Single Mom CEO: Overcoming Mental Barriers and Building a Life on Your Terms
I never set out to be a single mom. When I was 18, scared, alone, and pregnant, I had no idea what my future would look like. But somehow, I made it through—one decision, one step, one day at a time.
Now, as a mom to a teenager, I’m still building. I’m still growing. I don’t have all the answers, but one thing I do know? Single motherhood is not the end of your story—it’s the beginning of a powerful one.
For years, I believed my only role was to survive, to get by, to do the best I could with what I had. But at some point, I had to shift my mindset. I had to stop waiting for things to be fair. I had to stop thinking about what I didn’t have and start focusing on what was in my control.
I had to put on my CEO mindset.
The Mental Barriers That Hold Single Moms Back
The hardest part of single motherhood isn’t just the financial struggle, the exhaustion, or the juggling of responsibilities. It’s the mental barriers that tell you you’re not enough.
1. Letting Go of Society’s Picture of the “Perfect Family”
For a long time, I held onto this idea that a family needed to look a certain way—mom, dad, kids. And if my son didn’t have that, it meant something was missing.
I had to let that go.
A family is not defined by who is missing; it’s defined by the love, security, and joy that exists inside of it. Your kids are not lacking just because their family looks different from someone else’s.
2. Releasing the Guilt That Society Puts on Single Moms
Society is quick to blame moms for everything. If the relationship didn’t work, it’s your fault. If your child struggles, it’s your fault. If you’re tired, overwhelmed, or need help, you’re somehow failing.
Let me say this clearly: You are not to blame.
A child’s well-being is not determined by whether or not their father is in their life. Studies show that the biggest indicator of how well-adjusted a child will be isn’t about whether they have two parents—it’s whether their mom is happy.
I had to release the guilt. I had to stop apologizing for the way things turned out and start embracing what I could control—being the best mom I could be with the life I was given.
The Added Layer of Being a Black Single Mom
Single motherhood comes with its own set of challenges, but when you’re a Black single mom, the weight is even heavier.
The stereotypes run deep—society often paints Black single mothers as struggling, uneducated, or irresponsible, despite the fact that Black women are one of the most educated groups in the country. We are building businesses, earning degrees, and raising incredible children—all while carrying the weight of both racial and gender biases.
And yet, there’s still this unspoken pressure to “prove” that you’re not a statistic. To be twice as strong, twice as successful, twice as put-together—because the world is already expecting you to fail.
I had to learn to reject that pressure.
I had to remind myself that I am not a stereotype. My son is not a stereotype. My story, my success, and my struggles are my own. And I don’t have to carry the weight of proving my worth to a world that was never meant to see me thrive in the first place.
Shifting from Survival Mode to CEO Mode
As a single mom, you have to make a choice—stay in survival mode, or take control of your life.
1. Managing Time When You Can’t Do It All
I had to accept that I can’t do everything. There’s no magic schedule that allows me to be the perfect mom, the perfect business owner, and the perfect version of myself. But I can be strategic.
For me, that meant:
Working in the evenings when my son was asleep
Using early mornings on weekends while he slept in to knock out business tasks
Focusing on what moves the needle instead of wasting time on perfectionism
You don’t need 10 hours a day to build something for yourself. Start small. Start with what you have.
2. Not Waiting for Someone Else to Show Up
For the moms relying on child support—I get it. I have no support. And I believe every mother deserves financial help from the other parent.
But here’s the hard truth I had to learn: If chasing that support is costing you more time, energy, and stress than it’s worth, shift your focus.
That doesn’t mean giving up—it means redirecting your energy toward what you CAN control.
I focused on building multiple income streams.
I focused on getting a promotion every three years.
I focused on starting my own business.
Waiting for someone to do the right thing is exhausting. But building something for yourself? That’s power.
You Are the CEO of Your Life
You may not have chosen this path, but you get to choose what happens next.
Put on your CEO mindset.
Start seeing yourself as the leader of your life.
Make decisions that set you up for success—not just for survival.
It won’t be easy. But one day, your child will look back and see your resilience, your strength, and your unwavering belief in yourself. And that will shape them in ways you can’t even imagine.
I believe in you. Now it’s time for you to believe in yourself.
Resources for Single Moms Building a Better Future
If you’re ready to take control of your life and create more financial freedom, here are a few free resources to help you get started:
100 Side Hustles for Single Moms + Action Plan – A guide to finding ways to increase your income without sacrificing time with your kids. [Download it here.]
Scholarship Guide for Single Moms – A resource for finding grants, scholarships, and financial aid to further your education or skills. [Grab it here.]
Follow @SingleMomBloom on Instagram for daily motivation, tips, and encouragement. [Follow here.]
You are not alone. You are more than enough. And your future is in your hands.
