Let’s talk about the awkward elephant in the room: pricing.
As parent entrepreneurs, we often fall into the trap of undercharging.
Why?
Because we work “different hours,” we squeeze tasks in between school pick-ups, or we feel guilty that we can’t offer the same 9–5 availability as someone else.
But here’s the truth: your value isn’t measured in hours. It’s measured in outcomes. And when you’re building a business that flexes around family, your pricing needs to reflect that — not apologise for it.
1. The Myth of the “Discounted Parent”
Somewhere along the line, many parent entrepreneurs started believing:
- “If I can’t be available all day, I should charge less.”
- “If I’m working school-hour days, I’m not offering as much.”
- “If I price too high, clients won’t take me seriously.”
Nope. Wrong. Bin that thinking.
You’re not a budget version of an entrepreneur, you’re running a purpose-driven business with premium outcomes. And that’s exactly what your pricing should communicate.
2. Value-Based Pricing: Stop Selling Hours, Start Selling Impact
Here’s the kicker: clients don’t actually care how many hours you spend. They care about results.
- A professional doesn’t want “3 hours of admin.” They want compliant files, happy clients, and less stress.
- An allied health professional doesn’t want “5 hours of emails.” They want seamless scheduling, NDIS paperwork handled, and more billable sessions.
That’s why at Beyond the Maze, we price in packages, not hours. Because no one’s buying a stopwatch – they’re buying outcomes.
3. Boundaries Are Part of the Price Tag
Your time is valuable, but so is your energy and your family life. Pricing with purpose means setting boundaries that protect both.
✔️ Don’t reply to client messages at midnight (unless you’re billing emergency rates 😉).
✔️ Don’t build pricing that requires you to work every weekend.
✔️ Don’t feel guilty about blocking school holidays in your calendar.
Boundaries aren’t “extras” they’re built into the value of your service. When clients pay your rates, they’re also paying for the fact that you’re a human who can sustainably deliver without burning out.
4. Communicating Your Pricing with Confidence
Here’s where many parent entrepreneurs wobble: saying the price out loud.
Try this: instead of nervously whispering your rate like you’re asking for pocket money, confidently state:
💬 “Our package is $697 per month. It includes [list of outcomes]. Clients usually see [insert benefit: faster cash flow, happier clients, more free time].”
See the difference? You’re not just selling “hours.” You’re selling peace of mind. And peace of mind is priceless.
5. Profit with Purpose: Why It Matters
When you charge what you’re worth, you’re not just helping your clients. You’re also:
- Modelling healthy business practices for your kids.
- Creating a sustainable income that supports your family.
- Building a business that grows without draining you dry.
Profit isn’t selfish. Profit gives you freedom. Freedom to be at the school concert, to say yes to family holidays, and to create a business that supports your life, not the other way around.
Conclusion: Your Business, Your Values, Your Price
You didn’t start your business to replicate a corporate job with less pay and more chaos. You started it for freedom, flexibility, and family.
So stop discounting yourself.
Stop selling hours.
Stop apologising for running a business on your terms.
Profit with purpose means building a pricing model that honours your expertise and your family. Because the clients who value that? They’re the ones who’ll stick with you for years.
And those are the only ones worth working with anyway. 😉
