51: Mini Moguls: My Kids Share Their Business Wisdom

Running a business is no joke. Add parenting into the mix, and you’ve got yourself a full-fledged balancing act that could rival any Cirque du Soleil performance. As a business owner and a mom, I often wonder what my kids really think about what I do all day. Do they see me as an inspiring CEO, a workaholic, or just “Mom, the lady who never stops checking her emails”?

So, in a very special episode of the Accidental CEO Podcast, I decided to bring my daughters, Bianca (8) and Camilla (10), onto the show. The result? A candid, hilarious, and surprisingly insightful conversation about leadership, confidence, and what it really means to be a business owner from the perspective of two very wise kids.

What Does It Mean to Be a CEO?

The first question I posed to my daughters was simple: What do you think it means to be a CEO or a boss?

Bianca’s take was heartwarming: “I think it’s really hard being a boss because you have to help people understand things and make sure they have a good job.”

Meanwhile, Camilla had a slightly different (and slightly more stressed-out) viewpoint: “Being a CEO means you’re in charge of everything. If something goes wrong, you have to be the one to fix it. You make all the big decisions. Sometimes it’s really hard, but sometimes it’s really good.”

Sounds about right. Leadership is a mix of teaching, decision-making, and occasionally putting out metaphorical (and sometimes literal) fires. But hearing them describe it made me realize that, even at their young age, they already grasp the weight of responsibility that comes with being a business owner.

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Watching Mom Run a Business: The Good, the Bad, and the “Missing Singing Performances”

When I asked them what they’ve learned from watching me run my businesses, Bianca and Camilla didn’t sugarcoat their answers.

Camilla shared, “I’ve learned that it seems easy when you think about it, but when you actually see it happening, it takes a lot of time, a lot of practice, and sometimes things go wrong. But it eventually works out.”

Bianca, on the other hand, hit me right in the feels when she said, “I see you work really hard every day, but you always try to include us and make sure we have some time together.” 

Dream Businesses: What Would My Kids Do?

Next up, I asked my daughters what kind of business they would start if they could.

Camilla’s dream? A production company. “I love acting, and it would be fun to make scripts, hire people, and see a show that started in my imagination come to life on a big screen.”

Bianca’s answer was equally creative: “I want to be a fashion designer. I love how creative and fun designs can be, especially on the runway. It looks so cool.”

What I loved most about their answers is that both of them picked something they were genuinely passionate about. It was a great reminder that building a business shouldn’t just be about making money—it should be about bringing something you love to life.

How to Stay Confident When Things Get Hard

Confidence is a big theme in my coaching, so I was curious to hear what my girls thought about it.

Bianca gave the ultimate pep talk: “Even if things go wrong, I can still do it. I can learn from my mistakes and make things better.”

Camilla had a different approach: “Whenever I have hard times, like at school, I go to you for advice. If I were running a business, I’d find a mentor or someone to help me.”

That right there is some golden advice for any entrepreneur: Confidence isn’t about never failing; it’s about learning from failures. And having the right people in your corner makes all the difference.

Work-Life Balance: How Can Business Owners Make Work More Fun?

I asked my daughters how grown-ups could make work more fun, and their answers were priceless.

Camilla suggested decorating offices to make them more exciting. Bianca, on the other hand, thought we should take a cue from kids and turn boring work equipment into games. (She may have a future in corporate team-building.)

The best suggestion? Include your kids in what you do.

Bianca pointed out that she loves being part of my business, whether it’s passing out flyers for Nina’s Sitters or just helping out behind the scenes. It reminded me that, as much as I think I’m working for my family, they love being included in the journey too.

Women as CEOs: What Do They Think?

I asked them their thoughts on women being CEOs, and their enthusiasm was immediate.

Bianca: “Girls should be great bosses because they know a lot about business!”

Camilla: “I think it’s great. But I’ve also heard stories from you about men not always treating you nicely because you’re a woman.”

She even recalled a moment when a man assumed my Accidental CEO hat meant I was the CEO of “the house.” (Cue the collective eye roll.)

It was a powerful reminder that our kids are watching. They see the biases, but they also see their mom breaking them.

Final Words for Entrepreneurial Parents

To wrap things up, I asked my daughters if they had any advice for business owners who feel guilty about balancing work and family.

Camilla: “You’re doing great. But maybe once a month, take a whole day off just to spend time with your kids.”

Bianca: “Kids might have their own life, but parents shouldn’t feel guilty because they’re providing for their family. Just make sure to spend some time together.”

And that, right there, is the ultimate takeaway. Our kids aren’t judging us for working hard—they’re watching, learning, and soaking up everything we do. The real trick is to be intentional about the time we do spend together.

Final Thoughts

Bringing my daughters onto the podcast was not only fun, but it also reminded me of something important: They see everything. The struggles, the sacrifices, the wins, the determination—it’s all shaping their understanding of work, leadership, and dreams.

As parents and business owners, we’re not just building something for ourselves; we’re modeling what’s possible for the next generation. So, the next time you’re feeling guilty about working late, remember: Your kids might just be watching, learning, and secretly planning their own business empire right alongside you.

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