-flexible gig situation as I believe it is the future of work.

Some people ask me how I do what I do. WHEN do I have time? HOW do I get things done? WHY do I it? 👀 Is NOW really the best time to be trying to build a business and have a family? My answers to all of the above aren’t simple, uncomplicated or scientific so I won’t bore you with the details.

For the past six years I’ve used time blocking to create an evolving schedule that works for me and in more recent years, my family as well.

I don’t follow someone else’s formula, I do what is right for me and the outline on this image and below is what I’m doing right now – adapt for yourself as you wish or ignore it altogether, you know what’s right for you.

My flexible routine is simple, I have three life areas I focus on: home, work and self.

HOME = family, my actual physical house, friends, family, finances, food, anything that creates a foundation for me.

WORK = business, contracts, employers, operations, marketing, sales, creating intellectual property, anything that contributes to income producing activities.

SELF = looking after me through sleep, education, relaxation, meditation and any other acts of self-love and nourishment.

The BEST part about the way I’ve been using time blocking over the past several years is: It can all be done from your home, each one in 30 minutes or less and you can start today.

As in…right now.

Download a copy of our FREE Time Blocking Made Easy Template

Prioritize Your Week + Avoid Overwhelm

Enter your details here to receive our template which includes:

• 30 time blocking ideas for your home, work and self;
• a sample weekly time blocking calendar; and
• a blank weekly time blocking calendar template

It’s a simple template to read and adapt to your needs, so you can:

• Create a work schedule that works with your real life
• Prioritize your tasks…and not just work related ones!
• Explore different ways of organizing your day
• Avoid overwhelm
• And most importantly…get started simply TODAY

It has been written from the perspective of a parent of two kids ones under age four, who has been working remotely and from home for the past six years.

Grab our FREE Template with 15-30 minute ideas + a weekly calendar at this link, by clicking the image or button above.

I focus on chunking things down into small, manageable 15-30 tasks, often batching things if I can.

If I’m hanging pictures, I’m doing a bunch at once. Laundry piles up in a mountain before I think about sorting it. Kitchen gets cleaned during meal prep.

Bookkeeping and filing is done in tandem. Kids’ naptime is sacred and means I drop everything and do work or self activities. Calls don’t get answered, emails don’t get checked during certain windows of time.

Self time is non-negotiable but usually has to wait until certain windows of time as well. But again, it is non-negotiable and I practice it daily.

🗓At the end of a good day, I will have done many small 15 to 30-minute things from each of my home, work and self areas.

On a not-so-good day, I still aim for one from each area, however small, even if they are less than five minutes each.

Maybe I’m odd, but it works for me!

If you haven’t tried time blocking yet, give it a try, let go of any inner critic thoughts and see how you feel at the end of a few days.

You’ll be surprised by what a couple of small actions taken each day, over the course of a week or month can lead to.

Any WFH tips you’re currently using and loving? ⬇️

Comment below and share your ideas!

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Happy (belated) International Women’s Day! #IWD2020

How did you spend the day or week leading up to it?

For the actual day, I was at my kid’s swimming lessons in the morning, hanging with family and soaking up those rays before it turned rainy.

But I had also spent the weeks leading up to it attending events with both of my kids (almost four and two-years-old, as well as some solo), with topics ranging from being a female founder and elevating women in leadership, to becoming an angel investor and getting involved in politics (and potentially putting your name on the ballot).

My toddler and I even went to an event on Parliament Hill for the first time together, through the heavy-duty security clearance with our stroller, diaper bag and winter gear on a very snowy day. 🤹🏻

If you can travel with kids and do airport and customs security, you’ll be fine on Parliament Hill!

I also took my oldest boy to a #WomenOnTheBallot #addwomenchangepolitics mini campaign school trainings at Carleton University, which started around 9 a.m.

Told him mummy was going to school and we needed to listen to the women at the front of the room. I brought some toys, a book, lots of snacks and sat near the exit.

But I made the mistake of sitting near the table of TimBits, cookies and muffins which he became fixated on. 👀

We lasted until around 10 a.m. before the snacks were obliterated, Hooray For Fish wasn’t cutting it and sitting (somewhat) still was no longer an option.

Thank goodness for the helicopter suspended from the ceiling in the engineering building, the adventure of walking through the underground tunnels to get to the lecture theatre and Daddy + little bro swinging by to pick him so I could stay longer to listen to the rest of the session.

I’m not gonna lie: going to these types of events with kids ain’t easy.

But it is do-able. Just not in the same way it would be if you went solo. Doesn’t mean you should disqualify yourself from registering and/or attempting to show up!

I’ve been bringing our kids into business settings since they were weeks old and as we prepare for school soon, some big differences I’ve noticed over the years as they have grown from baby to toddler to preschooler:

• I am less sweaty because I don’t babywear, breastfeed, lug a stroller, a bag jam packed with extra diapers, clothes, snacks, toys…except for when they decide to plank on the floor in a protest and I need to carry 30-40 lbs out of the building. That’s when my stamina is tested. 💪

• The screaming/crying happens less often but the questions get louder and more complex. I’m convinced there is no such thing as a “quiet” whisper for kids and I apologize in advance if you get asked an awkward or embarrassing question…kids are curious. 🤔

• You can never have enough snacks and you should always have a back-up plan for when they run out. They WILL run out or you will go hungry. 🙄

A couple of the recent events were held at Bayview Yards (the 2020 home of my Babies, Business + Breakfast™ meetups) and I just can’t say enough kind words about the team working to make it a more inclusive environment, also focused on diversity and belonging.

I haven’t always felt like I belonged there since I started visiting three years ago in 2017, especially when wheeling my stroller or lugging a car seat and sleeping babe into a packed workshop room.

BUT the times are a changing and sometimes you need to create a place for yourself.

From the first baby change table installed in 2018 and the second one installed the day before our first meetup of 2020 in February, to seeing community members and their babies sitting in the front row at an evening event, I know we are riding a wave of positive change.

Can’t wait to see what the future brings! 👶📈

Now tell me, have you visited any corporate spaces with your kids lately or would you like to? 👇

Babies, Business + Breakfast™

The next Babies, Business + Breakfast™ Pop-Up Event will be held on Tuesday, March 31st, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

We will be meeting again at our new community space in Bayview Yards’ Training Room to discuss Business Funding + Financing Options.

Guest speakers have been confirmed and we will be hearing from:

• Nolan Beanlands, Executive Director, Capital Angel Network

• Camelia Barrit, Senior Loan Officer, Ottawa Community Loan Fund

Who is this event for?

Founders, freelancers, remote workers and potential career changers who are also parents (moms AND dads, parents-to-be welcome too!) who want to learn how to mix business and babies.

Whether you are setting out to build a startup, launch a small business, start freelancing or are simply looking to invest in yourself alongside your little ones, we are here to help you fuel up on fresh business inspiration, strong coffee and get connected to other like-minded parents.

NOTE: If the Government and/or venue applies quarantine restrictions leading up to the event due to COVID-19, I will look at hosting a virtual event or postpone to a future date.

Subscribe to our (FREE) community newsletter!

(If you’re not in Ottawa (or Canada) stay tuned as I’m working on some related parent-friendly professional development resources and offerings for you.)

Get the FREE Babies + Business Mini Guide

Download our FREE Babies + Business Mini Guide To Navigating The Corporate Jungle (With Kids), to encourage parents to explore more, invest in themselves alongside their children, take up space and make room for positive change when it comes to the future of work.

About Babies, Business + Breakfast

We believe parenthood and professional development don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

People have families and they want to invest in themselves. It shouldn’t be an either/or situation and we are creating a community that welcomes primary caregivers AND their children to talk about business in a safe and welcoming space (coffee and croissants included!)

Learn more about Babies, Business + Breakfast™.

Recap of An Evening With Sheena Brady and TeLisa Daughtry

I went to an event featuring Sheena Brady, Founder of Tease Tea and TeLisa Daughtry, Founder of FlyTechnista in late February, as part of the lead up to the International Womxn’s Week 2020 celebrations at Invest Ottawa and Bayview Yards.

I had spent the day with my kids and was late to the event as I left to head there after dinner at home BUT around 6:30 when I arrived, the talk was beginning (whoohoo!)

So I listened in and wrote down a few key takeaways for readers of this blog and my Babies, Business + Breakfast community.

On Diversity and Inclusion:

• If you can’t find suitable growth opportunities, create your own! You can build a stronger network when you are a champion for other people.

• TeLisa says she “roundhouse kicks glass ceilings” because she doesn’t have time to wait another generation for gender equity.

• You need to create innovative and inclusive spaces which allow women to connect with each other and provide more opportunities to get them into STEM/STEAM.

• Hiring for Diversity & Inclusion in action is different than tokenism: it’s like core fitness/training, you need to be honest and truthful about what you do and what you don’t do, it will improve over time the more you practice it, you need to be very intentional, consistent and committed but it is much easier to start at employee #2 than #200 and course correct.

• When she hears the term ‘we hire for culture fit’ she says you’re getting it wrong, we need to think of ‘culture add’, as in ‘what value can this person add?’ instead of thinking of creating an environment in which views won’t be challenged.

On setting boundaries:

• From a health and wellness perspective, they both discussed burnout and boundaries, ensuring you put yourself and your health first as investors and partners are also investing in YOU. Transparency and communication are key when/if you hit burnout.

• TeLisa sets a weekly weekend Out Of Office from Friday until Sunday eve, doesn’t feel obligated to respond to DMs on social media and buffers in procrastination time each day. Be intentional with your time, she creates a no-laptop zone in her bedroom, doesn’t sleep near her phone. “I can’t be the best me if I’m not alive.”

• Sheena says she spent a decade in fight or flight mode, with stress and anxiety a normal part of her routine until she became a parent and her health came under scrutiny. She listens more to her body, sets up tripwires and regularly asks herself, “Am I the best person for this opportunity, can someone else do it instead?”

On building a business:

• Lessons from early on in their entrepreneurship journey included not understanding Intellectual Property (IP) strategy, legal protection, financial and tax law implications, making risky bets and at times having a lack of entrepreneurship education.

• When pitching to investors or negotiating contracts, you want them to look you up (who IS this person!?) and question your audacity…if it’s a quick yes, then you didn’t ask for enough.

• Are you building an empire or a legacy? The latter will outlive you and hopefully by multiple generations.

• On failing fast: Know when to quit, if it’s not profitable, your health is at risk, your relationships are at stake, it isn’t worth it.

Making room for yourself

I stayed on to chat with both guest speakers after the event and really connected with them.

They were so vulnerable and honest with the audience, sharing their experiences in life, business and entrepreneurship. They were also very generous with their time to meet with individuals afterward.

I had the chance to communicate my work on Babies, Business + Breakfast to date.

I also met many other wonderful local businesswomen and another member of the Invest Ottawa team I had yet to meet.

I really can’t say enough about this space, the programming they host and the team keeping things running smoothly.

I haven’t always felt like I belonged there since I started visiting three years ago in 2017, especially when wheeling my stroller or lugging a car seat and sleeping babe into a packed workshop room.

BUT the times are a changing and sometimes you need to create a place for yourself.

From the first baby change table installed in 2018 and the second one installed the day before my first Babies, Business + Breakfast event of 2020 a few weeks ago, to seeing community members and their babies sitting in the front row at this event, I know we are riding a wave of positive change.

I can’t wait to see what the future brings! 👶📈

Babies, Business + Breakfast comes to Bayview Yards once per month

It’s not every day you see stroller parking, car seats and a children’s play area in the Training Room at Bayview Yards (also the home of Invest Ottawa). But business is human and we believe parenthood and professional development don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

The next Babies, Business + Breakfast event will be held on Tuesday, March 31st, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Registration is now open for the next pop-up on Tuesday, March 31st via the button below. Tickets are limited as most parents bring a +1 (or 2) little one with them and the Training Room has restricted numbers, so get in quick if you’d like to check out the community I’m building!

Subscribe to our (FREE) community newsletter!

(If you’re not in Ottawa (or Canada) stay tuned as I’m working on some related parent-friendly professional development resources and offerings for you.)

Get the FREE Babies + Business Mini Guide

Download our FREE Babies + Business Mini Guide To Navigating The Corporate Jungle (With Kids), to encourage parents to explore more, invest in themselves alongside their children, take up space and make room for positive change when it comes to the future of work.

About Babies, Business + Breakfast

We believe parenthood and professional development don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

People have families and they want to invest in themselves. It shouldn’t be an either/or situation and we are creating a community that welcomes primary caregivers AND their children to talk about business in a safe and welcoming space (coffee and croissants included!)

Learn more about Babies, Business + Breakfast™.

Uncertain about what to expect when attending business events with your kids? 

This is what you can expect when you attend my Babies, Business + Breakfast pop-up events, which I’ve been hosting at business startup and accelerator spaces around the City of Ottawa.

1) PACK YOUR SUPPLIES
We provide toys and a play area but you’re asked to bring your own diapers and wipes as required! Events are always held at venues with baby change facilities on site in a gender neutral washroom.

2) STROLL ON OVER

Dress code is baby casual, come as you are and bring your baby carriers or strollers if needed. The buildings I use have accessible doors, a sidewalk (in winter there may be snow but it is usually cleared by the city) and elevator!

3) NAVIGATE TO THE TRAINING ROOM

Detailed room directions, public transit and parking instructions are provided on the event listing and in attendee emails distributed in advance. We also provide wayfinding signage around the venue on the day. If you get lost, you can always ask a venue staff member and/or reception to assist you. 

4) REGISTER YOURSELF + YOUR KIDS

Don’t worry about printing the tickets! We know you’ll have your hands full already so confirm your name(s) at the door and fill out our event photography form when you arrive. All parents and/or guardians must remain on site at the event venue with their children at all times as we are not providing on-site childcare services.

5) GRAB A BITE + GET SETTLED

Continental breakfast food and refreshments will be provided. If you or your child is partial to certain snacks, please bring what you need and note there are usually cafés on site or within walking distance. We will provide toys and a play area but please bring your own diapers and wipes as required!

6) ENGAGE + ENJOY!

Mix, mingle, share stories, ask questions, play with your kids, make new friends and have fun! This is all about bringing like-minded people (who also happen to be parents) together in an inclusive environment to discuss building businesses and real-life parenthood…IRL. No pressure, tech savvy or unicorn startup ambitions required. Just honest to goodness conversation, creativity, community (and coffee).

MORE BURNING QUESTIONS!?

If you have specific things you want the speakers to address, let me know or simply bring your questions with you to ask on the day! 

If I’ve missed anything, please comment on this post or contact me via the online form on my website here.

Sending you a virtual cup of coffee + parenting solidarity.

Hope to see you soon!

Amy (+ family)

REGISTRATION CLOSES ON FEBRUARY 13th AT 8 A.M. for the next Babies, Business + Breakfast February 2020 Pop-Up Event on Friday, February 14th!

RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY for the Babies, Business + Breakfast March 2020 Pop-Up Event on Tuesday, March 31st!

Getting our ‘Babies, Business + Breakfast’ newsletter yet? 

Sign up here —> http://bit.ly/BabiesBizBreakfast

Learn more about Babies, Business + Breakfast™.

Flexible + Remote Work Resources For You:

FREE Digital Resources, Templates + Guides

• Template – Remote Work (With Kids) Time Blocking Made Easy [LEARN MORE]
• Guide – Babies + Business Mini Guide To Navigating The Corporate Jungle (With Kids) [LEARN MORE]

You can also follow my parenthood + professional development adventures on Instagram and via my previous blog posts.