6. Balancing Entrepreneurship and Parenthood: Building Two Worlds at Once

As any father knows, being a parent isn’t easy. It’s something that you have to have a vision for, work for every day, and be proactive about finding solutions and avoiding pitfalls. Parenting, however, isn’t the only place that describes.

Owning a small business shares many similarities with parenting: You are solely responsible for bringing something to life and giving it a chance to succeed, there’s no manual or guidebook on how to do it, and those who do it best are often the most devoted and consistent.

Our guest on today’s episode of Millennial Dads is CEO of Stern Security and cybersecurity expert, Jon Sternstein. Jon is also the parent of three, a nine, seven and three year old. 

We talk with Jon about balancing the needs for running a business with being a dad. Jon talks about leaving the corporate world at the same time as he and his wife found out they were expecting their first child. Brian also shares some stories about he and Jon’s time growing up in New York.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Millennial Dads Podcast

02:52 Entrepreneurship and Family Life

05:55 Balancing Work and Family

08:56 The Transition to Entrepreneurship

12:01 Daily Routines of a Busy Dad

14:51 Navigating Parenting Styles

18:05 Involving Kids in Work

20:55 Reflections on Parenting and Growth

23:48 The Humor in Parenting

27:12 Closing Thoughts and Advice

40:55 A Serendipitous Meeting

44:45 The Butterfly Effect of Relationships

45:48 Creating a Family Band

49:59 Parental Worries and Responsibilities

52:44 The Simple Joys of Parenting

56:00 Navigating Screen Time and Attention

59:57 The Importance of Connection

01:02:07 Ending on a Light Note