How to Plan Your Maternity Leave as a Business Owner: A Step-by-Step Guide
⚠️ Trigger Warning: This content discusses pregnancy, maternity leave, and planning for time off as a business owner. We understand that these topics may be sensitive for those who have experienced miscarriage, infertility, or other challenges. Please take care while reading.
From what I’ve heard and experienced - as a VA supporting pregnant people - pregnancy is an exciting time, full of anticipation and new beginnings. But as a business owner, it can also bring a lot of stress. How will your business manage without you? Will clients stick around? How will you handle the financial hit of stepping away?
The truth is, maternity leave as a business owner can feel overwhelming - but it doesn’t have to. With a little planning and the right tools, you can take the time off while ensuring your business keeps running smoothly.
If you’re feeling the weight of uncertainty, you’re not alone. That’s why I’ve created a free Maternity Leave Planning Checklist to guide you through the process, and I’m hosting a live Maternity Leave Planning Workshop on Saturday, 25th January 2025, to help you create a step-by-step plan tailored to your business.
The Challenges of Maternity Leave as a Business Owner
Unlike employees who have structured leave policies, business owners often have to build their maternity leave from scratch. That can lead to a host of worries, including:
Financial Concerns: How will you maintain income while you’re not actively working?
Client Retention: Will your clients or customers stick around if you’re unavailable?
Operational Challenges: Who will handle the day-to-day tasks?
Emotional Stress: Balancing excitement for your growing family with the anxiety of stepping back from your business.
Many business owners delay planning because it feels overwhelming or they’re not sure where to start. But waiting too long can lead to rushed decisions and unnecessary stress.
The Solution? A proactive approach. With clear planning and support, you can navigate this transition confidently - and even come out stronger on the other side.
5 Key Steps to Planning Your Maternity Leave
Here’s a snapshot of the steps every business owner should take to prepare for maternity leave:
Set Your Vision:
Take time to imagine what you want your leave to look like. How long will you step away? What boundaries will you set? Be specific about your goals so you can plan accordingly.Get Your Finances in Order:
Research your maternity leave allowance (e.g., Maternity Allowance or Statutory Maternity Pay in the UK) and align your budget to cover your time off. Start applying for any support early to avoid delays.Streamline and Automate:
Set up systems to ensure your business keeps running without your daily involvement. Automate processes like invoicing, client communications, and scheduling, and document workflows so they’re easy to follow.Communicate with Clients:
Be proactive about setting expectations with clients. Let them know your timeline, how they’ll be supported, and who they can contact if they need assistance while you’re away.Plan Your Return:
Ease back into work with a phased return strategy. Start with reduced hours or lighter tasks and gradually build up as you feel ready.
How My Checklist and / or Workshop Can Help
If you’re not sure where to begin, my Maternity Leave Planning Checklist is the perfect starting point. It’s designed to take the guesswork out of planning, offering trimester-specific guidance to help you align tasks with your energy levels and priorities.
Here’s how the checklist can help:
Breaks the process into manageable steps so you feel less overwhelmed.
Provides practical advice on financial planning, automation, and client communication.
Helps you prioritise tasks to make the most of your time and energy.
Want more hands-on support? That’s where my Maternity Leave Planning Workshop comes in. This live, interactive session on Saturday, 25th January 2025, at 10am GMT, will help you:
Tailor your leave plan to your business’s unique needs.
Gain confidence in your ability to step away while keeping things running.
Create a phased return strategy to ease back into work stress-free.
Exclusive Waitlist Discount
Join the waitlist by 21st December, and you’ll qualify for an exclusive price of £15 (full ticket price is £20).
How Planning Reduces Stress
Maternity leave doesn’t have to be a source of anxiety. When you plan ahead:
You feel in control: Knowing your business is prepared gives you peace of mind.
You gain clarity: A clear plan ensures nothing important gets overlooked.
You protect your energy: Aligning tasks with your trimester helps you focus on what matters most without burning out.
You build trust: Proactive communication with clients reassures them that their needs are being considered.
By using my checklist and attending the workshop, you’ll have the tools, strategies, and support to step away with confidence, knowing your business will thrive even while you take time for your growing family.
“I approached Heather for some help as I am a business owner and was approaching maternity leave. After interviewing about 7 other VA’s and, I found Heather to be the best fit by far. ...She is extremely thorough, and we worked alongside each other for a couple of months whilst she learnt the ins and outs of how to do the things I needed help with. Heather’s support has been invaluable to allow me to fully relax on my maternity leave knowing my business is in good hands... I’m so pleased to have found Heather and would recommend her to anyone.”
Are you ready to take the stress out of maternity leave planning?
Here’s how to get started:
Download the Free Checklist to map out your first steps.
Join the Workshop Waitlist by 21st December to secure your exclusive discount.
Taking maternity leave as a business owner is entirely possible with the right planning. Let me help you create a plan that works for you, and your business.
