Kristin Marquet is the owner and creative director of the award-winning, New York-based PR firm, Marquet Media, LLC.
Running multiple companies is demanding, and running multiple companies while raising an infant without childcare? It’s a whole different level of strategic discipline.
Over the last year, I’ve balanced growing three businesses while raising my son full-time during his first year of life. No nanny, no daycare, no full-time support. Just me, my partner, and a clear commitment to redefining how success can look in this season of life.
This chapter has taught me what other founders can take away when navigating business growth under unconventional (often invisible) constraints.
1. Constraint Creates Clarity
With limited hours in the day—often in the form of nap windows, early mornings, and post-bedtime sprints—I had no choice but to prioritize what drives growth. This meant cutting out vanity metrics, busywork, and over-complicated launch strategies. I now make decisions based on one core filter:
Does this move the business forward in revenue, visibility, or innovation?
I learned to test quickly, double down on what works, and move on from what doesn’t work. The result? A leaner, smarter operating model that’s more sustainable and profitable.
2. Systems Are the New Hustle
I don’t have time for disorganized workflows or guesswork. Every process in my business—from client onboarding to content creation—is templatized, automated, or streamlined.
I use tools like Notion for content planning, Kajabi for digital product sales, Pinterest for passive traffic, and a monthly analytics dashboard to track performance across all platforms. If a task can’t be systematized or aligned with our current priorities, it’s deferred or cut. This level of operational clarity has helped me scale digital products—without needing to be “on” 24/7.
3. Redefining Productivity in 90-Minute Blocks
I used to measure productivity in 10-hour stretches and aggressive to-do lists. Now, I measure it in 90-minute blocks of deep, focused work. Whether refining a brand strategy, building a new product, or analyzing a PR framework, I go all in for short, structured sprints and let the rest go.
This has forced me to become radically intentional. I don’t multitask or context-switch unnecessarily, and I no longer confuse “being busy” with being effective.
4. Authentic Leadership Starts at Home
Becoming a mother shifted my entire approach to leadership. It’s no longer about performance—it’s about presence and availability. Whether leading a strategy call, creating a client brand framework, or holding my son through a teething meltdown, I bring the same clarity, empathy, and steadiness.
This season has taught me that leadership doesn’t always involve being the loudest voice in the room. Sometimes, it involves quietly rebuilding from the inside out, showing up for both your business and your child—even when no one sees it.
5. You Don’t Need to Choose—But You Do Need to Edit
There’s a persistent myth that you can’t be a fully present parent and committed entrepreneur. I’ve found the opposite true—you can do both, but not the way everyone else does.
You must edit your business model, refine your priorities, and be honest about your capacity. I’m not chasing a packed calendar or 7-figure launches right now. I’m focused on building lasting value: strategic frameworks, evergreen digital products, high-impact client relationships, and a brand legacy that honors my ambition and role as a mother.
This Isn’t a Step Back—It’s a Rebuild on Higher Ground
Running multiple brands without childcare has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done—but also one of the most clarifying. It forced me to lead with strategy, focus on what matters, and rebuild my businesses around a version of success that’s aligned, intentional, and built for longevity.
I believe more founders—especially women—should feel empowered to do the same, even if it looks different from the mainstream path. You don’t have to sacrifice your business to be a present parent; you have to lead it differently.