Building a Business Alongside Motherhood: Boundaries, Support, and Finding Your People (Interview with Renae O’Neill)
Meet Today’s Guest: Renae O’Neill
I met Renae somewhere in the Instagram universe (because honestly… that’s how entrepreneurs make friends now 😂), and I instantly connected with her. I knew you’d love her too.
Renae is a mum of two and a life and business coach for mums, and she lives in Tasmania, Australia—so literally on the other side of the world from me. And isn’t that the coolest part of what we do? We can connect with people across the globe and build real relationships.
Renae’s mission is to help mums start and grow successful businesses alongside motherhood, with time, flexibility, and freedom—without sacrificing their joy or their family.
And if you’re thinking, “Okay, yes… that’s me,” you’re going to LOVE this conversation.
Listen in here:
https://pod.co/the-social-selling-sisterhood/renee-o-neill-podcast
How Renae Became a Coach for Mums
One of my favorite questions to ask guests is:
How did you get started? Like… how do you wake up one day and decide, “I’m going to coach mums in business”?
Renae shared that she’s been in business for a long time—everything from owning a brick-and-mortar bridal store to dabbling in multi-level marketing and several other ventures.
But when she became a mum, something shifted.
She realized she didn’t want the traditional 9-to-5 life. She wanted more freedom, more flexibility, and the ability to be present with her kids in the way she envisioned.
She also experienced postnatal anxiety and depression, which led her deeper into personal development and her own transformation. That journey took her to getting coaching certification—and she started as more of a life coach.
But naturally, her clients began asking business questions:
“How do I start a business as a mum?”
“How do I build something sustainable with limited time?”
“How do I keep going when motherhood is demanding?”
And just like that, life coaching evolved into business coaching—with a holistic approach that supports both.
Why Life and Business Can’t Be Separated (Especially for Mums)
Renae and I both agreed: for mums, life and business aren’t separate categories.
They blend.
Your confidence, your energy, your relationships, your mental load—those things all impact how you show up in your business. And your business impacts your life right back.
Renae said she still calls herself a life and business coach because the work she does affects both. And honestly… I love that. Because you can’t “strategy” your way around burnout, anxiety, lack of boundaries, or a chaotic season of life.
Sometimes the most “business” thing you can do is… work on you.
The Biggest Struggles Renae Sees in Mums Building Businesses
When mums come to Renae, it’s often for business advice—but the underlying issues are usually foundational, like:
1) Clarity on values
Knowing what matters most to you is the key to building a business that actually fits your life.
2) Prioritizing your business your way (not the internet’s way)
One of the biggest issues she sees is the constant “shoulds”:
“I should be doing this strategy.”
“I should be on this platform.”
“I heard I need to do that thing.”
And Renae’s philosophy is simple:
There is no one cookie-cutter way to build a successful business.
Your business should support your lifestyle—not become your lifestyle.
3) Boundaries
Especially boundaries around time and energy—because motherhood + business + life is a LOT.
Let’s Talk Boundaries (Because This Is Everything)
We went deep into boundaries, because if you’re building a business while juggling life, boundaries aren’t optional.
Renae shared that time boundaries are the #1 thing she works on with her clients.
Because let’s be real: if you’re a mum, possibly working a job, running a household, and trying to grow a business…
You genuinely don’t have much extra time.
So boundaries might look like:
“I work on my business for 2 hours in the evening.”
“I don’t do laundry during my business block.”
“This is my non-negotiable focus time.”
And a big part of boundaries is also working through the guilt.
Because so many women feel guilty when they’re not doing it all at once.
But boundaries don’t mean you’re neglecting life—they mean you’re choosing intentionally, season by season.
What If You Don’t Have a Supportive Partner?
This part was SO helpful.
I asked Renae what she recommends when someone says:
“My spouse isn’t supportive, and it’s making this really hard.”
Renae said this is more common than people realize—especially in the beginning.
Her advice:
1) Communicate your “why”
Not just “I want to start a business,” but:
Why it matters to you
What it will change for your family
What freedom or financial impact it could create
Sometimes the resistance is just lack of understanding.
2) Explain the benefits (and the season)
Early business stages require sacrifice. Sharing that this is a season—and what it’s working toward—can help your partner see the bigger picture.
3) Let them in on the journey
As you grow, bring them into what you’re learning and building. Over time, understanding creates support.
And honestly? The way Renae described how her business lights her up was so powerful, I said this in the interview:
If someone explained it to me that way, I’d be like… YES, do it.
Because fulfillment matters.
When Is the “Right Time” to Invest in Support?
I asked Renae about investing—coaches, mentors, delegating, working smarter—because so many women feel like they have to wait until they’re “making money” before they get help.
Her answer might surprise you:
She believes it’s almost imperative to have support from the beginning.
Because business is a personal development journey. You will face:
limiting beliefs
confidence issues
resilience-building moments
decisions that feel scary
And a coach/mentor helps you move through it faster and with more clarity.
Renae also shared something important:
Even when investing felt scary, she has never regretted an investment in her business—because it always paid off in growth, clarity, money, or personal transformation.
Her tip for choosing a coach:
Look for someone you resonate with… and often someone a few steps ahead of you—because they still remember what it’s like to be in your shoes.
How to Find Community When You Feel Alone
This part was gold, because so many entrepreneurs feel isolated—especially when no one in their “real life” gets what they’re doing.
Renae’s top ways to find community:
join group programs or masterminds
group coaching containers
networking spaces
consistent engagement on social media
She said she’s found some of her closest business friends online (same 😂) because they understand her in a different way than friends/family who aren’t in the entrepreneurial world.
And I shared a funny story about going to a mastermind weekend with people I met online, and my dad being like:
“Wait… you’ve never met them in person and you’re sharing a house?”
Entrepreneur life is just different. 😂
Renae’s Personal Development Book Recommendation
When I asked Renae for a personal development book that really impacted her, she didn’t even hesitate.
The Five Regrets of the Dying
She said it’s one of the most transformational books she’s ever read—because it puts life, values, legacy, and what truly matters into perspective.
And yes… now I feel like I need to read it immediately.
Routine: Morning, Night, or Neither?
Renae said she’s a routine person—both morning and night—but not in a strict, rigid way. More like supportive structure with flexibility.
I loved that because same: give me a rhythm, but let me be a human. 😅
Dream Vacation
Renae shared her favorite trip was a cruise from Australia through the Pacific Islands—Fiji, Vanuatu, and more.
UM, YES PLEASE.
And she hasn’t been to the U.S. yet… so of course I told her she has a place to stay in Ohio (not exactly the top tourist destination, but still 😂).
Connect with Renae O’Neill
Renae’s favorite place to hang out is Instagram (connection is one of her highest values), so go say hi:
Instagram: @renae.oneill
She also hosts the Mum Boss Podcast, and I’ll be a guest on there soon—so stay tuned because we’re jumping on the mic together again!
Final Thoughts
This episode was packed with nuggets—boundaries, support, community, and building a business in a way that fits your real life.
If you loved it:
screenshot this episode/blog and send it to a girlfriend who needs it
share it on your IG stories
tag me @LindsayDollinger so I can thank you
I appreciate you, friend.
Now go create, own, and spread your magic. ✨
