The CEO & The Carpool Lane: Balancing Business and Backpacks 

If you’ve ever found yourself switching from negotiating a six-figure event budget to debating whether someone can bring slime to school or ordering last minute Hawaiian themed outfits from Amazon before 8:00 AM; then hey fam, welcome, you’ve found your people!

This season of life? It’s not just full…it’s overflowing. I’m a mother of three boys ( middle schooler, elementary kid, and preschooler with Olympic-level energy), a wife, a CEO of a luxury social event, corporate & wedding planning business, that my husband and I manage together. Add in school drop-offs, bedtime routines, and meal prep… and whew. Every hour is accounted for, every minute earned.

But somehow, by grace, grit, and a whole lot of group texts, emails & whatsapp messages; I’m making it work.

Real Talk…Balance Is Cute, But Priorities Save Lives

I gave up on chasing “balance” a while ago. I now chase alignment, rhythm & a prioritized flow. Because some nights, bedtime is exactly at 8:30 PM like we planned. Other nights? We’re wrapping up homework at 9:15pm or returning from football practice, reheating dinner, and saying our devotional while reviewing homework or ironing clothes for school the next day.  When we can stick to our routine, we do, because a peaceful morning starts the night before. But structure still matters, especially in a house with growing boys and growing businesses.

Mornings: Wake, Pray, Hustle, Repeat

And if you’ve never shouted “WHERE ARE YOUR SHOES?”, “DON’T FORGET YOUR LUNCH”, ‘DID YOU PUT YOUR HOMEWORK IN YOUR BAGPACK?” at least five times before 6:55 AM, are you even a parent?

And once I’ve done the drop-offs (with the help of my 7th grader riding the bus, bless him), I head home for a quiet walk and a moment to pray before diving into the chaos of deliverables.

Business Hours: 9 to 2 or Bust

I operate in a very narrow, highly productive window between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. That’s where I juggle CEO for my event planning business, support the other businesses my husband and I co-own, lead meetings, calls, meet deliverables and do any creative planning for clients.

I’ve set clear boundaries; no meetings before 10 AM – that’s a ME time, 3PM–6PM is blocked off for family after school homework and activities drop off. Emergency windows are built in to handle any urgent business needs, just in case.

Mondays are sacred business wellness days. No client work, just CEO duties. I review projects, meet with my admin assistant to plan the week, check on the health of all our businesses, and carve out space for strategy.

Outsourcing = Sanity Strategy

One thing I stopped doing? Trying to do everything myself. I outsource what I can to free up bandwidth and protect my peace. On the home front, we have Cleaners that come every other week, Laundry service through an app when needed, private chef drops off meal prep for those extra packed weeks and on the business side, I’m grateful for my Admin team who who handle all our business admin needs and sometimes even juggle being my personal assistant, because every superhero mama needs a sidekick (or five).

This allows me to be intentional about showing up more for my kids at their schools. I aim to volunteer at least one day at each of my kids’ schools each semester and more when my schedule allows. I love supporting our PSO and finding small ways to stay involved without burning out.

Evenings: When We Tag-Team Like Pros

My husband and I split the week. I reserve two evenings for client meetings, walkthroughs, or site visits usually between 5–8 PM to accommodate working couples. He steps in on the other nights to help out with homework, dinner, baths, and bedtime. Faith is our anchor. We strive for nightly devotionals even if it’s just five minutes of prayer. Some nights, we get in a full Bible reading and praise session. Others, it’s “Lord, thank you for carrying us through today” while everyone’s already half-asleep. We aim to both be present, but if only one of us can make it, that’s okay too. Grace is a constant companion here. Our dinner table is where life slows down. It’s jokes, laughter, school gossip, “Mom, can I get new shoes?” and “Guess who got sent to the office?” moments. It’s wins, worries, and prayer requests. It’s where we remember why we do it all.

My “Me Days” Are Mandatory And Flexible

Every other week, I schedule a Me Day. That might mean brunch with a friend, a spa treatment, or doing absolutely nothing. And if I feel overwhelmed in between? I cancel everything. I nap. I walk slower. I catch my breath. Because the version of me my family and clients need… starts with a well-rested, restored me.

What I’ve Learned:

• Preparation gives peace. If it’s not prepped the night before, it will become a crisis in the morning.
  
• Kids don’t need perfection. They need presence. And a mama who remembers to laugh.
  
• Boundaries build sustainability. Time blocks, client windows, admin rhythms—they matter.
  
• It’s okay to ask for help. You weren’t meant to carry everything alone.
  

If you’re a mama, CEO, creative, or all three—you’re not alone in this juggle. It’s okay if the house is loud and the inbox is full. As long as the hearts in your home are tended to and your purpose feels anchored… you’re doing just fine.

And if you’re reading this in the school pickup line with your kid’s half-eaten lunch in the passenger seat and a call on hold? You’re my kind of people. Let’s keep showing up, one block of time at a time.

What’s Saving Your Sanity This Season?

Drop a comment or DM me on Instagram [@Touch_of_Jewel] or [@MrsTOJ] and share your fall routines, mom hacks, or how you’re keeping your head above water, I’d love to feature your story in an upcoming post!

P.S. I just posted a little reintroduction reel on Instagram 👋🏾 would love for you to come take a look and answer the question in the caption. Click here to watch!