Vancouver Mom to Follow: Gillian Behnke of Mom Camp

Gillian Behnke is a working mama with two kids and an awesome husband, living on the West Coast of Canada near Vancouver. Gillian created Mom Camp out of a need for a break from stress and chaos, wanting to help other moms make their lives more manageable. Mom Camp offers tools, resources, and information to help moms focus on health, energy, and happiness. Gillian shares tips and tools through online platforms and coaching, aiming to help others live the “Mom Camp Life

We had a chat with Gillian Behnke, the founder of Mom Camp, and here is what she had to say

Can you share a little about your business and how the idea came about?

Mom Camp is all about helping moms put themselves on their own priority list. We host weekend retreats that include personal development, delicious food and wine, outdoor activities, movement class, and more.

We also publish the Priority Mom planner, a 90-day undated planner that helps you prioritize your time and energy, helping you plan and organize your days, weeks, and months. And last but not least, we host the Mom Camp: Around The Campfire podcast!

The idea for Mom Camp came about at a particularly stressful time in life and work, when I got a vision for a getaway into the woods where I could immerse myself in personal development, drink great wine, and take time for ME. I knew if I needed something like that, other moms did too, and Mom Camp was born!

Balancing work and life can be challenging. How do you manage your time effectively and maintain a sense of balance as a mother?

I am very careful about what I take on and when, and try hard to manage my capacity. I work full time and also run Mom Camp, so if I know work is heading into a heavy season, I try to be realistic about what Mom Camp work I can take on and get done during that time. I make sure to schedule time for me, and time with my husband. It’s always a work in progress, and sometimes I need to course correct along the way.

What are some of the biggest struggles or challenges you’ve faced as a mompreneur, and how have you overcome them?

Finding time to work on my business alongside being a mom, wife, and with a full time job. When I put my business on a bit of a pause it can sometimes be hard to re-engage and get motivated again, but I now know that I need to connect with other mompreneurs for accountability, and just get started. An object in motion stays in motion!

What advice would you give to other moms who are thinking about starting their own business or are currently juggling entrepreneurship and motherhood?

Be kind to yourself, and give yourself all the grace. Motherhood is amazing but hard, and so is entrepreneurship. Taking on both is a wild ride, but so worth it. Ask for help where you can, and build your network of other moms on the same journey. And if you’re just starting a business, make sure it is something that truly brings you joy. Anything that takes that much time and energy should be something that fills your bucket, not drains it!