Former Dragon’s Den investor Rachel Elnaugh has thrown her weight behind a groundbreaking new initiative that supports mums in business.
Rachel, who shot to fame on the BBC show in 2005, is backing Mentoring Mum, a unique mentoring scheme for self-employed women. She is among a seven-strong team that will offer help and guidance about all aspects of business – from law and tax, to marketing and public relations.
In effect, the telephone service will provide ‘kitchen table tycoons’ with a direct hotline to some of the UK’s most high-flying businesswomen. Remarkably, the consultants – which include Sally Preston, Laura Tenison, Antonia Chitty, Wendy Shand, Leila Wilcox and Rachel Jones – have donated their time for free.
The scheme – which went live on March 15 – is the brainchild of ‘mumpreneur’ Allison Price, the founder of MotivatingMum.co.uk. It was launched, she says, in response to the increasing number of mothers setting up their own business after childbirth.
”More mothers than ever before are setting up their own businesses,” she said. ”However, many of them lack knowledge or experience and face difficult challenges right from the start. ‘This exciting new initiative will enable mums already in business, as well as those wanting to start up, to obtain affordable support and advice to help them achieve their dreams.’The joy of the service is in its simplicity; it will enable mothers looking for advice to choose the most relevant expert and get in touch directly.”
The consultants include Sally Preston, the founder of Babylicious.co.uk – a successful baby and children’s food brand. Fashion guru and MBE Laura Tenison owns JoJo Maman Bébé, a ”quirky and imaginative” range of children’s clothes, while award-winning tycoon Antonia Chitty runs PR firm ACPR. Edinburgh-based Rachel Jones designed the Totseat – a ‘washable, squashable’ travel highchair, and Leila Wilcox – described as a ”serial entrepreneur” – owns a string of businesses including marketing firm Leila Communications.
Meanwhile, Wendy Shand, from Northamptonshire, runs global travel business Tots to Travel. Wendy said: ”I wanted to offer my services as a mentor because I’ve been down the path, and wept the tears, of the new small business owner.Now it’s my turn to share my experiences, and help other women build their own successful businesses.”
In coming weeks, more women will join the consultancy panel. It means mums will be able to access a database of experts on the Motivating Mum website and select the consultant who most area suits their needs. Advice is given over the phone, with a 30-minute session costing just £40.
Allison said: ”Time and again I am approached by mothers wanting guidance with their businesses. Many set out with great ideas and huge amounts of passion but struggle to realise their vision. ‘The majority of them simply can’t afford professional help due to the prohibitive costs. I realised that there was a need for mums to be able to access affordable advice, and that the mums out there with established businesses were very happy to share their knowledge. By matching the two together I can hopefully help more mums across the UK establish themselves and experience the immense personal satisfaction of seeing their businesses grow.”
Saira Khan, runner-up in the first series of BBC’s The Apprentice and the founder of baby skin care range Miamoo, said the service was the ”perfect solution” for self-employed women. ”If only I’d had access to affordable, accessible mentoring from like-minded women, when I first started out,” she said. “It’s the perfect solution for mums who need help with their businesses.”
All money raised through the launch will be donated to the Association of Post Natal Illness (APNI), a charity that supports mums suffering from post natal illness. APNI spokeswoman Siobhan Merrifield said: ”It is a hugely inspiring and worthy scheme which will be helpful for businessmums who could otherwise be isolated or alone – a situation that can sometimes lead to post-natal depression.”
The seven experts have donated 15 sessions, which are currently available to buy online. Once these have been purchased, Mentoring Mum will continue its service using other established business mums, for £20-a-session.
To secure your slot, visit www.motivatingmum.co.uk. Alternatively, contact Allison Price on 0208 946 6868 or email alli@motivatingmum.co.uk
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