Mompreneur Mastery: How Katie Goth Balances Motherhood, Homeschooling, and Running a Growing Nationwide Business

Owning your own business is often portrayed as the ultimate dream: freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment. For Katie Goth, co-founder of Yard deSIGNS, it is all of that but also much more: early mornings, late nights, homeschooling, and the constant balancing act of running a business while raising two young children.

Yard deSIGNS is a woman-owned, family-focused business that creates custom yard greeting displays for birthdays, graduations, school milestones, and special occasions. From designing and delivering to removing the signs, Yard deSIGNS transforms ordinary front yards into celebrations that leave lasting memories. Since its founding in 2018, the company has grown to 25 licensees nationwide, helping families and entrepreneurs bring smiles to their communities.

But success did not come overnight.

Learning the Hard Work Behind the Dream

In theory, starting your own business sounds amazing, Katie says. But behind the scenes, it takes hard work, sweat, tears, and trial and error to make a small business thrive.

For Katie, the motivation comes from her family, her licensees, and the joy she brings to communities. “My husband, my kids, and our licensees are my why. When you feel tired, defeated, or overwhelmed, that support is what pushes you to keep going.”

Running a business while being a mom of two littles means embracing long days and short nights. Katie describes mornings filled with homeschooling, breakfast chaos, and toddler energy, followed by business calls, licensee support, and managing the daily operations of her Lee’s Summit location. “There is no 9-to-5 clock you can punch out of,” she says. “Your business is your personal life, and your personal life is part of your business.”

Running on No Sleep, Learning Boundaries, and Involving Family

One of the biggest lessons Katie has learned is the importance of boundaries and how to enforce them when your business overlaps with your home life.

“You cannot pour from an empty cup,” she says. “Running on no sleep taught me that pushing through is not always the answer. You also need to recharge and set boundaries to be effective for both your family and your business.”

Balance, for Katie, does not mean splitting time equally. It means intentional time and energy. She schedules homeschooling in the mornings, family meals in the evenings, and blocks of time for work in between. She also involves her children in the business, letting them help with small tasks. “Seeing my kids learn about responsibility, creativity, and entrepreneurship is incredible,” she explains. “It gives them confidence and helps them understand the work that goes into running a business while keeping family a priority.”

From Side Hustle to Nationwide Franchise

The Yard deSIGNS journey began in 2017, when Katie’s sister graduated from nursing school. The family wanted a yard sign to celebrate, but local options were not durable enough for Missouri weather. After a failed DIY attempt, Katie’s mom, Becky Johnson, and aunt Tracey Wiley began exploring the idea of creating a weatherproof, customizable yard sign company.

Katie joined them part-time while working a full-time job, using her marketing and event background to help launch the company. The first year, Yard deSIGNS completed 50 signs in May alone. Over the next year, the team refined vendors, customized inventory to withstand any weather, and built a user-friendly online platform.

With growing requests from other cities, they launched a licensee program, allowing entrepreneurs across the country to operate their own Yard deSIGNS location. Today, the company operates in 12 states with 25 locations, helping moms, dads, and women entrepreneurs create flexible careers that fit their families.

Building Reputation Through Community

Katie credits much of Yard deSIGNS growth to community involvement and customer satisfaction. Each display is designed to tell the story of the recipient, creating meaningful experiences for families. “Word-of-mouth is what got us to where we are today”, she says.

Supporting local businesses, partnering with schools, and giving back to the community has also helped the company earn trust and recognition. “Spreading smiles is not just about our signs. It is about relationships, connections, and celebrating people,” Katie explains.

The Reward of Watching Others Succeed

While Katie takes pride in building a successful, woman-owned business, her greatest reward comes from seeing her licensees thrive. Many are moms or parents seeking flexibility to stay home with their kids. “Watching them grow and succeed, seeing them balance work and family, is the most fulfilling part of Yard deSIGNS,” she says.

Katie describes guiding new licensees from their first interview to watching their businesses flourish. Many licensees have been inspired to involve their own children, just as Katie has, letting them learn responsibility, customer interaction, and creativity firsthand. “Helping other entrepreneurs create something that fits their family lives is incredibly rewarding,” she says.

Advice for Aspiring Mompreneurs

Katie’s key advice for other women juggling entrepreneurship and motherhood is simple: figure out your why, set boundaries, and embrace support.

“Success does not happen alone,” she says. “Whether it is your family, your team, or your licensees, having support makes all the difference. Know your why and lean on it. When you do, you can flourish in both your personal life and business.”

Her story is proof that running a business while raising a family, even homeschooling two littles, is possible with hard work, intentional boundaries, and a focus on what truly matters.