Jasmine Keel, of France, with her two children: Calvin (center) and Eva (left).

"When you're self-employed and you are your own boss, it's quite a challenge to tell people you are not actually working on a Saturday at 6 pm, but I find no matter what, I still answer that phone."

And, she says, it's particularly tough in fast-paced Beijing. "People work really hard in Beijing. It's all day, every day; it's late nights and odd hours."

Cooper says that despite the challenges of being a Mumtrepreneur in the capital, it's one of the only places she could strike a reasonable balance between nurturing her company and child.

Now, she works mornings and evenings, reserving afternoons for time with her daughter. "As a single mother back home in the United Kingdom, I would not have had this luxury. I would have had to start much more slowly, building up my own client base in addition to holding a 'proper' job," she says.

"So I am constantly grateful to Beijing for the lifestyle it gives me."

Peel Li says that having grown up in an entrepreneurial family, she understands that the entire family must "get involved" in the business for it to be successful.

She's happy she's able to include her daughter in her work life, she says. Julia helps her mother clean instruments, practice songs and test new activities before they're introduced into the classroom.

"Three-year-olds are really good at keeping you honest, because they call it how they see it," Peel Li says.

"Julia lets me know when I need to refocus; it's easy to slip into working long hours when you are self-employed, and the business side of things can distract you from what is really important.

"She also reminds me that in the end, a love of children and the joy in music are more important than anything else I bring into the classroom every day."