Business Mums Unite - at last!

October last year I was lucky enough to attend to the launch of Business Mums Unite.
I don't mind telling you I was a more than a little apprehensive as it was my first ever large event of this type. As it turns out I had a really super day.
The Venue was very easy to find, very impressive, the staff were friendly and the buffet lunch provided was scrummy!

In the morning there were some truly inspirational women speakers including Elaine Hanzak Gott. I am sure I am not the only person in the room to be moved to tears by her incredible story. She came across as such a warm and upbeat lady that you would have absolutely no idea of the personal trials she has endured. The fact that she chooses to help people whilst at the same time dealing with the things that life has thrown at her is truly amazing.


Rebecca Jones made a wonderfully humorous speech. Her style was so animated and she seemed to have so much energy that you couldn't help but be captivated. She gave some really valuable pieces of advise; in particular doing less but doing it better and scheduling time more effectively in order to appear more professional - even if you are working from under your stairs. She also wore the most gorgeous red shoes.



Noami Temperley also spoke about her path to success with Baby Loves Disco and how she entered and survived the Dragons Den; brave and incredibly down to earth.

After a very yummy picnic lunch on the carpet (lots of fun) and far too much cheesecake I attended two workshops. The first one held by Becky from Baby Budgeting on how to generate income from your blog. I took a great many notes and learnt a lot so thank you Becky for all the fab tips.

The second, small business accounting was run by Georgina from Starfish Accounting Being horribly mathematically challenged shall we say, if ever I needed a notepad it was now!
Georgina managed to make it sound not quite so scary and explained the important parts in, what I should imagine are to her very simple terms. She patiently answered all our questions and I definitely came away with a clearer understanding of what is required. Thank you!
Shall still be using an accountant though, really cannot face it on a regular basis...

As well as meeting some truly lovely other ladies I also met one who I think will continue to be a life long friend. I entered a twitter competition for mentoring from The Mother Factor
A.K.A Sally Petitt. Since then she and I have had many conversations and are planning a girly day out. Sally is one of the most generous and kind ladies I have ever met, if you are a Mother in business or thinking of starting one I highly recommend her services.

The whole event was planned by the lovely Charlotte Pearson. I have no idea how you manage to plan something on a scale such as this and still look so utterly unfrazzled but she pulled it off perfectly.



I know that Business Mums Unite 2012 is in the planning, not only that but she also runs Mummy Fever which is launching on the 17th February. Thank you Charlotte and I am so very sorry it has taken so long to get this written up for you, I truly had a wonderful day!

Love,

Business Mums Unite

I really am genuinely excited to have been invited to attend the launch of the Business Mums Unite Conference and Exhibition on the 19th October. It's being held at the Albert Hall Conference Centre in Nottingham; just a quick trip on the train away for me. (As a non driver this really helps!)

The aim of the day is,
'to bring together mums in business to share ideas, support each other and network, as well as this we would like to encourage those mums who have not yet ‘taken the leap’ to do so and this is the ideal platform to support and inspire these women.'

This really appeals to me as I have been toying with a business idea for a few months now and have absolutely no idea how to go about it. I think it's a jolly good one; whether it's viable or anyone else concurs remains to be seen. If it is then the accomplished ladies attending will certainly be able to steer me in the right direction!

The keynote speaker is Elaine Hanzak- who through personal experience talks about postnatal depression from the baby blues to severe more forms. She is renowned internationally as an inspirational speaker and attends events worldwide to share her expertise. I was lucky to not suffer postnatal depression after the twincesses were born (was there time?) but did have a dreadful time after my first son was born and am known to struggle with terrible lows after Christmas each year. (I know it sounds funny but I really suffer for a couple of weeks!) So I will certainly be interested in any coping strategies that she may have to help and look forward to hearing her.

Another speaker is Naomi Temperley, Dragons Den survivor and UK director of the very funky Baby Loves Disco and  Social Media Boom, who specialise in the the best ways to get the most out of Social Media. Such an important tool for any business and I'm sure that I still have a huge amount to learn about this ever changing subject.

There are also workshops throughout the day to suit all areas of starting or improving a new Business.
I am really loooking forward to attending one hosted by Amanda Farren.  She will be talking about the importance of branding for a Business- I don't have one so hopefully will glean lots of tips to help me. As she is better known as one of the founders of  Mumpreneur UK and owner of Qwerty Cow (and a busy mum of four) I don't think I could have any better advice on branding!

The other workshop where I will be making masses of notes is held by Georgina Rollings from Starfish Accounting. The word accounting fills me with utter dread frankly. As a complete mathematical dunce I am absolutely clueless when it comes to keeping books, V.A.T forms, business plans and other such horrors.
She was also awarded  a WOW award by Jacqueline Gold (Chief Exec of Anne Summers & Knickerbox)
Hopefully she will be able to ease my fear of of such things and she is also a fellow twin mumma so it can't be that scary, surely?

Tickets are £65 and include  lunch and a fab goodie bag, extra tickets are £40 per person; bargain!
Business advertising is £30, trade stands are £150; to include your delegate place and lunch & aforementioned goody bag.

If you would like to attend, both the Business Mums Unite website and Facebook Page  have more information or you can contact them via twitter.

Wish me luck with my new business!

Love,