Horrified with the impact 3 billion nappies and 11 billion wet wipes a year were having in the UK, Laura Crawford, decided not to return to her previous role as a Management Consultant in the Banking industry after her maternity leave, but to launch her own B-Corp sustainable business. Born from the idea that our babies’ should not have to wear cheap plastic and start their early lives negatively impacting their future world, Laura developed a healthier, more natural, sustainable nappy and wet wipe. 

Laura has grown the company to its present £1m turnover with a strong loyal subscriber base. The company has benefitted from +£1 million of investment and recently expanded the product range and launched a marketing campaign to take the brand more mainstream and available.  

Laura continues to manage the product range development and certifications, alongside the wider company strategy, sales and marketing activities. Her focus extends beyond the development of greener products, to the global issue of circularity for nappies and wipes; running the #thenappyrevolution campaign and partnering with UCL, Imperial College, Hompost, Envar and Green Bums, Lauraaims to implement a nationwide solution to ensure no compostable product goes into the landfill waste stream in future.

1. Can you share your journey of starting your own business while being a mother?

The concept for Mama Bamboo came about because of my own dissatisfaction with the products available whilst my children were babies; it seemed to be a choice between sustainability, performance and convenience. I wanted all 3. So I decided to start my own brand. I spent 9 months researching fabrics and manufacturing, and got a product in sample production that k was happy with. But I had two small children at home and I simply couldn’t throw myself into a new business straight away. I waited until my youngest was 3 before I really launched Mama Bamboo. Since then the business has grown but we’ve managed to grow in line with a core value regarding family flexibility. All employees work part time with flexible work arrangements. It gets tricky during school holidays and I’m constantly aware that our working patterns do hold the business growth back, but it’s the best we can do at this stage.

2. What challenges have you faced as a mother in the business world, and how did you overcome them?

We do get pressure from consumers to be more available and faster to respond. Our service to consumers is actually really good; every email is answered within 24 hours, including weekends, and deliveries are made within 3-5 days, but it’s never enough. The world has grown accustomed to the Amazon model; responses within 20 minutes, 247 including Christmas Day and same day delivery. As a small business, and a parent, it just isn’t feasible to meet these demands. The pressure can also come from other businesses; suppliers and agencies. If they work longer hours, they do expect you to as well and it can be difficult to manage to those expectations.

3. How do you balance the demands of running a successful venture with your role as a mother?

In all honesty, I put the kids first and the business second. This has slowed our growth and often means business projects take longer than they should/could. It definitely limited our expansion curve. I recognise that in someone else’s hands the business would be far beyond its £1m turnover by now. It took me a while to reconcile myself to that fact, as I’m a naturally ambitious person. We now have more modest growth goals which enables us to expand and strengthen the business each year, whilst maintaining our personal integrity regarding family commitment.

4. What strategies or tips have you used to effectively manage your time and prioritize both your family and your business?

I use an AI driven scheduling tool to ensure I’m the most productive I can be during my working hours. And I’ve surrounded myself with other highly capable people, who I rely on to really own their areas. I don’t have any time to micro manage others, so trust is paramount.

But I won’t lie, running a business and being a hands-on parent, is not for the faint hearted. I’m properly exhausted by my work load and schedule most of the time. The greatest tip I can share is having the humility to recognise that unless you’re a brain surgeon, your work stuff often isn’t life or death; deadlines can move, meetings can be rescheduled. I used to run myself ragged meeting everyone’s expectations and never letting anyone down, and felt like my work was of ultimate importance. As time has gone on, I’ve realised that sometimes asking people for an extra day to finish something off because your child was ill or god-forbid saying “no” to some requests for your time, is actually ok.

5. Have you encountered any biases or stereotypes as a mother in the business world, and how have you dealt with them?

I don’t really feel like I’ve experienced any bias directly due to being a parent. I definitely used to experience more bias and stereotyping as a young, female in the banking and IT sector in my twenties. I’m older and grumpier now I’m in my 40’s so I think I probably put a swift stop to any chirpy comments these days. Most people back down pretty quick if you call them out on their BS.

6. How has being a mother positively impacted your business and your overall perspective on success?

In my business, being a parent is essential to understanding and being able to communicate with our clients. The intensity of that first 24 months of parenthood can only be understood if you’ve gone through it yourself. The worries, the anxiety, the exhaustion, the love, the joy, the sheer all encompassing single minded purpose to protect these tiny humans. Any business will tell you, you need to understand your customer, and for us that’s absolutely essential.

7. What advice would you give to other mothers who aspire to start their own businesses or pursue entrepreneurial ventures?

All the usual business advice; plan, research, create a real business case, get familiar with finances, talk to business advisors, ask at your local university enterprise hub or local council business hub. And as a parent, be realistic. How much time are you willing or able to commit at the start and will this change within a few years’ time? Who do you know who might join you or support you with a specific aspect of your plan? It’s amazing how many acquaintances at playgroups or school gates, are fully qualified experts who also don’t fit into the full time corporate model. And finally, regular check in with yourself to evaluate your values-fit, well-being and mental health. It won’t be for everyone but I’d also advise considering a partner. I brought in my oldest friend to co-manage Mama Bamboo and it’s been my saving grace. Everyone should have a bestie at work.

Award-Winning Bamboo Eco Nappies & Baby Wipes | Mama Bamboo

The post Fantastic Female – Laura Crawford, CEO and Founder of Mama Bamboo first appeared on MUMFORCE.

Meet Claire Rodrigues Lee, a married mother of two, international songwriter, and the visionary founder of the fashion accessories brand Neon Army. Claire’s inspiring journey began at 34 when she emerged from a challenging relationship, rebuilding her life from scratch. Empowered by love, parental support, and the transformative principles of ‘The Secret,’ Claire overcame fear and pursued her passion for music.

Radiating positivity, Claire secured a chance with a music publisher, leading to hit records across the globe. The pandemic shifted her role from songwriter to full-time mom and teacher, sparking the birth of Neon Army. Fueled by her struggle to find unique, affordable fashion during lockdown, Claire crafted one-of-a-kind pieces. Recognizing a shared desire for exciting and representative fashion, Neon Army was born in December 2021.

Claire’s brand is infused with personal significance; the number 222, a constant in her journey since 34, symbolizes Neon Army’s birth on 22.2.22. With a mission to create vibrant, unique accessories and convey a powerful message, Neon Army encourages individuals to embrace their uniqueness, believe in their dreams, and manifest their visions. Claire’s story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the boundless possibilities that come with unwavering belief in oneself.

1. Can you share your journey of starting your own business while being a mother?

I love being a mum and my children are my priority but being a mum didn’t stop me from being me.  I’m still the same girl who has dreams and ambitions and I realise how challenging that becomes once you have a family.  

It’s not always easy to commit to things if you can’t arrange childcare and you only have short windows in your day where you can work around school drop off, pick up, homework, dinner and bath time.  I’ve been guilty of being on my laptop or phone late into the night once the children go to bed and it can catch up with you over time.

As a creative, I’m someone who needs an outlet for my creative energy which is how Neon Army began.

Prior to having my children, I was riding on the wave of songwriting success, accumulating over 20 number 1 hits worldwide specialising in the K-pop, J-pop and C-Pop market.  I was dipping in and out of songwriting through having both my children but then it came to a sudden halt when covid hit.

Suddenly stuck behind 4 walls and my whole life was planning meals and activities all day, every day in Groundhog Day.  Though no work was coming in, I had a home studio and was able to work on new material if I wanted to but there was no inspiration or fire inside of me because I was exhausted.  

Like the rest of the world, I turned to online shopping for something to do but realised there was nothing I loved, different or exciting within a reasonable price bracket.

I decided to close my laptop and turned to my wardrobe to see how I could upcycle what I already had.  By using paints and trimmings, I started to inject new life into my clothes and accessories.

As a huge advocate for the laws of attraction, I could see a pattern emerging of this influence over my designs and when lockdown measures began to lift, people would comment on my creations.  This became a lightbulb moment for me.  Maybe there’s more to this?

I started drawing designs and making notes on my phone, then researched manufacturers who could bring my drawings to life, the name Neon Army just appeared in my mind and made so much sense for so many reasons.  Suddenly the fire was back inside me and I knew this was a journey I had to see through.

2. What challenges have you faced as a mother in the business world, and how did you overcome them?

Challenges are working around the children. I haven’t faced any negativity because I’m a mum.  I think people tend to embrace it, respect it and understand it.

I have a supportive husband and fantastic parents and in laws, but they can’t always help when I need so I can only arrange things in advance to make sure the children are taken care of.  I can’t just be somewhere at the click of a finger.

3. How do you balance the demands of running a successful venture with your role as a mother?

I always make sure when the children are home, I’m present and in the moment with them.  I admit, it’s not always easy when an important email comes in and I feel the need to respond.  The children understand that mummy works and sometimes, they need to just give me a little bit of time for a call or an email or to walk to the post office with me to ship orders.

I only had one important team meeting throughout the whole Summer and explained to the children, mummy just needs half an hour for this call, it’s important to me and then I’m all yours, all day.  My son decided he would cry outside my door for the entire call.  

Sometimes it feels lonely, sometimes I’m exhausted but for anything good in life, I think you need to endure the challenges to make you appreciate the rewards even more.

4. What strategies or tips have you used to effectively manage your time and prioritize both your family and your business?

When my children are home, they are the priority.  During the school holidays, I make it work.  So long as the children are happy then I am too.

I think it’s healthy for children to see that both parents are ambitious and hardworking, so it instils that ethic in them.  Also, as I mentioned earlier, having a great family support system means I can host pop up shops and have meetings.  I realise I’m very fortunate for that as not everyone does.

5. Have you encountered any biases or stereotypes as a mother in the business world, and how have you dealt with them?

I haven’t encountered any of the above.  I’ve actually had incredible support from Fenwick Brent Cross as they respect that I can only host pop up shops when I have cover for the children and they allow me to choose when I host there which is wonderful.  

My husband Ryan also encourages me, so I think having that support system at home really helps. 

6. How has being a mother positively impacted your business and your overall perspective on success?

I hope to show my daughter that life doesn’t have to stop when you have children.  That it’s okay to be a mum and a businesswoman at the same time and you don’t need to feel guilty for it. 

Neon Army is all about positivity and our products have positive affirmations on them.  As a mum, I’m always affirming my children and reminding them of how special they are and that they can do or achieve anything in life if they put their mind to it.

Neon Army is accessible to all, and I hope to spread that message loud and clear throughout the products.

My view on success is this, I’m already successful.  I didn’t allow fear to hold me back from starting this business and the fact that I’m running all aspects of the business by myself is an achievement.  I’ve learned so much, things I never thought were possible, but I made them possible and it’s okay to be proud of yourself.  If you don’t back yourself, no one else will. We define success.  Success doesn’t define us.

7. What advice would you give to other mothers who aspire to start their own businesses or pursue entrepreneurial ventures?

I have a motto.  There is no failure in not succeeding.  Only failure in not trying.  Believe in yourself and listen to your gut.  It won’t let you down.

Instagram www.instagram.com/neonarmyofficial

Website www.neonarmyofficial.com

Facebook- www.facebook.com/neonarmyofficial

Linkedin – Claire Rodrigues Lee

The post Fantastic Female – Claire Rodrigues Lee from Neon Army first appeared on MUMFORCE.

By Judy Piatkus, author of ‘Ahead of Her Time; How a One-Woman Startup Became a Global Publishing Brand’.

All mothers feel guilt sometimes.  For women hoping to become mothers, or who already have families, the challenge of running your own business and bringing up a family at the same time is a complex one. But if you are truly doing your best, there’s no need to beat yourself up. 

I believe that when you truly set your intention to build your own business, and when you determine that nothing is going to stand in your way, you are already one solid step on the road to success.

The freedom payoff

One of the most important advantages of being an entrepreneur is that, while you might be working longer and harder than ever before, you do have the freedom to set your own hours. You might have to answer emails before everyone gets up or after they have gone to bed. But it’s a small price to pay for having control over your own time.

Takeaway:  Being your own boss is the best kind of freedom.

Focus on being happy

When I was in my late teens, I knew that I didn’t want to be a stay-at-home mum. My own mother, a woman with many talents, had been an unfulfilled and frustrated housewife and I didn’t want that for myself.  I have always believed that a happy loving mother will be well-placed to create a happy home life for her family.  

We are not all in a position to choose to be happy, but I made up my mind that I would do my best. I wanted a happy life and that was my goal. It helped that I have a naturally optimistic temperament. I married in my early twenties, and when, a decade later, it became obvious to both of us that our relationship was no longer working, it seemed better to me that we should separate and not stay together ‘for the sake of the children’.

Takeaway:   Every family is unique. We cannot know in advance what the impact of separation and divorce will be on our children. But life is never easy for children growing up with quarrelsome parents.

You can’t predict everything you will face

I had not expected to find myself a single working mother with three young children. It wasn’t easy, and this was compounded by my oldest child, my first-born daughter, being disabled.  She has cerebral palsy, is non-verbal and unable to walk.

Of course, I would get stressed overwhelmed and angry some days. But it never lasted for long and we’d all soon make it up. I didn’t have a problem apologising to them and they usually understood what part they had played.  My younger daughter always said she wouldn’t refer to her own children as being ‘over-tired’ at bed-times but of course, when she became a mother, that resolution didn’t last very long. So even the best of intentions don’t always work out the way you plan – even when you think you’ve been forewarned! Don’t beat yourself up.  

Takeaway: There will always be days when everyone is stressed, argumentative and tired. Always acknowledge this so that everyone’s feelings are recognised.

Challenges come and go

My most challenging times were the periods between nannies starting and leaving. Someone always needed to be waiting for my older daughter who would be brought home at 4pm every day in the school-bus. And later, when she moved into a home, someone had to be waiting at the bus-stop to meet my younger daughter before she was old enough to walk home on her own. There were no mobile phones then so no one could text if there were delays.  Now mobile phones make it so much easier for parents and children to communicate when they need to during the day and especially if you can’t be at the school-gate. 

Takeaway: Recognise that nothing is static. You may overcome one challenge only to be faced with another. This is normal and every entrepreneurial parent will go through these cycles. So recognise them for what they are, and take them in your stride.

No need to feel guilty

I think the most important thing a working parent needs to try to do is to avoid feeling guilty. Women have been working in fields, factories and offices throughout history.  Few women have had the luxury of sitting at home, able to enjoy playing with their children without a preponderance of household tasks.  Landed gentry had staff to help with childcare while many women who were able to look after their children all day often wished they had the opportunity to go to work.  

Takeaway: Throughout history women have worked a double shift to put food on the table and to give their children a good start in life.  Wanting to work, for whatever reason, is perfectly normal.

Setting a good example

Every one of us is born with unique gifts and talents and we need to find how to use and benefit from our skills and capabilities in order to lead our own rewarding and fulfilling life.  By doing that, we set our children a good example of how to work hard in order to enjoy what we do, which gives our lives meaning and purpose.  Children of working parents often become more independent and capable at a younger age than some of their peers who have so much done for them.

Takeaway:  Entrepreneurial parents demonstrate leadership, managing responsibility and solving problems.

Feeling alive

Being an entrepreneur is one of the most exciting experiences that life has to offer.  You have complete freedom to create your product and service in the way that you want to.  It is exciting, rewarding and also nerve-wracking. But you will feel truly alive while you are doing it. And if you become an entrepreneur because you have no other choice, the successes you may achieve could be all the sweeter as it wasn’t what you had planned to do with your life.  If your business becomes successful, you will likely be able to sell it and have sufficient money to explore other dreams.

Takeaway:  Entrepreneurship encourages you to feel fully alive.

The right mindset

Whether you already have a business and have struggled through lockdown juggling the needs of the business with home schooling, or perhaps this last year has awakened within you a dream to start your own business – your mindset now becomes crucial.  Do your homework, focus on what you want to achieve and persevere while, at the same time, being prepared to be flexible and collaborative.  Your mind is the most powerful tool you have so programme it for success.

Takeaway:  Believe in yourself and your ability to keep going, no matter what hurdles are in your way.

Working as a team

Always get your partner, if you have one, on side first. When the two of you are working as a team and supporting one another, everything is possible. Next, look to your second line of defence, family members living nearby, helpful neighbours, schoolfriends’ parents. All these people need to form your support group and be there to back you up when you need them, and in turn you have to be there to do the same for them when times are tough.  With your support network in place – and without family and friends, you may have to employ someone – then you are equipped to achieve great heights.

Takeaway:  Cherish the people in your support network. Life will be much harder without them.

External support

Never has there been more support for people who want to start their own business. There are books and courses, podcasts and lectures, consultants and mentors.  Everything you need to know can be found on the internet.  Local and online community groups and networks are there to speed you on your way.  This is truly the best time in history to get help as you work to build your company.

Takeaway:  Never be too shy to ask for help.  There are always people willing and ready to support courageous entrepreneurs.

Every decade has its advantages and disadvantages

When I founded my publishing business in the 1980s I was able to employ a full-time nanny because it was legal to offset the cost of her employment against my business.  But there was so much prejudice – sometimes unconscious, but always there – against working women that I was always guarded about mentioning my family during my working day. Being a working mother could have been held against me in ways I might never have dreamed of.

Times have changed and now a woman running her own business is no longer unusual. In fact, more new businesses have been registered by women in 2021 than ever before.  But for entrepreneurs with children, unless you have a stay-at-home and supportive partner, there will always be additional challenges. But that is no reason to wait: get started now.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Judy Piatkus is author of ‘Ahead of Her Time; How a One-Woman Startup Became a Global Publishing Brand’. Judy is an entrepreneur, publisher and business coach specialising in conscious leadership. She founded Piatkus Books when she was in her 20s and grew the company to become an international brand, before selling it in 2007, just before the global financial crash that she had shrewdly foreseen. She is now a keynote speaker and a coach and mentor to start-ups. In 2011 she founded Conscious Café, a network that brings people together for connection and discussion.  www.judypiatkus.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/judypiatkus

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/judy.piatkus/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judypiatkus/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judypiatkus/

MORE FANTASTIC FEMALES HERE

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Home Styling Inspiration: 5 Instagram & TikTok accounts to Follow

Are you a house-proud homeowner? Our homes are meant to be a reflection of our personalities, mirroring our warmth, tastes, and styles. But did you know that by snapping pictures of your interior design skills, you could increase your following and engagement on social media?

We already know about celebrity influencers using their social media accounts to promote products and further their personal brand. Celebrity influencers such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Ariana Grande, and Kylie Jenner have millions of followers, engaging with their fans by sharing aspects of their life.

However, everyday people are now sharing their homes and lives on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. You’ll find a range of DIY projects, cleaning tips and tricks, and even some interior design inspiration. But what makes a great home account?

Here, we explore the home influencers with great engagement rates across social media, and how they can inspire your own home account.

Our favourite home accounts

Many of us share our lives on Instagram and TikTok. From fancy meals, vacation snaps, and our pets, the things we love feature prominently on our profiles. However, sharing images and videos of your home could be a great way to earn a following. In fact, some people do this for a living. Here are some engaging Instagram and TikTok home accounts for you to take inspiration from.

Home Styling Inspiration: 5 Instagram & TikTok accounts to Follow

1.      Holly and Brad: @ourfauxfarmhouse on Instagram

Holly and Brad run an Instagram page named Our Faux Farm. The page shares various aspects of their lifestyle, DIY projects, and interior design choices. With 1.1 million followers, the page has an impressive engagement rate of 5.93 per cent, meaning that a good percentage of their followers are actively reacting and engaging with their content. This demonstrates that their ideas are clearly popular.

The couple embraces a bohemian style of living, using neutral and light tones that favour simplicity without sacrificing comfort and style. Natural wood features heavily in this barnyard style open home, with oak beams, flooring, and furniture tying the room together.

2.      Matt Mellor: @mattmellorr on TikTok and Instagram

If you’re looking to see how the other half live, you may enjoy browsing pictures and videos by Matt Mellor on Instagram and TikTok. Matt, alongside partner (and also influencer) Summer Newman, shares tours of luxury apartments and homes across the UK. Matt’s tours include guides around Welsh castles, mansions, and even yachts.

No matter your home-styling tastes, there’s something for everyone on Matt’s TikTok and Instagram, where the variety of home styles display a range of aesthetics for you to take inspiration from. So, whether you enjoy sleek modern furnishings, classic character, or something a little different, Matt and Summer have something for you. With over 307,700 followers on TikTok, Matt receives around 1,230 likes per video. His video tours are certainly engaging.

3.      Sophie Hinchliffe: @mrshinchhome in Instagram

Sophie Hinchliffe, aka The Queen of Clean, has amassed over 4.1 million followers on Instagram as well as publishing three number one bestselling books. As her monarchic title suggests, Hinch likes to keep things clean. Keeping an orderly home, her furnishings follow a monochromatic style, with plush rugs, chairs, and beds, and well-polished mirrors throughout.

With an engagement rate of 10.29 per cent, @mrshinchhome is one of the most engaged-with Instagram home accounts. Her fans and popularity have even landed her a spot on ITV’s This Morning, sharing her ideas on how to keep a great home.

4.      St. Modwen Homes: @stmodwenhomes on TikTok

If you’re looking for some new-build home inspiration, where better to look than national housebuilder St. Modwen Homes? Its TikTok account is filled with brand-new interior design ideas that you could adapt for your own home. The way we view homes is changing, so whether you want to see new builds in Wantage or maybe even houses in Eastwood, all you have to do is jump on social media for a video tour.

The housebuilder has an impressive engagement rate of 3.55 per cent, showing how its followers are loving the various showhome tours and the  different interior design schemes.

5.      Angela Rose: @angelarosehome on Instagram

With 1.2 million followers on Instagram, Angela Rose is one of the biggest home influencers. Her home combines modern aesthetics with nostalgic elements. Her kitchen uses bright marble countertops and prioritises natural light in the room, while cabinets are painted in rustic forest green with aged brass cup handles.

Overall, 10.4 per cent of Angela’s followers regularly interact with her page, proving how her sleek style has inspired other budding home designers.

If you think your house could help you to become an influencer or boost your social media engagement rate, nothing is stopping you from snapping a few photos and videos and posting them on online. Share your DIY skills, cleaning tips, and favourite furnishings, and build up your own community of engaged followers. Who knows? You could become the Kylie Jenner of the home-owning world.

Home Styling Inspiration: 5 Instagram & TikTok accounts to Follow

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jun/30/cristiano-ronaldo-shoots-to-top-of-instagram-rich-list

https://www.instagram.com/ourfauxfarmhouse/

https://www.tiktok.com/@jettsetfarmhouse

https://www.instagram.com/mrshinchhome/

https://www.tiktok.com/@stmodwenhomes

https://www.instagram.com/angelarosehome/

https://influencermarketinghub.com/instagram-money-calculator/

https://influencermarketinghub.com/tiktok-money-calculator/

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By Kim Brookes, Perfino

One of life’s great pleasures is the smell of nature. In an ideal world I would walk around with a rose permanently under my nose, but as that is somewhat impractical, I have for years turned to essential oils as the closest substitute for the real thing.

As with everything, you get what you pay for when you buy essential oils. Rose Otto, otherwise known as Rose essential oil, retails at around £48 for 2.5ml, which is half a teaspoon. This may surprise you if you are used to buying affordably priced oils claiming to be Rose, Neroli, or Jasmine, three of the most expensive essential oils on the market. If it’s affordable, it’s generally not the real thing.

Why is it so expensive? 

Well, consider how it is made. It takes around 10,000 roses to produce 5ml (a whole teaspoon!) of this precious oil or, put another way, 5 dozen roses to produce a single drop.

Rose essential oil is extracted through steam distillation. The harvesting of flowers is traditionally done by hand in the morning before sunrise. Large stills, traditionally made of copper, are filled with the roses and water. The still is then fired for an hour or so. The vapourised water and rose oil leaves the still, enters a condensing apparatus, and is then collected in a flask. This yields a very concentrated oil. Water condenses with oil and is then drained off and distilled again. The two collections, once combined, make the final rose essence, or Rose Otto essential oil.

This process is very ancient, having its origins in Persia, andtoday takes place mainly in Kanzanlak in Bulgaria, Kannaujin India, and of course Grasse in France.

The super expensive Rose Otto is typically only used in aromatherapy, where it is diluted with a carrier oil. Like most essential oils, it should never be applied undiluted directly onto the skin. Aromatherapists love it as the distillation process is said to keep the therapeutic and vibrational qualities intact, but it does produce a less intense scent when compared to Rose Absolute, which is favoured in the perfume industry and is slightly more affordable at around £23 for half a teaspoon!

An Absolute, which again you may be familiar with as a Rose oil, is traditionally made using the enfleurage method. Enfleurage is a very old technique of extracting oils from very delicate flowers such as Rose, Tuberose or Jasmine, and was popularized in France during the nineteenth century. It works on the simple principle that animal fat, or beeswax, dissolvesessential oils and thereby absorbs their aromas. The flowers, again hand-picked, are placed between layers of the fat or beeswax, repeatedly, over several days, until the fat becomes saturated with flower oil, producing a “pomade”. To extract the Absolute the fat or wax is then dissolved in alcohol, et voila!

This is the most labour intensive, and time-consuming way to make an Absolute but it is the only way possible for some of nature’s most delicate flowers, and so the price for the real thing stays high.

The good news, and to the delight of anyone with Vegan leanings, and in a world increasingly reluctant to use animal by-products, organic solvent extraction is now a commonly used technique for extracting this form of aromatic. The raw materials are submerged and agitated in a solution or bath that is capable of dissolving the desired aromatic compounds. The price remains as high as we are still dealing with vast quantities of handpicked ingredients to yield the oil, but it is arguably kinder to the environment.

The price of Rose Absolute can come down even further when carbon dioxide extraction is used. In this method the CO₂ is put under high pressure. This turns it into a liquid, and this combines with the plant matter and acts as a solvent extracting the oils or resin. It operates at lower temperatures with no toxins and is therefore the cleaner way of producing essential oil. When the CO₂ is brought back to natural pressure it returns to its natural state leaving the resulting pure oil.

As you can see, any Rose oil should be respected as the process—whichever one it has been through—produces a very precious oil and one that should command a high price. The best essential oils are grown sustainably, imported bywholesalers who regularly inspect not only the growing methods but also the work practices of the farmers or growers and have a historical and regular relationship with the growers. 

Not surprisingly, with any product that is expensive,counterfeits abound. An expert will know whether an essential oil is the real thing, but there are plenty of synthetically produced replicas claiming to be the real thing at a reduced price, so it is important to know who you are buying from andto check their credentials. They may not disclose the exact source, but they should disclose the country of origin, and the best suppliers will have a sustainability strategy. A sustainably sourced and correctly priced essential oil is providing jobs and incomes to growers and pickers around the world, quite often in deprived environments, so I, for one, am very particularabout the oils I buy. 

Roses are grown annually and can be repeatedly harvested, but there are less fruitful plants that are more difficult to harvest, and it is critical that they are protected to ensure sustainability of the species. One such plant is Frankincense.

Frankincense, with its name derived from the old French “franc encens”, has been used for many years as incense andas a symbol of holiness as it is so wonderfully fragrant when it is burned. The oil is derived from the resin of the super hardy Boswellia tree, which typically grows in the dry, mountainous regions of India, Africa and the Middle East, often in places that are difficult to get to. It takes 8 to 10 years before the tree, when tapped, yields the streaks of resin, known as tears. Wild harvested by making perforations into the bark of the trunk, the tears are collected and then steam distilled to produce the essential oil. 

Experts say that the tree should be cut no more than 12 times a year to keep them healthy. When cut, resin leaks out and,much like a scab, protects the tree from infection so the wound can heal. But if this happens too much, and the healing resin is removed, the tree will ultimately suffer and die. In the mountain regions of countries like Somalia this is difficult to monitor as the trees grow in areas with harsh climates, often plagued by poverty and conflict, and may be the only source of income for local people.

Thousands of tons of frankincense is traded every year to be used by priests as incense, natural medicines, and essential oils. It goes without saying that anyone sourcing Frankincense should be sure that it is being sourced sustainably. Frankincense trees aren’t covered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the global treaty that regulates cross border trade in plants and animals, although experts argue that Boswellia species meet the criteria for protection. 

In Somaliland it is illegal to overharvest trees, and in Oman some trees are located in World Heritage sites that protectthem by law, but in other countries such as Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan, where two thirds of Frankincense come from, the tree is threatened by over tapping and habitat loss. So, it is important to find a supplier in whom you have confidence that the sourcing is ethical and sustainable. Once again, the cheap versions are usually cheap for a reason.

A very similar dilemma exists for Rosewood, the world’s most trafficked item, even more than ivory.

In the case of Rosewood, CITES has put restrictions on the trade of all 300 species, in an attempt to clamp down on illegal logging of this timber. Having plundered the forests of Southeast Asia to virtual extinction traffickers have turned to West Africa and Central America for the prized timber. The good news is that reputable suppliers of this essential oil will always sell it with a CITES certificate so you can trace the origin of the Rosewood oil you are using and be sure it is grown and harvested sustainably.

The situation is similar for Sandalwood, a vulnerable species, but one that is prized in perfumery for its heartwood and roots. As a result of uncontrolled harvesting in India, where it is highly valued for its use in perfumes, soaps, incense, cosmetics and medicines, it is increasingly being grown under governmental protection. India has imposed an export ban on Sandalwood and instigated conservation measures to protectthis species in their country. Sandalwood is now mainly grown sustainably in plantations in Australia, so again you need to be sure where your Sandalwood oil is being sourced if you really care about sustainability.

Happily, the horror stories of man abusing nature arecounterbalanced by the occasional success story, where plants have been grown sustainably and in a controlled fashion, and man has applied his ingenuity for good. Vetiver is one such success story.

You may have heard of Vetiver in the context of perfumery. It has a wonderful woody, earthy base note, predominantly used in men’s fragrances. Vetiver is a tall grass. It can grow up to five feet, but more importantly the root structure can grow to a depth of 20 feet, which makes it fantastic at preventing soil erosion and promoting soil conservation. It is grown all over the world for a multiplicity of uses from basket weaving to Ayurvedic medicine, and as it can be planted and harvested in a two-year cycle, is a very sustainable product and one that provides tremendous support to agriculture practices andearnings around the world.

In Haiti, Vetiver is grown as a cash crop for the essential oils found in the roots, produced through steam distillation after much washing and drying to remove impurities and enhance the natural oil production. 

Another of my great favourites, a plant grown sustainably, with multiple uses, which provides agricultural earnings in parts of the world where this is much needed, is Vanilla. 

Vanilla has a particular place in history as it was the plant that kicked off man’s understanding of propagation. In the old days, wars were fought to own the land where prized spices could grow. After many years of fighting, the English finally traded the Banda Islands, the sole source of their prized Nutmeg, to the Dutch who gave them a small island called Manhattan in exchange. That was before Edmond Albius, a slave and horticulturist from Reunion, at the age of twelve, invented a technique for pollinating Vanilla orchids quickly and profitably. Albius’ technique revolutionised the cultivation of Vanilla and made it possible to grow Vanilla beans away from their native Mexico. Today nearly all Vanilla is pollinated using Albius’ technique and it has generated a world leading crop for Madagascar. 

Despite this sustainable agricultural practice, Vanilla essential oil is still expensive as it is produced by Maceration. This is a very lengthy process as the raw material is first dried, soaked in a solvent for up to three years, and then dried for a further two years to allow the material to ferment. It is then cleaned with a solvent to isolate the pure essence. 

This is the antithesis of the simplest of extraction methods, Expression, known to you and me as squeezing, is largely used for citrus essential oils such as Mandarin, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime. These oils tend to be cheaper and, as theytypically dissipate quickly, are generally used as top notes. As we all know, these fruits grow sustainably and plentifully close to home.

So, it’s a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to essential oils and their sustainability. Be sure you check the provenance of your oils, trust who you are buying from, and above all, use these precious oils with the respect they deserve.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kim Brookes is the founder of Perfino, an innovative natural scent jewellery brand. Perfino combines expertly blended, 100% natural, pure essential oils with exquisite jewellery so you can wear scent all day long without any chemicals touching your skin. The solid recycled silver and 18ct gold vermeil, artisan designed pendant comes with six lava stones and 10ml of carefully blended natural essential oils – all sourced from sustainable growers. One drop of oil on the stone in the pendant will give you a delicate fragrance that can last for days. 

Web: https://www.perfino.co.uk

Twitter: @Perfino2 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perfinouk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfinouk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-brookes-9b41b11

The post Where do essential oils come from and how sustainableare they? first appeared on MUMFORCE.

Christelle is also a makeup artist (for fashion, film and TV industry), writer (screen and stage) and performer based in Bristol. Christelle’s professional background also includes working in the education sector for over 15 years undertaking programme/project management roles with an international focus. 

Christelle is also co-director of a small theatre company called Black Women Let Loose Theatre Company and they write, perform, produce and direct their own materials. 

Christelle’s writing is based on her experience as a Black woman living in the diaspora and as a transracial adoptee, exploring issues of identity, memory and displacement and she is inspired by African culture, traditions and mythologies.

Christelle Pellecuer is the Founder and Creative Director at Razana Afrika.

How did you balance being a mother and professional? (don’t worry if you are not a mum, just miss this question)

I don’t know if I ever got the balance right. My daughter was 3 months old when I started university and she was about 3 years old when I started working. As a single mother it was the hardest thing to balance motherhood and professional life. You want to be around to see your child growth while at the same time you must earn a living. I guess you just try to do the best you can with the resources and support you have at the time. Now it is a lot easier as my daughter is all grown up, at university and living her own life.

What have you sacrificed (both personally and professionally) at each stage of your career? 

Earlier in my career, I was travelling a lot abroad and I sacrificed some time with my daughter while I was away. Later in life, I would say that I sacrificed a lot of my personal time and my health because I was trying to please people and I didn’t know how to say no and at time I burnout from overworking while in corporate environment.

Who inspired you and why?

I am inspired by women who are unapologetic about who they are, who live in their own power and within their truth and with integrity. Miriam Makeba is one of my life inspirations. She was unapologetic about her African identity and about her belief despite the consequences of having to exile away from her South African country and the detriment to her career. She was not afraid to live in their own term and not constraint by what society dictated at the time.

What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?

Know your own boundaries and learn to say “no”. Having personal boundaries is so important in order to identify your priorities, to choose how you spend your time and to create a healthy working environment.

Do you think women feel intimidated in business?

I guess this depend on the specific work environment, but women could feel intimidated if working in male-dominated industry for example. In such environment women might face sexism, having to prove they are as good as the men and with not much support their managers. In addition of not being valued or promoted, they face unequal pay and have family responsibilities. So, it is really easy to feel intimidated. It is important for women to values themselves and know their strengths and weaknesses and seek for employers who values their employees based on their strength and not their gender.  

Where will we find you on a Saturday morning at 10 a.m.?  

In my garden with a book or a magazine on a sunny day or maybe on the phone catching up with family and friends.

What do you love about your job?

The freedom and ability to create, the possibility to support others and flexibility to master my own time. Being a freelance creative and being the Creative Director of Razana Afrika, a Bristol-based community interest company, have allowed me to have this freedom. Through the work I do with Razana Afrika, I am able to work with communities in Bristol but also further afield in raising awareness of African history, while also being able to use my creativity through the projects that the organisation is delivering.

What’s the best career decision you’ve ever made?

To go freelance.

What’s the worst career decision you’ve ever made?

Accepting a job only on the basis that I needed money to pay bills.

How do you organise your time?

Discovering bullet journal has been a life saver in term on managing my time and organising my life. I have been using my bullet journal as a daily planner, to-do-list and a record of my thoughts, goals and inspirations. My bullet journal allows me to track my activities in a highly visual manner and it is useful for someone like me who like to create as you can doodle, sketching or use collage in your journal.

What do you think is your greatest strength?

I can’t pick just one strength but here you go…, my ability to connect to people, my resilience, and my creativity.

What do you think is your greatest weakness?

I am still having difficulty saying no but I am working on this and learning to really assess if a task or a project is really for me and really say “no” if it will bring me no joy or delegate it to someone else if there is someone else better qualified to do the project or task.

How do you make decisions?

When making an important decision I try not to rush and to also use my intuition in the process. I will start by identify my goal and be really clear on what I want as the end goal in the situation. Then I will gather necessary information, draw the options, weight the pros and cons of each option available and go with the one that is the better match to achieve my goal. Final step is to take actions. I will also try to review the decision at later stage.

What do you read?

I read varied type of books from fiction to non-fiction, from book dealing with business and leadership skills to personal development skills. I am currently reading “That’s Remind Me” by Derek Owusu.

What do you think are the secrets behind getting to where you’ve got to?

The destination keeps changing along the journey, but I would say that self-awareness has been very important for me.  Really understanding what my strengths, my weaknesses and my values are, have help me to be clear on the steps to take along the way. Not allowing fear or difficult times to stop me in the journey have also been important and use the uncomfortable experiences as a fuel to push me forward. Finally having a good network of people who can support and mentor me and believe in my vision have also been essential.

Christelle Pellecuer is the Founder and Creative Director at Razana Afrika.

https://www.christellepellecuer.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mschristellerosette/

https://www.facebook.com/ChristellePellecuerMUA/

More Fantastic Females HERE

The post Fantastic Female – Christelle Pellecuer, founder of Razana Afrika first appeared on MUMFORCE.

Postpartum Plan https://postpartumplan.co.uk is a holistic online programme for new parents, laying the emotional and physical foundations for a lifetime of parenthood. It brings together a support team of experts that all new mothers should have access to; women’s health physio, yoga and breath-work instructor, nutritionist, postpartum doula and more.

Women are offered support, love and care throughout pregnancy. However, as soon as we give birth all that focus is diverted to the baby. Whilst our baby is worthy of all this attention, our society has forgotten how to nurture the postpartum mum; this leaves her exhausted from birth, sleep deprived and sometimes physically or emotionally traumatised.

Postpartum Plan has been developed to create the feeling of a support team around you; nourishing your physical and emotional needs.

***

What do you love about your job?

Every week we run live sessions for our members and every week it makes me love my job more. I have had women cry, laugh, breastfeed and share their birth story on these live sessions and it makes me realise that Postpartum Plan really has provided so many women with a much needed village of support at such a crucial time in their lives. 

What’s the best career decision you’ve ever made?

In 2011 after a bad break up with an ex boyfriend I decided to train as a reflexologist to give me something to focus on. Little did I know it would set me on a path of healing, supporting women and, ultimately, Postpartum Plan. 

Through my reflexology practice I have  helped women through stress, trauma and imbalance. But I found the time when women needed support the most was postpartum; yet this was the time that clients stopped having treatments because all their energy and love went to their baby. I was then called in 6 months postpartum to treat a host of issues including burn out, PTSD, insomnia and some more serious emotional and physical issues. 

So Postpartum Plan was born in the middle of lockdown!

What’s the worst career decision you’ve ever made?

This was the hardest question as I do believe that every bad decision (and there have been loads of career ones!) has led me to this point. The worst points of my career have always been when I was led by others when I knew in my gut it was not the right decision though. 

How did you balance being a mother and professional?

Badly to begin with! It took a lot of trial and error (and relinquishing guilt) but I realised a few things that helped me: 

• My kids love hearing about my job so I talk to them regularly about what I do and who I help. This gives them context for when I leave during bathtime or disappear for phone calls. 
• I used to try and be everything to everyone and it just didn’t work as I was answering emails whilst playing Top Trumps on the kitchen floor! So now I give my kids 100% of my time for 30 minutes to 1 hour a day with no phone, computer or distractions. This fills their cup so I can then give 100% to work. 
• Sometimes I just have to work after the kids go to bed. My husband understands this so we allocate certain nights a week to working late and the others to time for us. This helps us to stay connected too. 

What have you sacrificed (both personally and professionally) at each stage of your career? 

This is such a good question. Personally I have sacrificed time with my kids, especially during the launch of Postpartum Plan as my amazing local mum friends would take my kids after school so I could work. I have, of course, sacrificed health at certain times of my career (I gave myself shingles once due to burn out) but I also think that we need short bursts of intensity or stress to build our resilience up and knowing when those pinch points will be means we can down tools, bring up the drawbridge and come up for air when we are done. 

Professionally I admit to getting imposter syndrome so I have sacrificed my own self belief by focusing too much on what other people are doing rather than empowering myself to continue. 

Who inspired you and why?

My mum has inspired me in so many ways. As a working mum, looking after SIX kids, she would juggle home and career in so many amazing ways. She was a reflexologist and I remember seeing her many clients coming through our doors. She was also a drama teacher so I would hear her drama students downstairs after I had gone to bed rehearsing their lines. But she also welcomed all our friends into the house, would host dinner parties and she always woke up before any of us on a Sunday to clean the entire house. Her energy for life made me realise that you can define your own career path and make it work for your household. 

What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?

Start cycle syncing to get the most out of your career. I teach women to work with, not against, their menstrual cycles to understand when (and why) they feel more productive one week and then more reflective and able to evaluate the next. It transformed my working life and my dream is that every company (finally!) understands the value of honouring a woman’s monthly cycle rather than believing we have a 24 hour cycle (like men). 

Do you think women feel intimidated in business?

I think it depends on the business, the sector, the team and boss they have around them. However, we do all suffer from imposter syndrome which makes us more empathetic and nurturing in the workplace but also quick to self-deprecate. If President Obama can admit to imposter syndrome then I think we can all just crack on and do what we do!

Where will we find you on a Saturday morning at 10 a.m.?  

After a week of getting the kids out of the house at 8.30am for school we take Saturday slow. So you will usually find me with a coffee, trying to read a page of the newspaper (a tradition we have continued from our pre-kids days) and usually being drawn on by my kids. I think the kids need that downtime as much as wel do. 

How do you organise your time?

Not that well to be honest. My day can be as random as school drop off, reflexology client, Postpartum Plan live session, school pick up, dinner, Postpartum Plan social media post. In short, I find time when I can and sometimes that is after the kids have gone to bed. The best decision I made with the creation of Postpartum Plan was finding a business coach as she really helped me navigate what I needed to do and how I would find the time to do it. 

What do you think is your greatest strength?

I love to help people, to support people and to listen, which is why reflexology and Postpartum Plan are probably the best jobs for me!

What do you think is your greatest weakness?

I was once told that I was a great creative but a terrible implementer, which I think can be true. I also distract myself with the admin and easy wins when I am subconsciously scared of the bigger work. 

How do you make decisions?

I have learnt to trust my instinct and that seems to get me somewhere, but that took me a LONG time to get to!

What do you read?

The newspaper (see above!) and I love a good crossword. But I am currently reading How to do the Work by the Holistic Psychologist which is brilliant. I love a good fiction but it takes me a long time to find one I really love. 

What do you think are the secrets behind getting to where you’ve got to?

Ask for help. It has only been when I started asking for help that I made progress. That can be asking a local mum friend to take your kids or someone you trust for advice. It can be admitting that you can’t do it all or that you are approaching burn-out. I wish more mums asked for help, which is why Postpartum Plan gives the support they need when they need it most

https://www.instagram.com/reflexologyhouse/

MORE FANTASTIC FEMALES HERE

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Nappy Endings is a non-profit business who match intended families with surrogates. They are the UK’s most sensitive and supportive surrogacy agency. They guide and assist both sides (surrogates and intended families) throughout the entire journey and beyond. 

Founder Rachel Westbury has been a surrogate 5 times and has worked tirelessly to help many others along their surrogacy journey. 

www.nappyendings.com

@rachelwestburynappyendings

FANTASTIC FEMALE – RACHEL WESTBURY, FOUNDER OF NAPPY ENDINGS

How did you balance being a mother and professional?

I try to plan ahead like preparing dinners if I have evening meetings and always scheduling as much as I can. I always have a back up just incase a work emergency comes up and as my son has got older it’s allowed me to grow nappy endings as he’s much more independent and he’s also very supportive and proud

What have you sacrificed (both personally and professionally) at each stage of your career?

I guess if I had to choose something it would be time as my phone is on 24/7 for work committing to things like making plans can be tricky. To be honest I don’t feel like any of what I do professionally is a sacrifice as I truly love it and every sacrifice could be helping creating a family.

Who inspired you and why?

My son inspired me as the joy and love from him made me realise how amazing it would be to give others the same feeling.

What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?

I would say don’t be scared to follow your dreams as anything is possible and as long as you try you will have no regrets. If something doesn’t work out as planned be proud of the effort you made in trying your hardest.

Do you think women feel intimidated in business?

For me personally no I don’t think so, I feel everyone male or female can feel intimidated in any situation but if you believe in your self and what you do then passion and confidence override that.

Where will we find you on a Saturday morning at 10 a.m.? 

Either trying to drag my tennage son out of bed, watching Saturday kitchen or on a meeting with a client

What do you love about your job?

I love making a difference and seeing families being created and putting hope back into peoples lives that thought they had none is a privilege and something I will always love

What’s the best career decision you’ve ever made?

To become a surrogate and through my experience and along with my friend open nappy endings

What’s the worst career decision you’ve ever made?

I wouldn’t say it’s a worst decision but more like a huge responsibility that how much people depend on you and I stress constantly on every journey that all will work out.

How do you organise your time?

I’m not the best at that as I always say my time is limitless but I try and keep some time in my diary for me time and to spend with my son (when he lets me lol)

What do you think is your greatest strength?

Compassion and passion about what I do and being open and honest with everyone

What do you think is your greatest weakness?

I find it very hard to say no as I want to try and make everyone happy 

How do you make decisions?

I look at the pros and cons of every situation and discuss things with Ursula my business partner and also go on gut instinct sometimes to

What do you read?

Danielle Steele and Sophie Kinsella

What do you think are the secrets behind getting to where you’ve got to?

Passion and seeing the amazing miracles when a journey comes together and also always knowing there could be another opportunity to help someone drives me to keep going

MORE FANTASTIC FEMALES HERE

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By Judy Piatkus, author of ‘Ahead of Her Time; How a One-Woman Startup Became a Global Publishing Brand’.

All mothers feel guilt sometimes.  For women hoping to become mothers, or who already have families, the challenge of running your own business and bringing up a family at the same time is a complex one. But if you are truly doing your best, there’s no need to beat yourself up. 

I believe that when you truly set your intention to build your own business, and when you determine that nothing is going to stand in your way, you are already one solid step on the road to success.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BEING A MUM

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BEING A MUM

The freedom payoff

One of the most important advantages of being an entrepreneur is that, while you might be working longer and harder than ever before, you do have the freedom to set your own hours. You might have to answer emails before everyone gets up or after they have gone to bed. But it’s a small price to pay for having control over your own time.

Takeaway:  Being your own boss is the best kind of freedom.

Focus on being happy

When I was in my late teens, I knew that I didn’t want to be a stay-at-home mum. My own mother, a woman with many talents, had been an unfulfilled and frustrated housewife and I didn’t want that for myself.  I have always believed that a happy loving mother will be well-placed to create a happy home life for her family.  

We are not all in a position to choose to be happy, but I made up my mind that I would do my best. I wanted a happy life and that was my goal. It helped that I have a naturally optimistic temperament. I married in my early twenties, and when, a decade later, it became obvious to both of us that our relationship was no longer working, it seemed better to me that we should separate and not stay together ‘for the sake of the children’.

Takeaway:   Every family is unique. We cannot know in advance what the impact of separation and divorce will be on our children. But life is never easy for children growing up with quarrelsome parents.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BEING A MUM

You can’t predict everything you will face

I had not expected to find myself a single working mother with three young children. It wasn’t easy, and this was compounded by my oldest child, my first-born daughter, being disabled.  She has cerebral palsy, is non-verbal and unable to walk.

Of course, I would get stressed overwhelmed and angry some days. But it never lasted for long and we’d all soon make it up. I didn’t have a problem apologising to them and they usually understood what part they had played.  My younger daughter always said she wouldn’t refer to her own children as being ‘over-tired’ at bed-times but of course, when she became a mother, that resolution didn’t last very long. So even the best of intentions don’t always work out the way you plan – even when you think you’ve been forewarned! Don’t beat yourself up.  

Takeaway: There will always be days when everyone is stressed, argumentative and tired. Always acknowledge this so that everyone’s feelings are recognised.

Challenges come and go

My most challenging times were the periods between nannies starting and leaving. Someone always needed to be waiting for my older daughter who would be brought home at 4pm every day in the school-bus. And later, when she moved into a home, someone had to be waiting at the bus-stop to meet my younger daughter before she was old enough to walk home on her own. There were no mobile phones then so no one could text if there were delays.  Now mobile phones make it so much easier for parents and children to communicate when they need to during the day and especially if you can’t be at the school-gate. 

Takeaway: Recognise that nothing is static. You may overcome one challenge only to be faced with another. This is normal and every entrepreneurial parent will go through these cycles. So recognise them for what they are, and take them in your stride.

No need to feel guilty

I think the most important thing a working parent needs to try to do is to avoid feeling guilty. Women have been working in fields, factories and offices throughout history.  Few women have had the luxury of sitting at home, able to enjoy playing with their children without a preponderance of household tasks.  Landed gentry had staff to help with childcare while many women who were able to look after their children all day often wished they had the opportunity to go to work.  

Takeaway: Throughout history women have worked a double shift to put food on the table and to give their children a good start in life.  Wanting to work, for whatever reason, is perfectly normal.

Setting a good example

Every one of us is born with unique gifts and talents and we need to find how to use and benefit from our skills and capabilities in order to lead our own rewarding and fulfilling life.  By doing that, we set our children a good example of how to work hard in order to enjoy what we do, which gives our lives meaning and purpose.  Children of working parents often become more independent and capable at a younger age than some of their peers who have so much done for them.

Takeaway:  Entrepreneurial parents demonstrate leadership, managing responsibility and solving problems.

Feeling alive

Being an entrepreneur is one of the most exciting experiences that life has to offer.  You have complete freedom to create your product and service in the way that you want to.  It is exciting, rewarding and also nerve-wracking. But you will feel truly alive while you are doing it. And if you become an entrepreneur because you have no other choice, the successes you may achieve could be all the sweeter as it wasn’t what you had planned to do with your life.  If your business becomes successful, you will likely be able to sell it and have sufficient money to explore other dreams.

Takeaway:  Entrepreneurship encourages you to feel fully alive.

The right mindset

Whether you already have a business and have struggled through lockdown juggling the needs of the business with home schooling, or perhaps this last year has awakened within you a dream to start your own business – your mindset now becomes crucial.  Do your homework, focus on what you want to achieve and persevere while, at the same time, being prepared to be flexible and collaborative.  Your mind is the most powerful tool you have so programme it for success.

Takeaway:  Believe in yourself and your ability to keep going, no matter what hurdles are in your way.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BEING A MUM

Working as a team

Always get your partner, if you have one, on side first. When the two of you are working as a team and supporting one another, everything is possible. Next, look to your second line of defence, family members living nearby, helpful neighbours, schoolfriends’ parents. All these people need to form your support group and be there to back you up when you need them, and in turn you have to be there to do the same for them when times are tough.  With your support network in place – and without family and friends, you may have to employ someone – then you are equipped to achieve great heights.

Takeaway:  Cherish the people in your support network. Life will be much harder without them.

External support

Never has there been more support for people who want to start their own business. There are books and courses, podcasts and lectures, consultants and mentors.  Everything you need to know can be found on the internet.  Local and online community groups and networks are there to speed you on your way.  This is truly the best time in history to get help as you work to build your company.

Takeaway:  Never be too shy to ask for help.  There are always people willing and ready to support courageous entrepreneurs.

Every decade has its advantages and disadvantages

When I founded my publishing business in the 1980s I was able to employ a full-time nanny because it was legal to offset the cost of her employment against my business.  But there was so much prejudice – sometimes unconscious, but always there – against working women that I was always guarded about mentioning my family during my working day. Being a working mother could have been held against me in ways I might never have dreamed of.

Times have changed and now a woman running her own business is no longer unusual. In fact, more new businesses have been registered by women in 2021 than ever before.  But for entrepreneurs with children, unless you have a stay-at-home and supportive partner, there will always be additional challenges. But that is no reason to wait: get started now.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BEING A MUM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Judy Piatkus is author of ‘Ahead of Her Time; How a One-Woman Startup Became a Global Publishing Brand’. Judy is an entrepreneur, publisher and business coach specialising in conscious leadership. She founded Piatkus Books when she was in her 20s and grew the company to become an international brand, before selling it in 2007, just before the global financial crash that she had shrewdly foreseen. She is now a keynote speaker and a coach and mentor to start-ups. In 2011 she founded Conscious Café, a network that brings people together for connection and discussion.  www.judypiatkus.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/judypiatkus

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/judy.piatkus/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judypiatkus/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judypiatkus/

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BEING A MUM

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Her passion and enthusiasm to get children and young people motivated and learning has been the catalyst for developing the Core, Clever and Quantum Curricula in the Switched ON Academy.

FANTATSIC FEMALE – CLARE FORD, EXPERT EDUCATOR AND AWARD-WINNING WELLBEING ENTREPRENEUR

How did you balance being a mother and professional? 
With difficulty and a lot of guilt!  I had to ask favours a lot and build up a network of mum friends, as I have no family nearby.
I would take friends’ children home for tea one day and they would return the favour another.  I also spent a TON on wrap-around care.
The school had to open breakfast club early – my boys were first in and last out on the days I worked…
I also had to be SUPER organised.  The hardest thing was last minute let-downs and unforeseen events, like the school coach coming back late from a trip.
Sometimes I had to arrange a taxi to bring the boys home from school if I was in a meeting that couldn’t be changed.  I felt guilty about this too.
The guilt – when my kids were sick with a cold, they sometimes went to school anyway. Still ashamed now!
If I took time off with them, which I did when I really had to, then I would have to go to work sick when I caught whatever they had had.

What have you sacrificed (both personally and professionally) at each stage of your career? 
I sacrificed my mental health and my relationships with those close to me.
In fact when I was working as a teacher, due to the constraints above, I ended up with work related anxiety. 
This led to burnout, a serious depression, divorce and a two year recovery when I became a Reiki Master and Quantum Energy Healer.

Who inspired you and why?
I am inspired by Brene Brown and Michelle Obama.
For conscious parenting, I am inspired by Dr Shefali.
Understanding her work has helped me understand my own issues and become a better parent – or at least the best parent I can be right now.

What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?
Don’t try to be a man.  Do things on your terms.  Make sure there is flexibility in your contract.
You cannot be all things to all people.
If your career demands 24/7 commitment then ask yourself seriously if you really want to become a mother.
Because children also demand a 24/7 commitment.
Make sure you commit to a partner who respects and supports your career choices, rather than belittling them.
If you want to succeed in your life, balance and self care HAVE to be your priority.  I learnt that far too late!
Get financially savvy and make your money work for you!

Do you think women feel intimidated in business?
Possibly.  And often by other women. 
I think women are more competitive with other women than men are.

Where will we find you on a Saturday morning at 10 a.m.?  
Walking in a field or by the sea!

FANTATSIC FEMALE – CLARE FORD, EXPERT EDUCATOR AND AWARD-WINNING WELLBEING ENTREPRENEUR

What do you love about your job?
FLEXIBILITY! 
The freedom I now have being my own boss, to work late at night and start later in the morning.
I LOVE making a positive impact on a daily basis with my clients and students.
At the Switched ON! Academy we have programmes in the “Clever” curriculum which support emotional wellbeing,
such as “Mini Meditations for Magnificent Minds” and I love seeing my students grow to understand themselves better as a result.

FANTATSIC FEMALE – CLARE FORD, EXPERT EDUCATOR AND AWARD-WINNING WELLBEING ENTREPRENEUR

What’s the best career decision you’ve ever made?
To hand in my notice and work for myself.

What’s the worst career decision you’ve ever made?
To wait so long to leap into entrepreneurship.

How do you organise your time?
I am VERY intentional with my time, and I support mums and teens with time management too, in courses such as “Discovering Your Path” for Teens.
This is SUCH an important factor into getting your day to flow, have focus and achieve your goals.  
It’s about understanding your bio-rhythms and how you work best.
I plan ahead. I structure my month, my week and my day and then get everything ready the night before for the next day.
I have clear expectations with my students and clients about turning up on time.I
I have clear expectations with my family about scheduling my time and when I am or am not available.
I also put in my calendar time for my lunch, walks, meditation etc… if it’s in my diary, it gets done!
In fact, during lockdown, I ran  “Planning the Week Ahead” sessions in the Home Education Hub to support families with this.

FANTATSIC FEMALE – CLARE FORD, EXPERT EDUCATOR AND AWARD-WINNING WELLBEING ENTREPRENEUR

What do you think is your greatest strength?
Getting to the nub of an issue quickly and helping people find solutions and clarity.
Also helping students achieve things they didn’t think was possible.

What do you think is your greatest weakness?
I am quite impatient with people who say they want to do something but then don’t follow through with it.
I don’t tolerate time wasters!  

How do you make decisions?
Intuitively and quickly.

What do you read?
Everything and anything! I have three bookcases full of books.
I read classics, chick lit, historical novels, self-help books, spiritual books, business books, philosophy books, eg:
Brene Brown
Dr Shefali
Dr Bruce Lipton
Paulo Coehlo
Philippa Gregory

I also love reading the children’s stories that I collated after my first ever Little Authors, Big Ideas Creative Writing Course.
I created a book called Lollipops and Rainbows, Teaching Literacy with Soul, which enables parents to uplevel their children’s writing skills,
incorporating meditation and conscious conversations too.

What do you think are the secrets behind getting to where you’ve got to?
Consistent daily habits, routines and actions to support a divine soul-led mission.
Having support from my partner and great mentors.

FANTATSIC FEMALE – CLARE FORD, EXPERT EDUCATOR AND AWARD-WINNING WELLBEING ENTREPRENEUR

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