With Father’s Day around the corner, we wanted to take a moment to reflect with some of our brand founders on the juggle that is fatherhood and social entrepreneurship.
Many talk about the role of feminism being all about women gaining equality. Which it is. But it is also about men – stamping out toxic masculinity, ensuring there’s space for many forms of fatherhood and that it’s not unusual for dads to stay at home with the kids – or spend time with them.
There’s been a backlash against terming dads ‘babysitters’ for their own kids or for praising them for taking on tasks that seem entirely ordinary for mothers to do. And to be honest, we love to see it. Of course, there’s still a way to go. But shedding a light on the reality of raising kids for both mums and dads is part of the process.
With that in mind, we couldn’t not ask our brand founders about their experience of being ‘dad,’ as well as, uniquely, a social impact founder. Read on to hear about it in their own words…
Crumbs Brewing co-founder, Morgan Arnell
I’m a Dad to a 12 year old girl and a 15 year old boy.
I think one way to balance being a Dad and running a business is actually to get the kids involved and to feel like their contributing. I love the fact that they are proud of the brand we’ve created as a family. We brew beer so there are limits but they regularly help with packing, shifting cases and crumbing bread! It can make things that would otherwise be quite mundane actually fun.
Being a Dad (or a parent) is exactly why my wife and I set up our business together. We were fed up of corporate life, commuting and having our time managed by other people. Although running your own business is undoubtedly demanding it is us who are in control. There are so many moments in my kids childhoods that I would have missed if I’d been in a regular 9-5 (school drop offs/ pick ups, performances and sports) that I am so grateful I could be there for. You simply can’t get those moments back, that is what’s precious – not big salaries or fancy job titles.
Harry Specters c0-founder, Shaz Shah
Tough one. Not sure how I managed to do it [balance fatherhood and social entrepreneurship.]
First thing is how much I was passionately involved in all the activities:
- Running a start-up – The company was set-up for our son Ash who has Autism. We wanted to help Ash and others like him. No wonder I was emotionally invested in business.
- Activities for our son – for example, taking Ash for swimming every day or birthday etc. From time to time, these activities were shared with my wife Mona.
- Being Autistic our son is particular about the timing of his meals, going to places etc. Again, these were shared with Mona.
- Me-time – very important – go to man cave, pub, running, swimming, friends, holidays – whatever works.
To sum up, I think three important elements a) emotional investment, b) helping hand is a must, c) me-time.
Being a dad has changed my perspective of, well, everything. My life has changed from being an Electronic Engineer (designing microchips for mobile phones) to running a chocolate business – all because I wanted to create employment opportunity for our son Ash and others like him.
I’m so pleased with my life that I am able to do exactly that. There is nothing like finding your purpose.
Ralph Waldo Emmerson has put his in better words than me: “……to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here. This is to have succeeded.” This quote from RWE is my true religion.
Explore Harry Specters’ range of chocolate boxes, including Father’s Day specials
Spare Snacks founder, Ben Whitehead
It’s not easy to juggle running a start-up with being a dad, but it certainly keeps you on your toes. I have to be very focused and productive with my time. On the one-hand running a start-up gives you the flexibility to be a hands-on dad, but on the other it can also very easily eat into precious family time – finding balance is the key.
Being a dad motivates me to achieve our mission more, because they are going to inherit the planet that we’re trying to help. It also puts everything into perspective – a bad day at the office is nothing compared to the importance of your kids health and well-being.
Also, given how often the kids raid my office for snacks made me realise launching a kids range was an absolute no-brainer. My daughter still thinks I make them exclusively for her. (How do I break it to her?)
Toast Ale co-founder, Rob Wilson
In brief – it’s challenging running a start-up and being a dad . It involves a lot of compromise and workload sharing with my wife, who also runs her own business. Plus, a super understanding and supportive team culture at Toast.
I do school drop off everyday, so the work day doesn’t really start for me until 9.30, and then I try to get back and be present for bath time/bed time (6.30pm) every day. Often it means some extra work after kids bed time and before grown-up bed time.
Being a dad and having a family is amazing. Family ALWAYS comes first.
I would sum it up by saying most of the time I’m exhausted but besotted. I think parenthood has nurtured a level of empathy and compassion in me that I never had before. That can only be a good thing when it comes to working with people professionally.
Though having a 7 year old and 4 year old that talk about beer all the time isn’t necessarily the healthiest dynamic we’re nurturing right now – eeek.
Get to know Toast Ale and their COP26 Rise Up collaboration beers
Still looking for a Father’s Day present? Head to our Father’s Day 2021 gift guide
