She Strengthens

The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint: Time Management Strategies from Successful Women

When we think of entrepreneurs, we often imagine a life of freedom and flexibility. However, the reality is that running a business requires a tremendous amount of energy, dedication, and responsibility. As a former freelancer, I can attest to the fact that being your own boss means taking on multiple roles, from marketing and bookkeeping to office management and administrative tasks.

The Challenges of Entrepreneurship

According to a 2018 study by 99Designs, women entrepreneurs face significant obstacles, including limited access to funding and longer working hours. Despite these challenges, the number of women-owned businesses has increased by 114% between 1997 and 2017. To succeed, women entrepreneurs must be skilled time managers, prioritizing tasks, and making the most of their time.

Time Management Tips from Women Entrepreneurs

We partnered with M&T Bank to speak with 13 successful female entrepreneurs about their time management strategies. Here’s what they had to say:

Prioritizing Tasks

• Jamie Lieberman, Founder of Hashtag Legal, uses a “no” filter to prioritize tasks, ensuring she’s choosy about commitments and confident in her decisions.
• Heather Vreeland, Owner of Hopefuel, uses a planner to track milestones and batch tasks into income-producing, administrative, and family to-dos.

Scheduling and Routine

• Dr. Ashley Paré, Founder of Shoreline Smiles, dedicates mornings and evenings to family time, maintaining a strict schedule to ensure work-life balance.
• Sabine Josephs, Resumes for Women, sets a daily reminder to stay motivated and focused on her goals.

Productivity Hacks

• Lisa Tadewaldt, Owner of Urban Forest Pro, tackles difficult tasks first thing in the morning to ensure progress and momentum.
• Katherine Adams, Founder of Creative Legacy Group, emphasizes the importance of following a system to stay on track and avoid reinventing the wheel.

Self-Care and Development

• Tabitha Britt, Founding Editor-in-Chief of DO YOU ENDO, uses the Pomodoro method to balance work and sleep.
• Mariah Heller, CMT, CPT, Owner of Pain-Free Fitness, prioritizes self-development through reading and completing one task per day that moves her closer to her goals.

Email Management and Organization

• Courtney Barbee, Co-owner/COO at The Bookkeeper, sets aside 15 minutes each morning to manage her inbox and organize her day.
• Nadia Vassell, Celeb Hairstylist and Owner of Nadia Vassell Salon, uses an online booking system and outsources web development to free up time for other business activities.

Business Habits and Relationships

• Paula Conway, President of Astonish Media Group, swears by list-making and continuous learning to stay on track and capitalize on opportunities.
• Lori Cheek, Founder/CEO of Cheekd, schedules everything, including small tasks, and prioritizes her day’s to-do list.
• Katharine Phillips, Katharine Phillips Design, practices daily relationship-building by touching base with clients or new connections.

By implementing these time management strategies, women entrepreneurs can overcome the challenges of running a business and achieve their goals. To learn more about how M&T Bank can help you reach your savings goals, visit their website or a branch near you.