Women's Equality Day is on August 26. In 1973, Congress designated the day to commemorate the August 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote. Today, it's a symbol of the long way women have come, and the exciting road ahead. To celebrate, I talked to the women (and one entrepreneurial 9-year-old girl) behind mother-daughter businesses.
While moms and daughters have certainly worked together throughout the ages, at this time in history they have the resources and freedoms to accomplish much more than ever before. The following inspiring mother-daughter businesses are making a difference together.
Personal Development and Coaching
Run by mom, Yvonne Williams-McMillan, and daughter, Erika Danina Williams, Color Your World Personal Development & Coaching inspires and instructs women on how to improve their lives and achieve their goals through the principles of leadership and entrepreneurial development.
“I started as a small coaching practice with the mission and vision to help women live colorful, vibrant lives and feel in charge personally and professionally," says Williams-McMillan.
“Then, in 2017, it became clear that the business landscape was rapidly evolving," she continues. “With the turbulence resulting from the many controversies rocking nearly every industry, I saw it as a crucial time for women to embrace leadership and entrepreneurship in order to enrich lives and contribute to the betterment of society."
That led Williams-McMillan to ask her daughter, Erika, for advice and assistance.
Yvonne Williams-McMillan, and daughter, Erika Danina Williams
“Erika was personally experiencing many of the challenges women face in climbing the corporate ladder," she says. “As a result, she was able to help pinpoint the relevant issues, narrow the focus of the practice and move us to a digital format and online platform."
Williams welcomed pivoting in terms of her career and starting a mother-daughter business.
“I was excited with the opportunity that my mother offered, so I stepped away from a career in private banking and investment management to come onboard full-time," she says. “All of the career coaching she gave me over the years, such as dealing with the imposter syndrome and striving for the work/life balance, were topics I could passionately get behind."
As many mother-daughter business owners discover, knowing each other well has its benefits.
—Pia Donovan, business partner, Greatness Journey
“My mom can sense when I'm on a roll or when I'm stressing out and procrastinating, which usually means I'm less confident," says Williams. “The deep level of trust between the two of us allows us to speak openly and honestly about how we feel. We rely on one another to overcome most of the obstacles we face each day."
According to Williams-McMillan, their mother-daughter business partnership also works because of their love, respect and trust for one another.
“These qualities will help you enjoy running a business together and weather any difficult times," she says.
Empowering Children
When January Donovan's book, This Is Me, The Me I Choose To Be, became a bestseller recently, her 9-year-old daughter and business partner, Pia Donovan, cried with happiness.
“My mom and I recite our affirmations every day, and I believe you can do anything you put your mind to," says Pia, who is currently co-authoring another book with her mom on women's standards of beauty.
Book writing is a part of the Donovan's mother-daughter business Greatness Journey, an online mindset/skill set resource for parents who want to raise children to live the life of their dreams and impact the world.
January and Pia Donovan
“Greatness Journey came out of my realization that many adults spend decades unlearning limiting mindsets that hold them back," says Donovan. “I wanted to save my children the heartache and headache of decades of conditioning by giving them a head start in being intentional about pursuing their dreams."
When Donovan founded the company in January 2018, Pia pointed out that her friends weren't getting the benefit of such training, so she decided to collaborate with her mom and share insights with other children on their kids teaching kids blog.
“The best part about working as a mother-daughter business team is that I get to show Pia how to be an entrepreneur," says Donovan. “She feels empowered when we sit down for a business meeting. She learns to plan, lead a team, learn marketing and sales skills and see that failure is a part of the journey. Her mindset amazes me. It took me decades to be where she is now—free to dream, fail and learn."
For Pia, the best part of working with her mom is spending time with her.
“I get to enjoy the process," says Pia, who has her own set of tips for successful mother-daughter business ventures.
“Follow your heart, and do something other people aren't doing," advises Pia. “Also plan ahead and never give up on your dreams. Live in your imagination, because you have to create things in your mind first. Don't think you can't start a business, because you are little. You can."
Therapeutic Counseling
Groundwork Counseling isn't the first venture of mother-daughter business owners Marion Rodrigue and Courtney Rodrigue Hubscher.
“Courtney and I have worked together since she was very young," says Rodrigue. “Courtney worked right by my side on our farm, riding, training and showing ponies and horses that I sold on the hunter circuit. Working together has been a way of life for us."
That experience of working together made it easy for the mother and daughter to partner in 2013 and establish a boutique counseling practice. The duo discovered that they both shared a vision to provide specialized, therapeutic services with a personalized approach.
For Rodrigue and Hubscher there are several benefits to partnering as a mother-daughter business.
Marion Rodrigue and Courtney Rodrigue Hubscher
“The biggest benefit of working together is that we understand one another extremely well, including our strengths and weaknesses," says Hubscher. “We also understand each other's lives outside of the office, which helps us support each other and share responsibilities accordingly."
For Rodrigue, the benefits of working as a mother-daughter team include “spending time together and pursuing a common passion and similar goals. Sharing ideas and relying on each other's skill sets helps us to run a more effective and successful company."
To other mother-daughter business teams, Hubscher and Rodrigue suggest taking time outside of the business to maintain a strong and healthy relationship.
“In addition to traveling for professional conferences each year, we also choose to take at least two vacations together annually, not involving business," says Hubscher.
Rodrigue agrees.
“In my opinion, it's essential to have time together that is not spent talking about the business, but instead enjoying each other's company and valuing family time."
Mutual respect is also critical for mother-daughter business partnerships, believes Rodrigue.
“Working together can be a rewarding experience and enrich an already strong bond," she says. “However, I would caution family members who don't easily get along to think long and hard before starting a business together. If the relationship lacks respect, trust and friendship, problems will likely spill over into the business. It's important to remember that family always comes before business."
Read more articles on building your team.
