For many female founders and small business owners, the decision to start a family comes with an overwhelming challenge: How do you take maternity leave without sacrificing the business you’ve worked so hard to build?
Unlike traditional employees who may have access to paid maternity leave and structured support systems, self-employed women often face a stark reality - stepping away from their business could mean losing clients, revenue, and momentum - potentially even losing the business completely.
The Lack of Support for Self-Employed Women
The entrepreneurial world celebrates independence and resilience, but it often overlooks the reality that women business owners don’t have the same safety nets as corporate employees. When you’re the CEO, marketing director, customer service rep, and operations manager all in one, who steps in when you need time off?
While some business owners try to "prepare" by stockpiling savings, automating systems, or working overtime before the baby arrives, the truth is: this isn’t sustainable and isn’t always possible. The absence of a proper support system forces many female founders to choose between growing their family or growing their business.
Why Female Founders Deserve a Better Solution
Women should not have to choose between motherhood and business success. I want to create a CEO Stand-In because I believe female founders deserve better support during pivotal life moments like maternity leave. No woman should have to watch her business suffer because she wants to take time off to have a baby. I’ve seen firsthand how self-employed women struggle with this impossible choice, and I know there has to be a better way.
That’s why this service is designed to be a lifeline for female entrepreneurs, allowing them to step away with confidence, knowing their business is in safe hands. I want to empower women to build successful businesses without feeling like they have to sacrifice their dreams of motherhood. The CEO Stand-In could offer a personalised, hands-on approach to running your business while you take time to recover and bond with your baby—without the fear of losing everything you’ve built.
How A CEO Stand-In Would Work
Imagine being able to step away for a few months, knowing your business is in good hands. We would work with you in the months leading up to your maternity leave to fully understand your business—essentially, we would learn how to be you. During this training phase, we’ll dive deep into your processes, client relationships, and daily operations, ensuring a seamless transition when the time comes.
Once your baby arrives, we then would continue to provide ongoing support, including weekly check-in calls to keep you updated on your business while giving you the space to focus on your family.
We would also take over critical tasks that can be overwhelming during this time, such as managing your inbox and handling all enquiries—because the last thing you want to worry about after having a baby is responding to emails.
Here’s what else we could offer:
Customized Business Coverage: Whether you run a creative agency, e-commerce store, consultancy, or service-based business, a CEO stand-in can oversee day-to-day operations tailored to your needs.
Client & Project Management: Ensuring existing clients are taken care of, new leads are responded to, and ongoing projects stay on track.
Marketing & Content Maintenance: Keeping social media, email marketing, and customer engagement consistent so your brand stays visible.
Revenue Protection & Growth: Managing sales funnels, online orders, and other revenue streams so income doesn’t take a hit.
Smooth Transition Back to Work: When you're ready to return, you’ll step back into a thriving business instead of one that needs rescuing.
Empowering Female Entrepreneurs
With a CEO stand-in, women don’t have to choose between their business and family. They can have both. By offering strategic support, business continuity, and seamless operations, this service would ensure that women can embrace motherhood without sacrificing their entrepreneurial dreams.
It’s Time for a Change
The conversation around maternity leave and entrepreneurship needs to shift. Female founders deserve the right to build both a thriving business and a fulfilling family life. With the right support, taking maternity leave doesn’t have to mean stepping away forever—it can be a temporary shift that ultimately strengthens both personal and professional growth.
Let’s start redefining what’s possible for women in business. Would you consider using a service like this? Let’s chat!
L x
Creative Founder, Kelp Collective
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