Building a Brand as a Working Parent: The Bit Nobody Talks About (The Loneliness)
Building a brand as a working parent looks great on paper — flexible hours, doing something you love, creating a life that fits around family.
A business that grows while you’re still doing the school run and making tea.
And yes — sometimes it can be like that.
But if you’re building a brand while raising children and holding down the rest of life, there’s another side that doesn’t get talked about enough:
it can be properly hard. And it can be lonely.
The working parent juggle isn’t a vibe — it’s a constant negotiation
When you’re building a brand, you’re not just doing the work. You’re also making the decisions, holding the vision, keeping the cash flow moving,
showing up online, delivering for clients or customers, and trying to be present at home.
And the truth is, there’s no perfect timetable for it.
Some days you’re on it. Other days you’re replying to emails with one hand while someone asks for a snack with the other, and you’re wondering how you’re meant
to do “brand strategy” when you can’t even remember what day it is.
This is the reality for so many UK working parents: you’re building a business in the cracks of life — before school, after bedtime, in the car park,
on your lunch break, in the five minutes of quiet you get before the next thing kicks off.
Building a brand takes confidence (even when you don’t feel it)
Brand building isn’t just logos and fonts. It’s visibility.
It’s saying: this is what I do, this is what I stand for, and I’m worth paying attention to.
That’s a big ask when you’re tired, when you’re stretched, and when you’re constantly questioning yourself.
Working parents often carry an extra layer of guilt too — guilt for working, guilt for not working enough, guilt for being on your phone,
guilt for not posting consistently, guilt for wanting more than “just getting by”.
And yet, you’re still showing up. You’re still trying. That matters.
The loneliness of running a business is real (and it’s not talked about enough)
Here’s the bit most people don’t warn you about: entrepreneurship can be isolating.
Even if you’ve got a supportive partner, even if you’ve got friends, even if you’ve got a team — there are parts of business that only you can carry.
You’re the one who worries about money at 2am, wonders if your offer is good enough, overthinks the post you’re about to publish,
questions whether anyone actually cares, and feels like everyone else is miles ahead.
And when you’re a parent as well, it can feel like you don’t fully fit anywhere. In “business spaces”, you can feel like the one who can’t do the networking events,
the late nights, the last-minute trips. In “parent spaces”, you can feel like the one who’s always thinking about work, always building something, always mentally elsewhere.
So you end up in the middle — doing your best, but feeling like you’re doing it alone.
Why community matters more than ever when you’re building a business
The answer isn’t “push through” or “be more disciplined”.
Most working parents don’t need more pressure. They need support. They need people who get it.
Because when you’re building a brand, you need encouragement when you’re doubting yourself, real conversations (not just highlight reels),
practical advice that works in real life, connections that lead to opportunities, and a reminder that you’re not the only one finding it hard.
A proper community doesn’t just make you feel better — it makes you more consistent, more confident, and more likely to keep going when things get wobbly.
You don’t have to do this on your own
If you’re building a business while raising a family, you’re already doing something brave.
And you deserve spaces that support you — not spaces that make you feel like you’re behind.
That’s exactly why we built BROOD: a UK community for working parents who are building careers, businesses and brands — and want something more real than generic “hustle” advice.
Join the BROOD Membership
If you want ongoing support, connection, and community (without the fluff), our membership is for you.
It’s built around real working-parent life — the messy middle, the big dreams, and the day-to-day graft.
Come to BROOD Live (Manchester + London)
If you’re craving in-person connection — the kind where you leave feeling energised, understood, and full of ideas — BROOD Live is where it happens.
We bring together working parents, founders, creatives and leaders for a day that feels like a reset and a reminder: you’re not doing this alone.
View BROOD Live events (Manchester + London)
Final word
If running a business feels lonely sometimes, it doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
It means you’re human. And you’re carrying a lot. But you don’t have to carry it alone.
The Balance of Play
I hate admitting that because I value play so deeply, especially in those precious early years. It’s how our children learn, explore, imagine and build confidence. But as a mum trying to keep a household running and a business growing, it’s not always easy to appreciate those moments.
Part Time Working Mummy Interview: Rachaele Hambleton & Josh Marshall
Rachaele Hambleton, aka Part Time Working Mummy, is an inspirational mum of six. The incredible 43-year-old is a Sunday Times Bestselling Author—four times over—founder of The Patchwork House, a support and guidance service for vulnerable individuals and families, and she’s also a successful entrepreneur, which includes her own clothing brand REBL.
Introducing Amanda Marks
We’re thrilled to welcome our new columnist Amanda Marks. Amanda is a Renowned Breastfeeding, Food & Sleep Consultant
With over 40 years of experience supporting families, Amanda Marks is a highly respected breastfeeding, food, and sleep consultant. Based in prestigious locations including 10 Harley Street, London, and Alderley Edge, Cheshire, Amanda has worked with families from diverse backgrounds, including media personalities and royalty, maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality.
An Interview with English Professional Boxer Chris Billam-Smith
At BROOD, we’re always drawn to stories that celebrate not just professional triumphs, but the heart and humanity behind them. Someone who embodies this spirit perfectly is Chris Billam-Smith—a world-class athlete
whose grit in the ring is matched only by his devotion to his family.
Why Family Gardening Is Having a Quiet Comeback
There’s a noticeable shift happening in how families spend their time. It isn’t loud or trend-led, and it’s rarely documented with before-and-after shots. Instead, it’s quieter and slower, rooted in small routines and shared moments. Family gardening is part of that change.
From Parliament to the Premier League: Campaigning for survivors of domestic abuse during this #16DaysOfActivism
Our Head of Social Causes and Sub-Editor Teresa Parker was joined by BROOD Editor-in Chief Lolo Stubbs at an event in Parliament on the 2nd December 2025 to mark ten years of coercive control legislation. Teresa organised the event through her consultancy Teresa Parker Media, in partnership with Hawkins, Laxton & Co, which is run by her former colleagues Clare and Sian.
WHY PARENTS NEED A WILL (Even If You Don’t Think You Do)
A lot of people still think wills are only for the wealthy or the elderly. I hear this all the time. In reality, wills are about far more than dividing up money.
Learning to let go – the empowerment edit with Sarah Jayne Dunn
Have you ever found yourself in a situationship that doesn’t serve you? You’re not sure why, you can’t quite put your finger on it, but deep down, something doesn’t feel right. Your gut is nudging you, your heart feels heavy, the energy is off, and somewhere in the background, the alarm bells are starting to ring.
PETER SIDWELL’S HOMEMADE WAGONWHEELS & HOB-NOB STYLE BISCUITS
This month, I’m thrilled to share two of our all-time favourite bakes: our homemade Hob Nobs and nostalgic Wagon Wheels. These recipes are more than just sweet treats—they’re time capsules. The Hob Nobs came from a rainy weekend when we had oats, butter, and not much else in the cupboards. The kids loved rolling the dough into little biscuit balls and watching them flatten in the oven. Dipping them in chocolate was the final touch—well, that and licking the spoon clean!
Building a Brand from the Kitchen Table
Mum-of-two Megan Ford shares how family life, late nights, and a passion for purposeful play sparked the beginnings of Ellor & Co — proving that big dreams really can start at the kitchen table.
