Building Confidence and Clarity: A guide for mums ready to reclaim their path

By Francesca Hodgson, Professional and Personal Coach and Business Mentor at www.weareambition.ventures 

Written exclusively for Mums Who Build (The MOB).

Hello Mobsters,

Are you building a business, thinking of building a business, considering a career move or just wanting a brain break from mummy life? In any scenario we’ve got a blog to inspire you and provide practical tips and knowledge to help you discover what really matters to you and how to start a business. 

Hi, I am Francesca Hodsgon, Founder of  We are Ambition and mum to Oliver and Harry who are now 11 and 7. I am an exited tech founder on a mission to help millions of people find mental clarity and to inspire and support business leaders of the future.

It's a pleasure to be a guest writer and resident business coach for the MOB.

So where do we start? We start with YOU. Maybe you want to build a business or maybe business is the last thing on your mind but either way, understanding you, building your self awareness is going to help you build and develop life’s secret ingredient……CONFIDENCE.

My personal experience of being a parent is that it’s like my brain was chucked into a washing machine and what survived survived and the rest, well it went to mush! 

Everything changes for us when we are given the most important, high stakes job of our lives…the responsibility for another human being. The importance of this role and how incredible we are as parents is not to be underestimated.

The skills we learn in parenting are entirely transferable to the world of business and beyond…resilience, negotiation, leadership, problem solving….the works, whether you are conscious of this or not, the learning journey is immense. 

Often motherhood is a time where we are left to reinvent ourselves, because childcare is expensive, 25 days annual leave doesn’t match the school holidays of 60 days and we are tired of juggling. That’s not to say men are not in the same boat but often it's us women who pick up the pieces as it's our bodies and our careers that take the majority of the impact.

With every cloud there is opportunity!

I met my first business partner through an NCT meet up.

I met lifelong friends.

I had to work hard to change my career to support my family life. Was it easy? no, was it worth it? Sometimes. Have I learned and grown as a person? 100% yes!

Back to business

In a period of transition, the main focus has to be you. Whether you are building a business or not. 

Where I like to start: MAPPING YOUR VALUES

Understanding what’s important to you is a great place to start. I’ve helped many people with this exact same process, and guess what you can do it for free.

Step one: List your values, get clear on what matters to you

Write a list of your values, what is important to you? Friends, Family, Honesty, Financial Independence, Creativity, Stability, Health?

Take your time with this—think about what truly matters to you, not just what sounds good on paper. Your values act as your internal compass; they guide your decisions, your priorities, and the way you navigate life's transitions. Once you have a list, prioritise them in order of importance. Ask yourself: Which of these values feel non-negotiable? Which ones resonate the most deeply?

Step two: Evaluate how you spend your time

Now, let’s look at where your time actually goes. Do your daily activities and commitments align with these values? This step often reveals where we’re out of sync and can provide a powerful ‘aha’ moment. If you value family but find you’re always caught up in work, maybe it’s time to reassess your balance.

Journaling this can be helpful—whether you’re jotting down thoughts on your phone, using a Google Doc, or keeping a paper journal. Getting your thoughts out of your head and into the open can give you clarity and focus.

Step three: Set clear, achievable goals

With a solid understanding of your values, it’s easier to set meaningful goals. These don’t have to be grand or earth-shattering. Sometimes, a simple goal, like clearing out your wardrobe, or tidying up your space can make a world of difference

Step four: Embrace change

Life is unpredictable—especially with little ones around. If you need to tweak your goals or your approach, that’s okay! Change is part of the journey. Remember, building a business (or a new career) is a marathon, not a sprint.

Connecting back to your career or business journey

Once you have a foundation built on your values and goals, the path forward becomes much clearer. When you understand what truly matters to you, the “how” and “why” of business or career moves come into sharper focus. This clarity can help you make decisions with confidence, lead with authenticity, and maintain resilience in the face of challenges.

If you’re considering starting a business, think about how your values can shape your business. Many of the most successful entrepreneurs are those who bring a bit of themselves into their work, creating brands that resonate because they’re built on authenticity and purpose.

Remember: Progress over perfection

Whether you're a full-time mum, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a career-changer, don’t aim for perfection—aim for progress. Every small step you take is bringing you closer to a life that aligns with your core values and dreams. Be kind to yourself, celebrate small wins, and keep moving forward.

Final thoughts

Life has its messiness, its unpredictabilities, and its challenges. But with self-awareness and a clear sense of purpose, you’ll find that you’re better equipped to handle whatever comes your way. Embrace this journey. Enjoy the process of discovering what matters to you, and let that be the foundation for whatever comes next—whether it’s building a business, making a career leap, or just finding more joy in the everyday.

Thanks for reading, Mobsters! Let’s go build something amazing—together.

Next week we’ll be talking about the importance of vision and personal brand and how this can help you to move forward in business and or life.

Until then I’ve popped a couple of recommendations to inspirational reads or listens. 

Be fabulous, be confident, be you.

Weekly recommendations

Favorite listen: Diary of a CEO with Arianna Huffington: Favourite Episode Quote Q.“can women have it all?” A. “Yes, just not at the same time.” https://open.spotify.com/episode/4LHxD5stfRk4IBTFUKZ0yJ?si=454f592b94cb4b80 

Favourite Read (also available on audible for MOB’s on the go!): Shoe Dog, the story of Nike by Phil Knight