Mums in business: Two "mompreneurs" about their double life

"Being a mum and a businesswoman always means finding a balance, but from my experience I know that you can have it all." With a proud smile, Corinne Semedo talks about what it's like to juggle being a mum and being an entrepreneur. The 31-year-old is a dancer and officially opened her first dance, movement and wellbeing studio in October – a project close to her heart that she shares with her friend and new business partner Véronique Scheer. She nods her head in agreement time and again, as both women can empathise with each other in many ways. Scheer has been teaching as a yoga instructor at the ConfiDance Complex in Steinsel since September, starting a new chapter in her long-standing self-employment.

Both women are so-called "mompreneurs", i.e. mothers who also run their own business – Scheer as a freelancer, Semedo until recently alongside her permanent job as a social worker, which she recently quit. "I've never made a living from dancing, I've always had a fixed salary. With my ConfiDance concept, I initially wanted to build a solid base and financed many of my projects through my income. Now I have to see what happens next for me professionally, " says Semedo, explaining her current situation.

A new generation of mums

Her motto: "believe it till you make it", i.e. believe in your dreams until they come true. It was never her plan that she would one day be at the head of a company – on the contrary: "I didn't want to take on a position of responsibility, because before I started dancing I was quiet and didn't like being the centre of attention. Taking this step scared me terribly." Being a mother has made her stronger and this strength gives her the confidence she needs to face the challenges of entrepreneurship every day.

Scheer also knows how much courage it takes to establish herself as a woman and mother in the Luxembourg economy. "There have been many ups and downs over the past ten years, and last year I was even on the verge of giving up because many things were very difficult after Covid. But then, out of nowhere, Corinne got in touch and here we are today, " says the 37-year-old. Scheer sees the recipe for living as a mumpreneur in shedding familiar patterns and letting go of society's beliefs: "Times have changed. Women no longer all stay at home, but often have jobs and therefore purchasing power, even if many are still not paid the same for their work as their male colleagues."