I assumed I’d need formal qualifications or years of experience in a specific field. But as I’ve started exploring entrepreneurship, I’ve realised something that’s completely changed my perspective: I already have so many of the skills I need. They just didn’t come with a job title or a certificate.
Let me explain.

As a single mum, my life has been a constant balancing act. I’ve managed household budgets, coordinated schedules, problem-solved on the fly, and negotiated with toddlers (a skill that, let me tell you, is harder than it sounds!). At first, these didn’t seem like “business” skills. They were just the things I did to keep life ticking over.

Then, I joined a workshop where the speaker asked us to list our transferable skills—things we’ve learned in one area of life that can be applied to another. At first, I couldn’t think of much. But as I dug deeper, I started to see it. Budgeting? That’s financial management. Organising the family schedule? Project planning. Communicating with people? Customer service. Suddenly, my years of experience looked a lot more valuable.

This shift in perspective has been a game changer for me. It’s not that I don’t have to learn anything new—I do. But realising that I’m not starting from scratch has given me a huge confidence boost. It’s shown me that I already have a solid foundation to build on.

One thing that’s helped is writing everything down. I started with a simple list: what do I do every day? What challenges have I faced and overcome? What strengths do people compliment me on? Seeing it all in one place made it clear just how much I’ve already achieved without even realising it.

Another thing that’s been helpful is talking to other women who are starting businesses. Hearing their stories has shown me that I’m not alone in feeling unsure at times. Many of them didn’t think they had the right skills either, but they’ve learned to see their experiences in a new light.

If you’re like me and wondering what you have to offer, try this exercise: write down everything you do, big or small, and think about how those skills could apply to running a business. You might be surprised at how much you already bring to the table.

I’m excited to keep learning and growing, but I’m also proud of the skills I’ve built so far. They’re not just helping me as a parent—they’re helping me as an entrepreneur. And that’s a pretty amazing feeling.