How This Mum Juggles Three Kids, Two Businesses And Still Has Time To Publish A Book

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“Oh my god, I’m her whole world.”

Those were Michelle Hon’s first thoughts when she first set eyes on tiny Lauren, her firstborn. Fear, apprehension, joy all combined into one giant groundswell of emotion.

When Michelle gave birth to her first daughter six years ago, motherhood simply overwhelmed her. She underestimated how hard the adjustment would be and desperately wished for a role model or anyone to turn to for advice. This, after she lost her own mother to asthma when she was only 13.

"I wanted to document my motherhood journey for my daughters when their time came."

“I heard the symptoms you go through are similar to what your own mother would have been through. I wanted to document my motherhood journey for my daughters when their time came,” says the Malaysia-born former model.

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How It All Started

Not wanting her daughters to struggle the same way she had without help or advice, Michelle started her own parenting blog, “The Chill Mom” in 2013, as a kind of maternal heirloom for her daughters.

The blog, which contains practical advice for first-time mums as well as covers a range of post-partum related concerns, quickly gained traction.

“More people started coming to me for advice on preparing for pregnancy,” says Michelle who, true to her blog and Instagram handle “The Chill Mom”, had a relaxed vibe throughout this hour-long interview at her spacious apartment near Haji Lane.

“It was a place for me to document my journey of motherhood, but it caught the attention of brands who started reaching out to me to collaborate,” she shares, even as she ruled the roost over her three kids – Lauren, 6, Georgia, 4, and Will, 2.

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READ MORE: What No One Tells You About Being A Mummy Blogger In Singapore

At the time, motherhood and parenting blogs were still generally niche and the information was useful to her audience of first-time mothers like herself.

Soon, Michelle's friends and readers started reaching out to ask post-partum related questions or how to prepare for an upcoming pregnancy. “The Chill Mom”, as she is known to her 76,000 Instagram followers, gradually began eating up more of her time. That’s when she launched her maternity concierge business, which aims to understand a couple’s parental aspirations, before helping them prepare for this major lifestyle change.

Shortly after, she also decided to write a book named after her site “The Chill Mom”, published last year, to appeal to a wider audience.

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How She Stays On Top Of Her Game

Before she had her firstborn Lauren, Michelle was managing 13 hours a day running her F&B business. She left the business to be a stay-at-home mom, but the entrepreneurial itch soon got to her a short 6 months after.

Despite being a busy mother of three young children, she firmly believes it’s possible to juggle a business and motherhood.

“Many people ask me how I fit everything into a day. It’s really simple. I schedule everything into my calendar. If it’s not there, it doesn’t get done. I even schedule time for myself. I’m really strict about getting things on my calendar done.”

"I’m really strict about getting things on my calendar done."

Besides that, Michelle, who is married to an entrepreneur, attributes the ease of being both a mom and business owner to apps that help her manage finances and schedules.

“It’s definitely a lot easier now than 10 years ago. That’s because there are so many apps out there that can help us manage our finances and schedules. For example, I used to pay a supplier via cheque or cash. These days, you can easily do a quick Paylah or online bank transfer. It’s just been really helpful to just have these apps and technology at our fingertips.”

Are there any challenges or struggles in having to do so many things?

“Definitely a lack of time,” said the mum-preneur blessed with flawless skin. “As we grow, whether as a business partner or mom, or friend, we always come across new challenges or new skills that we may not have yet. But, I do feel like everything is ‘figure-out-able’ and teachable,” said the ever-positive Michelle.

After three kids, two businesses and one book, the industrious woman is set to launch her new venture: a mumpreneur mentorship programme to “help stay-at-home moms start their own lifestyle businesses”.

“I believe that women these days have a lot to offer and with the right knowledge and support, they really can have it all”.

Get connected with other mums by joining our Facebook group here!

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A version of this post first appeared on Singsaver.