What to Expect When You’re Expecting

6 months into marriage I was nauseous and tired refusing to believe the impossible. But, it was .01% possible. And that percentage brought our first child into the world, sharing his first room with an IUD. 

Still, we had 7.5 months left to “prepare” ourselves for parenthood, and one year later we were planning another baby. 

He rocked our world. To the core. 

Apparently, you can survive over a year without sleep. But barely. Just barely.

Building a business did not come with 9 months of expecting. We did not really even plan it. We just woke up one day and started a business. 

And there we were. New parents. Again.

Now, five months postpartum, I’m beginning to see what no one warned us about. Here are the top five things to expect when you're expecting a business:

1. Sleepless Nights
   You thought you were done with all-nighters after college or when your baby finally started sleeping? Think again! Those late-night brainstorming sessions morph into existential crises, forcing you to question every life choice you’ve ever made.

2. The Emotional Roller Coaster
   The highs and lows of parenthood echo in entrepreneurship. You’ll experience euphoric moments—like your baby’s first smile or landing your first client—followed by sobbing on the floor, wondering if you’ve ruined everything.

3. Endless Advice from Strangers
   Just like the unsolicited parenting advice from random strangers—“Isn’t he cold without a blanket?” “Is your child chewing a stick???”—business advice is everywhere. Everyone has an opinion on what you should be doing or whether starting a business is even wise at all.

4. The Shrinking Capacity
   Most parents realize they can't do it all, especially after having a second child. You’ll find yourself saying “no” more often, even if it just means binge-watching How I Met Your Mother for the fourth time. And wondering why people are inviting you out instead of bringing you dinner. Remember that starting a business does not come with a cute baby in a carseat. Others do not always realize how far stretched you feel.

5. The Sense of Community
   But just as The Parent Club is real, and so is the camaraderie among entrepreneurs. Conversations become about sleepless nights and shared struggles, creating bonds with those who understand. Even if not everyone understands what you’re going through, there are those who do and the bonds you form can be deep.

Bonus: It’s Worth It

I know we are only 5 months in, but both Abram and I come from entrepreneurial backgrounds with parents who put it all on the line to start businesses. And while we were too young to expect some of the surprises that the choice holds, we both experienced the treasures that can be reaped from sticking with it. We now know that we have treat ourselves like postpartum parents just surviving the first year of our new baby’s, er business’, life, but as we look at our own adorable children growing before our very eyes, we know what we’re building is special.