A Tribute to Mothers of Entrepreneurs – By Salma Moosa
Today marks two years since my mother left this world. Not a single day has gone by without me remembering her in some form, in a moment of doubt, a spark of courage, or a quiet prayer under my breath. But today, I don’t just remember her as my mother. I remember her as the woman who stood silently beside a risk-taker, me, when I chose the path of entrepreneurship.
We entrepreneurs often speak of co-founders, mentors, and investors who shaped our journey. But rarely do we pause to honour the woman who didn’t choose this road, yet walked every step with us, our mother.
This blog is my tribute. To my mother. To all mothers of entrepreneurs.
When we choose to build something of our own, our mothers don’t necessarily understand the pitch deck or the burn rate, but they understand us. They see their child stepping into the unknown, and something primal awakens in them. A battle. A prayer. A strength.
Here are three unspoken, powerful roles mothers play when their child becomes an entrepreneur:
1. The First Challenger — And the Truest Realist
When we share our dream of starting up, a mother’s first instinct isn’t applause, it’s concern. She’ll question it. She’ll warn us. Not because she doubts our potential, but because she already knows what we’re about to walk into.
Entrepreneurship is not glamorous, not stable, not easy. And a mother senses that.
She tries to reroute us with gentle logic or emotional nudges.
We often misunderstand that. I did.
I thought she didn’t believe in me. But now I know, she believed in me too much to see me hurt.
Today, as a mother to an entrepreneur myself, I feel that exact knot in my stomach when I see my son chase his dreams. I understand now, her “no” wasn’t rejection, it was protection.
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2. The Unseen Shield Against the World
When society whispers behind our backs, when relatives label us as “jobless,” “reckless,” or “lost,” our mothers quietly become our fiercest shields.
They defend us at dinner tables. They absorb judgment silently.
And they never let us hear a word of it, because they know we’re already carrying the weight of our own doubts.
I would visit my Mother, every Friday, post lunch.
Her questions were simple: Are you okay? Are you getting projects? Are you happy?
Behind each of those was a mountain of unspoken worry and unwavering faith.
She never once asked me to prove anything to her. Her pride didn’t come from my success, it came from my effort.
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3. The Emotional Cushion That Never Deflates
Every entrepreneur has lied to their mother at some point.
We tell her things are great when they’re not.
We say “all is well” even when we haven’t paid salaries.
We mask our pain because we want her to worry less.
But somehow, she knows.
And she still listens, still hugs, still holds.
She becomes the only space where we don’t have to wear our “founder face.”
We can break. We can cry. We can be just her child.
That’s what my mother was for me.
And that’s what I try to be today for my own child — even if just in part.
In all the award nights and startup celebrations I’ve seen, I’ve rarely seen a mother on stage.
We felicitate unicorn founders and round-closing heroes.
But what about the woman who quietly held the storm when her child chased an idea?
Where’s her applause? Her medal? Her moment?
Because without her faith, many of us would have given up.
Without her silence, many of us would have crumbled.
Without her strength, many of us wouldn’t be here.
So, if you’re an entrepreneur reading this and if your mother is still around, pause today.
Go hug her.
Tell her you see her.
Tell her you’re grateful.
Tell her she’s been your silent co-founder all along.
And if your mother, like mine, now watches you from above, look up. Smile. Say thank you. Because she still sees you. And if you close your eyes long enough, you’ll feel her hand on your shoulder, steadying you for your next leap.
Today, I don’t just remember my mother.
I honour her.
And through her, I honour all mothers of entrepreneurs, the unsung pillars of our boldest journeys.
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