Running your own business as a mom is a powerful act of courage. You’re building something from the ground up while juggling school pickups, family schedules, and all the little fires that pop up in everyday life. Yet, despite your accomplishments, do you ever feel like you don’t belong in the entrepreneurial world? That any minute someone might “find out” you’re not as capable as you appear? That heavy feeling has a name: Imposter Syndrome.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is the belief that your achievements aren’t valid and that your success comes from luck or external factors instead of your skills and hard work. For mompreneurs, this can show up as doubting your ability to run a business while raising a family, comparing yourself to other business owners who seem to “have it all together”, and downplaying your wins—whether it’s landing a client, hosting a successful pop-up, or simply balancing your books.

Imposter syndrome can feel isolating and like it’s only happening to you. In actuality, studies show that 75%-85% of women experience it at some point. But for moms in business, it can feel even more debilitating when you’re navigating two (or more) full-time roles at once.

Why Mompreneurs Are Especially Vulnerable

Moms building home-based businesses often build their networks via social media, where business owners are most likely to just share their successes and none of their struggles. It can led a new mompreneur to feel like all the small businesses are thriving and that they are the only ones floundering. And while watching our mom + biz owners succeed can be inspiring, it also can create lead to comparison. Social media shows you the heavily filtered storefronts, curated workspaces, and thriving families. What you don’t see are the late nights, the fears, and the mistakes along the way.

Moms often feel added pressure to prove themselves, both as professionals and as caregivers. If your business doesn’t grow as quickly as you hoped, or if your house doesn’t look like a magazine, it’s easy to question your worth.

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

You don’t have to resign yourself to a life of feeling “not good enough”. Here are a couple ways to help you overcome imposter syndrome.

1. Celebrate Small Wins
   Keep a journal of your achievements, no matter how small. Did you finally register your LLC? Land your first client? Show up at a Madison Mompreneur coworking session even though you were nervous? Write it down! Success builds confidence.
2. Connect with Community
   One of the best ways to silence imposter thoughts is to talk with other moms who understand. At Madison Mompreneur, our hybrid coworking sessions create space to share struggles and solutions. You’ll quickly realize you’re not alone.
3. Shift the Narrative
   Instead of asking, “Who am I to do this?” try, “Who am I not to?” Your voice, perspective, and business fill a unique need in our community. Madison thrives because of diverse businesses like yours.
4. Invest in Support
   Whether it’s childcare, bookkeeping help, or marketing services, outsourcing areas that drain you can free up energy for your strengths. Delegating isn’t weakness, it’s a smart business move.
5. Practice Self-Compassion
   Remember: perfection isn’t the goal. Progress is. You can’t pour into your business or your family if you’re constantly criticizing yourself.

Imposter syndrome doesn’t disappear overnight, but it does lose power when you name it, share it, and take steps to challenge it. As a mompreneur in Madison, you are not “pretending.” You are building a legacy—for yourself, your family, and your community.

So the next time that inner voice whispers that you’re not enough, remind yourself: you are exactly where you’re supposed to be.