By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Establishing and maintaining work-life balance is challenging for any entrepreneur, but motherhood takes that challenge to another level. For these four Black mothers in business, it has become their superpower—woven into the heart of their companies.
A 2024 survey by United We, a non-profit think tank focused on the women’s labor force, found that 62 percent of women entrepreneurs with small children said that a lack of sufficient childcare hindered their ability to run their businesses. Those most likely to say this ran mature businesses earning more than $1 million or requiring 30 or more hours of work per week.
This week, Jenny Beckford, founder of Greater Elevation; Mignon François, founder and CEO of the Cupcake Collection (TCC); Jackie B. Grice, founder and CEO of Launching Deeper; and Princella Seymour, founder and CEO of Complete Elder Solutions, shared how they balance motherhood, run successful businesses and navigate setbacks to create lasting change.
Jenny Beckford
In 2020, Beckford founded Greater Elevation, a coaching and consulting practice for parents and teens, driven by her own journey with her children. Greater Elevation is based in the United Kingdom.
“There was a time when I was struggling to connect with my twins, and I decided to invest in coaching for myself,” she said. “That experience was life-changing. It helped me understand myself better, rebuild my relationship with them and ultimately find my purpose.”
Beckford said she initially wanted to focus on supporting teens, but quickly realized that lasting change meant working with parents as well. She helps teens develop confidence and navigate their mindset and emotions. She also aids parents in connecting with and understanding their children on a deeper level.
“I’ve built a Facebook community of over 800 parents, providing resources, guidance and support that they can use to strengthen their relationships with their teens and support their family’s wellbeing,” she said.
Mignon François
François started her business while she was a stay-at-home mom, in the process of losing her home, with just $5 to her name and no prospects.
“I didn’t know how to bake, but I knew how to believe,” she said.
With that hope, she started TCC, a Black-owned bakery and cafe based in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 9, 2008. TCC is now a multi-million-dollar business.
“TCC is built on the ingredients of vision, faith, family and flavor,” said François. “It was built to feed my family, not just physically but also spiritually. I wanted my children to know that entrepreneurship could forge a path to freedom.”
She said the business now serves as a backdrop to hire locally, mentor up-and-coming entrepreneurs and give back to the community.
François wants her story to inspire other mothers to take that next step.
“You don’t have to be perfect to start,” said François. “You don’t need wealth—you just need the willingness to believe that all you have is all you need to get from where you are to where you want to be.”
Jackie B. Grice
“My motivation to start Launching Deeper stemmed from a desire to help other entrepreneurs live purpose-driven lives aligned with their faith and values,” said Grice. “As a parent and community member, I believe in nurturing not just my family but the next generation of leaders and visionaries.”
Launching Deeper, started during the height of Covid-19, is an entity through which Grice helps others achieve success through her distinctive approach to business strategy. Prior to Launching Deeper, she had 20 years of experience as a successful entrepreneur via J Diamond Inc. and Agape Travel and Tours.
Grice discussed a unique challenge she encountered as a mother in business and how she triumphed over it.
“One key challenge was managing my time and energy, ensuring I was present for my children while also fulfilling my business responsibilities,” said Grice. “I overcame this by setting clear boundaries, trusting God’s guidance and leaning on my faith for strength and wisdom.”
Princella Seymour
For 18 years, Complete Elder Solutions has offered elder health care services throughout Florida. They provide access to a range of programs such as care coaching, real estate and property management, hospital to home transition and crisis intervention.
“Starting Complete Elder Solutions was a natural extension of my desire to make a positive, lasting impact in my community,” said Seymour. “ As a parent, I want to lead by example, showing my child the importance of compassion, integrity and service.”
Seymour described how being a mother has been an asset in running her business.
“As a mother, I’ve learned to juggle multiple responsibilities, prioritize effectively and remain calm under pressure,” said Seymour. “These skills translate directly into building a service-oriented organization focused on compassion and understanding.”
Seymour lends advice to mothers who are looking to become entrepreneurs but are not sure about embarking on the journey.
“My advice is to pray and seek clarity from God about your purpose,” said Seymour. “Remember, success isn’t always immediate, it’s about perseverance, faith and continual learning. With God’s guidance and your dedication, your vision can become a reality.”