"How I'm Preparing My Business for Maternity Leave as a Solo Entrepreneur"
“I’m Pregnant!…and I just quit my stable income job?”
A few months ago, my husband and I made a big move—from the high-cost hustle of Southern California back to my hometown of Boca Raton, Florida.
When we found out we were pregnant in January 2025, everything changed.
As a new entrepreneur still finding my footing and seeing little return on investment, we knew we had to make some serious lifestyle shifts to prepare for our baby—and for the exciting journey ahead as new parents.
Planning is my superpower, so we dove headfirst into financial, emotional, and spiritual preparation. And just when we needed it most, a beautiful opportunity opened up—an affordable, welcoming new chapter right here in Boca Raton.
Making the move wasn’t just about location; it was about creating space for our family and my business to thrive. To put it into perspective: this move will save us around $3,500 every month, as well as allow our family to grow with a support system that they otherwise would not have had in California. That’s a game-changer!
For fellow small business owners, web designers, and work-from-home or soon-to-be moms, this kind of financial freedom is exactly the kind of support you want when juggling business growth and preparing for maternity leave.
…embracing imperfection + Flexibility
And just like that, we took the leap—my husband and I both left our full-time jobs in California, stepping into a new season fueled by faith and a vision for something greater. We made the move with trust in God's provision and the peace of knowing that three potential job opportunities were lined up for my husband, set to begin within a few months of our arrival in Florida.
This transition wouldn't have been possible without preparation. One of the smartest things we did before quitting our jobs was building a "Supplemental Fund"—a dedicated savings cushion designed for times like this. Whether you're planning to leave a job, launch a business, or just want peace of mind for the unexpected, I highly recommend setting aside at least 3–6 months' worth of living expenses. It’s a game-changer for navigating big life changes with more confidence and less stress.
From April - June 2025, we relied on our Supplemental Fund to cover most of our expenses, along with a small but steady trickle of income from both of our growing small businesses.
It wasn’t much—just enough to encourage us that we were heading in the right direction and
laying the foundation for something sustainable.
We were also incredibly grateful to be living with my parents during this season. While it wasn’t the most “ideal” setup, it turned out to be a huge financial relief—one we hadn’t anticipated but deeply appreciated.
As a brand-new entrepreneur still figuring out how to build consistent income—and preparing for maternity leave with a baby on the way—this living arrangement gave us the space and stability we needed to breathe, plan, and take intentional next steps in our business and family life.
step 1: reviewing workload + services
What I Paused:
Before leaving California, my husband and I had been running a YouTube channel for nearly a year. We loved the creative outlet and the opportunity to document different seasons of our life, especially as we stepped into marriage and entrepreneurship. It was fulfilling in so many ways and allowed me to tap into my interest in creativity and content creation.
But as the reality of growing our small businesses—and a baby on the way—set in, we had to make some tough decisions.
Our channel was still very small and not yet monetized, and with the time investment required for filming, editing, and publishing each week, we decided to pause YouTube to focus our energy on building more immediate, income-generating areas of our business.
What I Scaled Back:
One of those shifts involved my web design services. While my long-term goal is to work with 8–12 design clients per year, I decided to temporarily shift my focus to a 30% client work, 70% template shop model. Right now, the majority of my income still comes from custom client projects—which is totally normal in the early stages—but my bigger vision is to build sustainable, passive income through my Squarespace template shop.
That way, when the baby arrives, I can continue generating revenue—
even while soaking up those first few sleep-deprived, newborn-filled months of motherhood.
What I Automated:
You’ve probably heard of Client Relationship Management tools (CRMs) — those powerful (and occasionally overwhelming) platforms that help you automate parts of your business when someone expresses interest, like filling out an inquiry form or booking a consultation. I started setting mine up early in my business journey, but as I prepare for maternity leave, I’ve realized just how essential it is to have these systems fully running.
Automations like email responses and meeting scheduling will keep things moving even while I step away.
CRMs can also handle proposals, invoices, questionnaires, and other key client touchpoints that help streamline your workflow. Personally, I use HoneyBook — and I’ve even set it up for a few of my clients. If you’re curious about trying HoneyBook for yourself, I’ve got a 30% off discount code you can use! Just follow the link here!
Step 2: Creating passive income plans
Digital Products:
As I mentioned earlier, my current business model is intentionally shifting to about 30% client work and 70% template-based income. With a newborn on the way and an unpredictable maternity leave ahead, I know I won’t be able to take on as many custom projects in those first few months — and that’s okay! As a new mom and solopreneur, I have no idea exactly how much time I’ll need to fully step away (does anyone ever really know?), so I’m doing what I can now to prepare my Template Shop to help carry the business while I focus on family.
At the time of writing this, I have five Website Templates live — available both on my own website and across a few digital product platforms.
My stretch goal? To hit 12 templates before baby arrives. We’ll see how it all unfolds!
Ultimately, my hope is that the Template Shop brings in a few (or more than just a few) consistent sales each month to help with expenses. I’m incredibly grateful for the support system I have — from my husband who’s working hard to provide, to our extended family who’s ready to step in and help however they can. That peace of mind is everything right now.
Marketing:
When it comes to marketing, I’m focusing on three main channels: blog posts, Pinterest, and Instagram. By getting content scheduled in advance for September and October 2025, I’m aiming to keep the momentum going while I’m on maternity leave. My main marketing goal during the September–December window is to direct people either to my Template Shop or to book a Custom Website project for 2026.
If you’re anything like me and love the nitty-gritty behind-the-scenes details, here’s exactly what I’m planning —
in case it’s helpful for any fellow soon-to-be moms or anyone prepping for an extended break from their business:
Blog Posts – I’m scheduling one blog post per week, focused on digital products and web design topics to keep driving traffic and sharing value.
Instagram – I’m batching and scheduling 3 posts per week, highlighting both my templates and openings for 2026 custom design bookings.
Emails & Client Communication – These are automated through HoneyBook for any Website Design inquiries that come in. I plan to keep my calendar open for November and December 2025 for consultation calls and Website Design Prep. If I end up needing more time off, I’ll simply adjust — the beauty of setting these systems up early!
The best part? Consultation calls are short (just 30 minutes by phone), and my Website Design Prep Forms and Proposal templates are already created and ready to send with just one click. Having those tools in place brings me so much peace of mind as I get ready for this next chapter.
Step 3: Client Communication & new Project Timelines
Updating Future Project Timelines:
As my Web Design and Template Shop business has grown, I’ve made a point to refine my processes after each client project. Every experience teaches me something new — whether it's something I want to improve or a tweak I can make to work more efficiently next time.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned? Project timelines matter — a lot.
It’s common in the early days of running a web design business to have a project you think will take six weeks… end up stretching into two or even three months. I’ve been there, and it’s not sustainable — especially when you’re depending on consistent income. I’ve heard many other web designers say the same thing: without strong systems, timelines can easily slip.
To prevent this, I’ve created a streamlined client process (using HoneyBook) that helps ensure custom website projects stay on track and are completed within 4–6 weeks. This is a timeline that works well for me — and it’s become even more important now as I prepare to become a new mom. Let me break it down:
My Current Web Design Project Workflow (Steal this!!!):
Before the Project Begins:
The client accepts + signs the Project Proposal and pays the deposit to reserve their Custom Website project.
The client completes a Web Design Prep Form (this typically takes 2–6 weeks, depending on how ready they are).
>> I make it clear that we will not start their project until this Web Design Prep Form is completed and sent back to me.
The client books their Kick-Off Strategy Call with me, kicking off their project start date!
Project Timeline (4–6 Weeks):
We collaborate over 4–6 weeks, with clear milestones, pre-set video meetings, and up to two full rounds of website revisions.
After the Project Wraps:
The client receives their fully-functioning, launched website and any other deliverable add-ons.
I deliver personalized Loom videos showing them how to manage and edit their new beautiful site.
Why Timelines & Boundaries Matter More Than Ever:
As I step into this new chapter of working from home with a newborn, time becomes even more valuable. Most of my work will happen in short, focused windows — likely during nap times or in the quiet early hours. That means every hour counts.
When projects drag on past their intended timeline, it not only affects cash flow —
it cuts into the limited time you have for other clients, marketing, or just, you know… life.
That’s why having clear systems, boundaries, and a well-communicated process is key — not just for your clients, but for your own peace of mind.
If you’re preparing for maternity leave (or even just craving more structure in your creative business), having these kinds of processes in place will make a world of difference.
planning ahead + support systems = peace!
As I prepare to become a first-time mom — while also running my own business from home — I know that life is about to change in big ways. My top priorities are family and maintaining a healthy, connected marriage. While I’ve put a lot of intention into preparing — building passive income streams, scheduling out marketing, automating emails, and putting solid CRM systems in place for when I return — I also know that things won’t always go according to plan (because they rarely do, right?).
That’s where I feel incredibly grateful. I have a strong support system of family and loved ones who will be there when the unexpected happens.
At the end of the day, all I can do is prepare the best I can, work hard, trust God, and believe that He will provide.
Stay tuned for more posts on planning for maternity leave and navigating life as a work-from-home business owner and new mom. I’ll be sharing in real time, learning as I go — so if you’re on a similar journey, I’d love for you to come along with me.
With love,
Alex Marrow
