As a mompreneur, setting up several companies: tips and experiences

Gabrielle Cacciatore-von Mandach is a passionate professional woman and visionary, as well as co-author of “Ways to Success Vol. 1 CH”. She worked as a physiotherapist for 30 years with her own practices and as a hippotherapist (physiotherapy on horseback), and for over 10 years as a nutrition coach. She has founded multiple companies, has been working in a leading role at a medical center for 18 years and is the founder of the womenbiz portal (2013). Gabrielle Cacciatore-von Mandach has been married for 30 years and is the mother of two adult sons. Her passion and vision is to use the womenbiz portal to help women throughout Switzerland and around the world to and to pave the way for them to increase their success by focusing on their potential and utilizing synergies with each other or with partners from the womenbiz environment, and to jointly achieve a leverage effect on their environment, economy and society.

I have founded various companies, from physiotherapy practices at several locations to nutrition coaching and a portal for the promotion and support of women-owned companies.

The following seven reasons were the focus for all start-ups:

1. I wanted to organize my own working hours. I wanted to make my own decisions
2. I wanted to determine the values that are lived in the company
3. I wanted to define and shape communication in the company, in the team and in dealing with customers and partners
4. I wanted to have the chance to create jobs for others and thus income opportunities with my company
5. I wanted to fulfill my absolute desire to optimally combine work and family
6. I wanted to be able to implement my visions and goals and not be held back by anyone
   

You should focus on your potential and delegate the rest. This means being clear about what is important to you and where your potential and passion lie. Then it's time to implement. Find people who can relieve you of private or professional matters, support you or with whom you can use synergies. You can find a lot of inspiration and committed businesswomen on womenbiz.

My fears were primarily financial. That's why, before becoming self-employed for the first time, I first saved up enough financial resources and then started out working 20% as a self-employed physiotherapist. When this went well and I had saved even more in the meantime, I went fully self-employed as a physiotherapist.

When it came to expenses, such as setting up the physiotherapy practice, I paid attention to a good price-performance ratio. It should be functional, of good quality and nicely furnished, but still cost-effective.

With each subsequent new start-up, it was as important to me as with the first one to start from a minimum financial security. This means saving enough funds in advance or having another existing, secure source of income. This saved me a lot of stress and the customers felt that they were welcome as individuals and not primarily because they brought in money. This encouraged them, among other things, to recommend me to others and I never once had to do any acquisition.

1. Discuss your professional goals/visions and their possible consequences for your family with your partner and children.
2. Simplify your household and get help with cleaning, shopping and errands.
3. Use synergies with neighbors or friends, such as- taking turns babysitting- planning meals together to save time cooking,- cooking double quantities and freezing menus,- reducing shopping to weekly shop ( e.g. get another fridge in the cellar) – Look for a weekly au pair or young helper to take on smaller household tasks (mowing the lawn / watering plants) – Discuss trips to children's leisure activities and divide them up between you
4. Take your professional network seriously: Make enough time to build, expand and maintain your professional network.
5. Dare to step out of your comfort zone every now and then; it will give you experience and boost your self-confidence.Surround yourself with people who are well-meaning and supportive and encourage you.
6. Be open to opportunities that arise and make your decisions calmly but quickly.
7. You can be imperfect sometimes, as long as the quality is right.
8. Always be honest with others and with yourself.And last but not least, one of my favorite sayings: Success is an attitude!

Stay calm if something doesn't work out and be happy about your past successes.

I sincerely wish you success and will be happy to support you if you need me! Gabrielle Cacciatore-von Mandach

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