Mums Enterprise Ltd

SBT takes a look at the challenges facing mums in business and introduces Mums Enterprise Ltd

By 2025 the ‘mum economy’ will be worth an estimated £9.5 billion, and will create an additional 13,000 jobs, taking the total employed by ‘mumpreneurs’ to approximately 216,700. Despite these influencing figures, very few mums carry out what they want to do in life because of the challenges they face every day. Many mums find that the risk of failure holds them back from starting up a business idea, while lack of confidence can also prevent women reaching their goals; being out of the workplace for some time often knocks a woman’s confidence in her skills and abilities. Time and money also often prevent mums from starting their own business ventures; juggling a house, children and work is one hell of a challenge and many feel that there is never enough time in a day.

The Mums Enterprise Roadshow, coming to Brighton in February 2017, aims to support women with all these challenges and help them start their very own ‘mission to the moon.’ We spoke to Founder of Mums Enterprise Ltd, Lindsey Fish to hear her story and how she managed to overcome the problems mums in business face…

What made you start up your business?

I had my baby Molly in October 2013. When it was time to think about what to do after maternity leave I weighed up all the options. Part-time job locally, return to my city job but drop a day, be a stay at home mum for a few years or start a business. I still had the desire to do something; I didn’t want another child right away so I decided to start planning a business.

How did you overcome ‘The Fear’?

I left school at 16 and did an apprenticeship for an exhibition organiser so I had the ‘event bug’ early and I continued to climb the corporate career ladder in events and marketing. At the time of deciding what to do I felt that all those 14 years working for other companies was all training to get me to this point of planning and launching my own business. It felt like the stars had aligned for me, I felt I was ready and that now as my time. I knew it was risky but I felt confident that I could do.

How do you juggle childcare and business?

When I started up in 2014 Molly only went into childcare 8 hours a week. Now she goes to a childminder for 12 hours a week and the local nursery for 9, when I am extra busy my childminder is so flexible so can take her for longer if need be. The most important thing is being able to manage your own diary, I can decide when my meetings are and have complete control over my day. Usually my routine goes; childcare, work, Molly time, dinner, bath, bedtime. Then I can do more work. It’s up and down and but it works for me. Molly is now 3 and I am actually expecting another baby!

 

Lindsey and Creative Director, Lucy Chaplin are bringing the Mums Enterprise Roadshow to the AMEX Stadium on Thursday 23^rd February 2017. It is THE event for mums on a mission whether you are starting-up, growing or just not-knowing. The event is FREE to attend and is totally child-friendly. For more information or to register at www.mumsenterprise.events/visit