Pictured above: Karen Gill MBE, co-founder of everywoman, and Charlotte Heath-Bullock.
I recently had the pleasure of visiting the House of Commons to celebrate 25 years of everywoman, an organisation that gives women in business a voice, and helps businesses as diverse as NatWest, IBM and BUPA to retain and develop their pipeline of female talent. The anniversary coincided with the news that everywoman has been acquired by Albright, the private members’ club that provides support to women at every stage of their professional lives.
This amalgamation of two titans of gender diversity is positive news for professional women seeking career recognition, whilst also balancing the demands of family life. As a female founder and a full-time working mother, I know only too well the sacrifices many women feel they have to make in order to have a fulfilling career alongside a family. Show me a mother who hasn’t recoiled with guilt at parents’ evening when their child announces that “mummy’s always working”, as mine did earlier this year.
Happily for younger generations of working mothers, there is more understanding than ever in the workplace, aided in no small way by Covid-19 when employers finally recognised that flexible working was here to stay, and could be harnessed to help retain female talent who might otherwise leave the workforce.
I am privileged to be a judge at this year’s annual everywoman Awards, the country’s most acclaimed programme celebrating the achievements of female entrepreneurship - often where success has been achieved as a result of risk and sacrifice. Along with two other inspiring entrepreneurs, I am judging the Balance Category, so named as it recognises the challenges of starting and scaling a business while raising young children. The nominees whose entries I have been reviewing are awe-inspiring in their success and I have no doubt I can learn from all of them how to inject better balance into my own life.
During my career I've often been asked about the advice I would share with others following a similar journey to me. Everybody’s experience is different, but for any young woman pondering entrepreneurship and wondering if it’s worth it, here’s my tuppence worth:
Start simple: not all of us have global domination in our sights when setting up a business. Keeping it simple and focused will help to create a manageable business model and allow for growth at times when it suits you. Nobody wants to be negotiating a merger en route to the birthing unit.
Set boundaries: plan your business around your family’s schedule and priorities and try to find ways to integrate both without compromising on your values. Not easy and I can’t say I’ve ever really cracked this one, although - barring essential evening events - I ensure I am always home for bedtime.
Time management is everything: disciplined diary management is central to any busy family, but it’s on another level when you throw in a business. Be ruthless with your time. It is your most precious commodity.
Seek out support: I could not have grown my business without the support of my family, friends, business partner and team. I was lucky enough to have great mentors along the way, not least the founders of everywoman who encouraged me to follow my dream and supported me emotionally and practically (they were an early client).
Don’t strive for perfection: all you’ll end up doing is feeling like you’ve failed. Sometimes done is better than perfect. Be kind to yourself and embrace imperfections.
Celebrate success: whether a big or small win, take a step back and recognise the progress you’re making. I spent far too much time chasing the next goal and not enough time enjoying the moment.
Outsource: when I found out I was pregnant a wise friend gave me some great advice - buy in as much help as you can afford. My night nanny felt like a small fortune at the time, but boy was it money well spent when my son slept through the night at four months as I headed back to work.
Self care matters: a working mother is constantly looking after others: husband, children, often elderly parents alongside employees and clients. So book that spa treatment, go for that run, read that book you’ve always been putting off. Because you matter and by god, you deserve it.
