How I Balance Motherhood and Entrepreneurship

Lisandra Castillo
a few seconds ago
5 min read

My Journey as a Minority Mompreneur Balancing Family Life and Rideshare Entrepreneurship

The Juggle That Never Stops

People often ask me, “Lisandra, how do you do it? How do you raise a child, run your home, and still chase your business goals?” My answer is simple but never easy: balance.

Motherhood and entrepreneurship don’t always feel like a perfect match. Kids don’t wait for business meetings to finish before needing your attention. Bills don’t pause just because your little one caught the flu. And business opportunities won’t reschedule themselves around soccer practice. The truth? The juggle never stops. But what I’ve learned over the years is that balance isn’t about doing everything perfectly—it’s about staying intentional, focused, and flexible enough to honor both roles.

For me, that balance has meant driving rideshare part-time, building side projects, and still showing up fully for my children. And I want to share my story with you—not because I’ve got it all figured out, but because I know there are so many women, especially Latina moms like me, who are out here hustling with the same fire.

Motherhood First, Always

Let’s start here: my kids come first. No question, no debate. Being a mother is my greatest joy and my deepest responsibility. Everything else—money, business, rideshare driving, networking—exists to support my role as a mom.

That doesn’t mean I always feel like Superwoman. Some mornings I’m exhausted. Some nights I cry in the bathroom, overwhelmed by the weight of doing it all. But every time I see my kids thriving, laughing, and growing, I know the hustle is worth it.

Motherhood grounds me. It reminds me why I get up at 5:00 a.m. to start my day. It’s the reason I’m willing to work hard, learn new skills, and keep pushing—even when I feel like giving up.

Entrepreneurship as Empowerment

Now let’s talk business. Entrepreneurship isn’t just about money—it’s about empowerment. As women, and especially as Latina women, we know that opportunities don’t always come easily. Wages don’t stretch as far. Childcare is expensive. The corporate ladder isn’t built for mothers.

So what do we do? We build our own ladders. We create opportunities instead of waiting for them. For me, rideshare driving has been part of that ladder. It gives me flexibility to choose my hours. It gives me immediate income when I need it. And it gives me confidence to know I can provide for my family while still being present for my kids.

But entrepreneurship is bigger than rideshare. It’s about dreaming of the business I want to build long-term—whether it’s expanding into consulting, creating digital products, or launching a small family-owned shop. Rideshare is my stepping stone, my classroom, and my safety net, all at once.

The Daily Balancing Act

Here’s a snapshot of what balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship looks like for me:

Morning: Get the kids ready for school. Make breakfast, pack lunches, check homework. Once the drop-off is done, I flip on my rideshare apps and catch the morning rush.

Midday: After a few hours of driving, I pause to run errands, handle business emails, or work on side projects. Sometimes this is also when I squeeze in self-care—a quick workout, meditation, or just sitting in silence for a few minutes.

Afternoon: Pick up the kids, help with homework, cook dinner. Family time always comes before evening driving.

Evening: If I still have energy and there’s a concert or event in town, I head back out for a few hours of high-demand rides. Otherwise, I stay home, tuck the kids in, and spend time planning for the next day.

Is it perfect? No. But it’s a system that works for us.

Marisol in Los Angeles

Let me share a story that mirrors so many of us. Marisol, a single mom in Los Angeles, started driving Uber after losing her retail job. She felt guilty at first, thinking she was taking time away from her kids. But then she realized she could schedule her hours around their school and sports activities.

Now, she works mornings, takes afternoons off for her family, and drives weekend nights when relatives can babysit. Marisol didn’t just survive—she built a rhythm that supports both her business goals and her children’s needs.

Daniela in Miami

Daniela, another Latina mom, wanted to open a small bakery. Money was tight, and she couldn’t afford to quit her job. So she picked up Lyft rides part-time. Every extra dollar she made went into her savings account labeled “Bakery Dream.”

Fast forward a year, and Daniela had enough to secure a small space and launch her bakery. Rideshare wasn’t her endgame, but it was the bridge that got her there.

Systems That Keep Me Grounded

Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship is possible because I’ve created systems. Without them, the chaos would swallow me whole.

Prioritize Like a Pro. Every morning, I write down the top three things that must get done—two for family, one for business. Everything else is optional.
Set Boundaries. I don’t answer business calls during family dinner. I don’t let social media steal hours of my time. Boundaries protect both my sanity and my productivity.
Plan for Flexibility. Kids get sick. Cars break down. Life happens. I always leave margin in my schedule for the unexpected.
Lean on Community. I don’t try to do it all alone. Whether it’s family, friends, or other moms I’ve met through rideshare groups, having a support system makes all the difference.

The Emotional Rollercoaster

Let’s be honest: balancing these roles isn’t just about schedules—it’s about emotions. Guilt is real. Stress is real. Self-doubt is real. There are days I question whether I’m giving enough to my kids. There are days I wonder if my business goals are too ambitious.

But I’ve also learned that emotions don’t define me—actions do. I remind myself daily: my kids don’t need perfection, they need presence. My business doesn’t need me to know everything, it just needs me to keep moving forward.

Why Rideshare Fits the Mompreneur Life

So why does rideshare work so well for mothers like me?

Flexibility: I choose when to drive. I don’t need to beg for time off.
Cash Flow: I earn in real-time. If I need grocery money today, I can make it happen.
Scalability: I can do more when I want, less when I need to.
Empowerment: Every ride reminds me I’m capable, resourceful, and resilient.

Rideshare isn’t just a gig—it’s a tool. It’s the ladder I’m climbing, step by step, toward financial stability and entrepreneurial freedom.

Late-Night Reflections

After the kids are asleep and my car is parked, I often sit quietly, reflecting on the day. Did I do enough? Did I show up for both my kids and my business? Most nights, the answer is yes—not because I did it perfectly, but because I stayed true to what matters.

Motherhood has made me stronger. Entrepreneurship has made me smarter. And rideshare has given me the space to balance both.

Final Thoughts: To the Moms Reading This

If you’re a mother trying to balance it all, hear me: you are not alone. The hustle is hard, but it’s also holy. Every diaper changed, every dollar earned, every dream pursued—it all matters.

Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship is not about perfection. It’s about persistence. It’s about showing up, even when it’s messy. It’s about teaching our kids, by example, that we can build lives of purpose, passion, and provision.

The hustle is real, but so is the reward. And together, we can keep rising—one ride, one business plan, and one bedtime story at a time.

Final Word: Your Time Is the Business

You don’t work for Uber. You don’t work for Lyft. You work for yourself. So stop giving them the keys to your schedule. Create your own strategy based on data, energy management, and geography.

Surge is temporary. But wisdom? That pays every time you hit the road.

So what’s your strategy for this season? Is your hustle working for you—or against you? Drop it in the comments. Let’s get you that upgrade.