Building a business is hard. Building a business while raising a child, managing a home, and supporting others?

That’s a completely different level. In this episode of Business Mutiny, we sit down with Lucy Piper, co-founder of Any Little Thing, to uncover the real, unfiltered truth about what it takes to build a startup while navigating motherhood, responsibility, and the daily chaos that comes with it.

This isn’t your typical polished “CEO stories” highlight reel.

This is the reality behind entrepreneurship — the late nights, the sacrifices, the doubt, and the resilience it takes to keep going when things feel like they’re falling apart. Lucy shares how she built her business from scratch, starting with nothing but an idea and a desire to make a difference in people’s lives. From cleaning houses and doing odd jobs to building a trusted service supporting elderly and vulnerable people, this is a true how to start a startup story grounded in real life.

We dive into:

What it really looks like to build a business while raising a newborn

The emotional and mental challenges of juggling motherhood and entrepreneurship

Why growth isn’t always about scaling fast — and why slow, sustainable business growth can be more powerful

The importance of having the right support system and mindset

How to push through the moments where you question everything Lucy opens up about the early days of the business — taking her baby to work, balancing clients with childcare, and figuring things out as she went.

There’s no blueprint here. No shortcuts. Just grit, determination, and an entrepreneur mindset that refuses to quit. One of the most powerful themes in this episode is the idea of giving yourself permission to try.

Too often, people hold themselves back — waiting for the “right time,” the “perfect plan,” or external validation. But as Lucy explains, sometimes the hardest part isn’t the work itself… it’s deciding you’re allowed to go for it.

This episode is packed with real, actionable insights for anyone thinking about starting a business, especially parents, founders, or anyone trying to balance life and ambition. We also explore the reality of money matters in business — from starting with zero funding, avoiding debt, and growing organically, to making smart decisions that protect both your business and your personal life. It’s a refreshing take in a world where “scale fast” and “raise big” are often pushed as the only path to success.

If you’re interested in:

• Real CEO stories without the fluff

• How to start a startup from scratch

• Building a business around your life, not the other way around

• Developing a strong success mindset

• Understanding the reality behind entrepreneurship

Then this episode is for you. Lucy’s story is proof that you don’t need everything figured out to begin. You just need to start. 💬

Let us know in the comments: What’s been the hardest part of your journey so far?