Why Start-Ups Are Great For Working Mothers

For me, it's all about the "F" word ---- Flexibility! I am a single mom of two young children and I thank God every day that I work at a start-up, and in particular, at Simply Hired. The Simply Hired Founders have made it a priority to create a culture that promotes flexibility, creativity, and fun!

Let's face it, work is a necessity for most of us, and whether you work at a start-up or a Fortune 500 Company, the pressure "to do more with less" is present now more than ever! With the constant corporate demands to out-perform last year, last month, last week - forget about trying to keep up with the Jones, we are all just trying to keep up with our own children! As for me personally, spending time with my children is the most important priority in my life and by working at Simply Hired - this is possible.

Some people avoid start-ups, stating it is too risky or too many hours. Well, I am here to counter that argument, with the known fact that "job security" is a thing of the past - no matter what size the company (unless you are a funeral director and then I guess it is pretty certain that you will always have business). Speaking from experience, any size company can demand long hours, but being a manager in a large company typically dictates a schedule of endless mandatory meetings where a start-up typically tries to avoid long meetings because the meeting attendees are also the ones getting the work done! :-)

I head up the Simply Hired sales team and I spend a lot of time on the phone, and since we live in a hyper-mobile society where the work/home boundaries are pretty much non-existent, my job can be done from anywhere. So after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays while I am coaching my seven year old's soccer team or while I am chaperoning my five year old's pumpkin patch field trip - I never miss a call! Many of our clients are on the East Coast and I am a morning person, so it works out great that Simply Hired has set me up with the latest technology and tools to work V.O. (virtual office) and I am energized to get 2-3 hours of work done before most West Coast people even turn the lights on at work. At times, I need to go back to the office at night or on weekends for a user group session, customer event or to catch up on work and my kids love tagging along to see what new snacks are in the kitchen or new games are on the shelves!

Another main reason I enjoy working at Simply Hired is the other "F" word ---- Fun! I have made incredible friendships at Simply Hired and it is primarily due to the continuous teambuilding activities, events, training sessions, etc. that are embodied into the Simply Hired culture. For example, last week I enjoyed Wafflemania one day, tye-dying class another and ended the week with the Simply Hired Olympics! It's True! I am sure most people have already stopped reading this post to go check out what openings we have, but if you are still reading, please finish, and then check us out at www.simplyhired.com, as it is an awesome place to work and we are hiring! :) I physically, mentally and emotionally love to exercise, but as a single mom, it is virtually impossible, so I am thankful that Simply Hired cares so much about the health and well-being of its employees that every week I look forward to attempting the eagle pose at the Bikram Yoga class lead by Michelle, a first class instructor, right in our own offices. It you have to work - why not find a place that makes it fun!

The phone is ringing and it's time to close some business so I must run, but I encourage everyone, especially working moms, to select a job that matches your own skills, interests and abilities and then select a company that supports a culture that fits your lifestyle. Remember - start-ups typically offer working moms more flexibility and fun which are essential ingredients to succeeding in the workplace while maintaining the family life balance!

Carpe Diem!