Bump to Business Owner

Amy Grilli shares her inspiring journey from teacher to co-founder of Five Hour Club, a platform revolutionising flexible work for parents. Discover how her viral LinkedIn post sparked a movement, the importance of flexible careers for mums, and practical tips for balancing work and family. Topics: The origin of Five Hour Club and its mission Amy's personal career journey and challenges as a mum The impact of her viral LinkedIn post and movement creation The importance of flexible, part-time, and remote work options Strategies for managing identity, ambition, and family responsibilities Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:46 The Challenge of Finding Flexible Work for Parents 04:29 Identity Crisis: Balancing Motherhood and Career 07:36 The Viral LinkedIn Pos 10:12 Creating the Five Hour Club 12:59 Building a Job Board for Flexible Careers 15:54 Working with Employers: Educating on Flexibility 18:35 Success Stories and Future Plans 24:32 The Role of Team Leadership in Success 25:41 Balancing Work and Parenting 28:53 Finding Identity and Joy in Motherhood 30:13 Navigating the Default Parent Dynamic 33:42 Intentional Parenting and Career Choices 40:16 Creating Opportunities for Parents in the Workforce Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Amy Grilli Amy Grilli is the co-founder of Five Hour Club, a fast growing platform and movement rethinking how work works for parents. Before that, Amy was a teacher, a literacy specialist, and then like so many women, she stepped back from her career to raise children, becoming what so many of us women and mums relate to as the default parent. After years out of traditional work, Amy found herself standing at the school gates, feeling like she no longer belonged in her professional identity. She even considered removing herself from LinkedIn entirely due to the shame of her career gap. Instead, she wrote a post. That post went viral, reaching millions, sparking tens of thousands of conversations and revealing something powerful. This wasn't just Amy's experience. It was a global problem. From that moment, Amy and her co-founder Emma Harvey turned insights into actions, surveying thousands of parents launching a job board within two months and building Five Hour Club, a platform championing five hour careers designed to fit around school hours without compromising ambition. In just one year, they've shaped over 140 roles partnering with forward thinking employers and starting to challenge the very structure of the nine to five. Amy Grilli's Links: Website: https://fivehourclub.com/ LinkedIn (Five Hour Club): https://www.linkedin.com/company/five-hour-club/ LinkedIn (Amy): https://www.linkedin.com/in/amygrilli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fivehourclub/ Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Caroline reflects on the challenges of maintaining momentum in business, especially during tough times, and shares practical tips on resilience, human connection, and self-care. She emphasises the importance of showing up, normalizing rest, and pivoting when needed, all while celebrating her podcast milestone. Topics: Consistency is key - keep showing up even when it feels hard Normalise taking rest and personal days to recharge Build human connection to support mental health and business growth Pivot and change your mind without guilt, explore new paths Chapters: 00:30 Celebrating 100 Episodes 02:27 Navigating Challenges in Entrepreneurship 05:14 The Importance of Human Connection 08:08 Finding Balance and Taking Breaks 10:41 Embracing Change and Flexibility 13:03 The Reality of Service-Based Businesses 16:07 Normalizing Personal Days 18:01 The Journey of Female Entrepreneurship Resources: Female Founders Rise Report: https://therisereport.co.uk/ Positive Entrepreneurship Report: https://positiveentrepreneurship.co/report/ Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

In this episode, Caroline Marshall interviews Olivia and Tanyka Davson, sisters and co-founders of Cubbi, the UK's first parental leave discount platform. They share their journey from no-code MVP to national platform, navigating entrepreneurship during early motherhood, pitching on Dragon's Den, and building a mission-led business that supports new parents financially and emotionally. Topics: Building a no-code MVP during early motherhood Securing brand partnerships and investment Navigating pregnancy and entrepreneurship The impact of AI tools on startup development Chapters: 00:30 Introduction to Cubbi and Its Founders 01:58 The Journey to Entrepreneurship 04:36 Financial Challenges of Parenthood 07:15 Building a Business with No-Code Tools 12:51 The Experience of Pitching on Dragon's Den 15:35 Navigating Investment Challenges 19:44 Preparing for Dragon's Den 22:37 Navigating Maternity Leave as Entrepreneurs 27:28 Balancing Parenthood and Business 29:20 The Importance of Community Support for New Parents 33:21 Rediscovering Joy Amidst the Chaos 35:30 Connecting with Cubbi Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Cubbi, Olivia and Tanyka Davson Today we're welcoming Olivia and Tanyka Davison. They are sisters and co-founders of Cubbi, the UK's first parental leave discount platform designed specifically for new and expecting parents. Cubbi works like a student discount or blue light card, but for the perinatal window, offering verified new parents discounts across baby, maternity, food, fashion, wellness, and everyday spending. From Boots and Nike to Tommy Tippie and free coffees at Boston Tea Party. Cubbi now connects parents with over 200 brands at a time when income drops and costs rise. The idea came when Olivia's first baby was just eight weeks old, sleep deprived, pacing coffee shops with a crying newborn and feeling the financial pressure of maternity leave, she realized something. Why were new parents paying full price at one of the most expensive and vulnerable points in their life? She phoned her sister, Tanyka, and that conversation became Cubbi. What started as a scrappy no-code MVP built by two sisters has grown into a national platform with thousands of downloads and investments secured in Dragon's Den. And in perhaps one of the most iconic Found-A-Mum moments we've seen on this podcast, Olivia pitched Cubbi to the Dragons at nine months pregnant, just a week before her planned C-section. Cubbi's Links: Website: https://www.cubbi.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cubbiapp/ LinkedIn (Tanyka): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyka-davson-315766134/ LinkedIn (Olivia): https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-davson-1998ab82/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cubbi.uk/ Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Rosie Nixon, former editor-in-chief of Hello Magazine, shares her journey from high-profile journalism to coaching and retreats. This episode explores her career pivots, overcoming burnout, and redefining her identity and values in midlife. Topics: Career transition from magazine editor to coach Overcoming burnout and stress management The importance of values and self-awareness in reinvention Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Rosie Nixon's Journey 08:14 The Impact of Motherhood on Career Identity 11:10 Balancing Work and Family Life 14:07 Experiencing Burnout 16:37 Redefining Identity Beyond Work 19:19 Creating Supportive Work Environments for Women 30:53 Embracing Change 37:09 Planning Your Next Steps 40:45 Navigating New Opportunities 46:30 Finding Happiness in Simple Moments Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Rosie Nixon Rosie is a woman whom many of us will associate with red carpets and the glossy front covers of Hello Magazine, where she served as editor in chief for nearly 15 years. Not only that, Rosie is a mother of two, a bestselling author, a qualified coach, podcaster, and founder of Rosie's Reinvention Retreats, who has consciously redesigned her life and work around her wellbeing, values, and family. After decades in top roles at Hello, Glamour, Red, and Grazia, Rosie stepped away from the high-profile big job and into a new phase one that allows her to support other women through career pivots, burnout, and midlife transitions. Rosie Nixon's Links: Website: https://www.rosienixon.co.uk/ Retreats: https://www.rosienixon.co.uk/reinvention-retreats LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosie-nixon-89b99519/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosiejnixon/ Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

How was your first Christmas with a baby? Mine was…not as I had hoped. And I think that's the same for everyone. Your life has changed fundamentally, but Christmas just keeps being Christmas, with the same old family dynamics. And I found that rough, I definitely had a Christmas Crash - if that is/was you too, you're not alone Christmas is a triggering time for everyone, and we all need to do what we gotta do to get through it. I'm sharing what I've learnt for how to manage (mitigate?) Christmas, Bailey's in hand, from the practical - I order my tree in September, yes I am that guy - to the emotional. Set the bar extremely low, your kids don't know any different. They don't know Elf on the Shelf is supposed to come with presents. Resources: TJ Power the DOSE Effect Kim Hartwell meditation Jo Woodhurst, Head of Nutrition at Ancient + Brave meditation Takeaways: Christmas is triggering for everyone, in different ways Don't put so much pressure on yourself Plan ahead as much as possible Ask for help Remember to rest when you can Set the bar low for your family Merry Christmas! Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:30 Introduction and Reflections on Motherhood at Christmas 03:21 Navigating the Challenges of Early Motherhood 06:06 Planning and Preparing for Christmas 08:43 Balancing Family and Business During the Holidays 11:46 Self-Care and Managing Expectations 14:24 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Listeners Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

There's a lot of expectation when you become a mum: how it will be, the friends you will make, the support you'll have, what work will look like; what Christmas will look like. The gulf between our expectations and reality is very real, and Dr Tuesday Watts-Overall is here to tell you: you're in the messy middle, and that's OK. Dr Tuesday shares her tools for navigating the huge pressure we put on ourselves as mums, particularly at this time of year, and how we can be more human to ourselves. We're in the messy middle, we're in the identity shift, we're amidst changing dynamics, so let's be a bit kinder to ourselves. If you're ready to let go of the pressure, and rediscover your joy, listen in. Takeaways: The unique challenges millennial mums face The motherhood identity shift Changing relationships, and expectations in friendship What Dr Tuesday focuses on to manage Xmas pressure What support might look like for you Creative rest through work How to rediscover your joy when it feels lost Chapters: 00:00 The Pressure of Perfectionism in Motherhood 02:45 Navigating Identity Shifts as Millennial Mothers 05:32 The Clash of Career and Motherhood 08:11 The Challenge of Finding Community 10:54 The Impact of Social Media on Expectations 13:29 The Journey of Self-Discovery 13:57 The Struggles of Being the First Among Friends 16:52 The Reality of Motherhood and Friendship 19:44 Finding Your Tribe in Unconventional Ways 22:47 Navigating Children's Interests and Activities 23:54 The Pressure of a Perfect Christmas 27:36 Creating Meaningful Holiday Traditions 31:41 Slowing Down to Appreciate the Moment 34:38 The Journey of Motherhood and Identity 39:31 Finding Support and Self-Care as a Mother 43:17 Rediscovering Joy in Everyday Life Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Dr Tuesday Watts-Overall Dr. Tuesday is a psychologist, speaker and mum of three. With a doctorate in psychology and a career dedicated to maternal mental health, identity and self-trust, Dr. Tuesday helps mothers unpick the perfectionism and pressure that can so easily take hold, especially at Christmas. Together we explore how the festive season can amplify the invisible load for business-owning mums, the expectation to create a magical Christmas, keep everything spinning at work, and somehow stay calm, grateful, and joyful while doing it. This episode is for anyone feeling the pressure of performance and the exhaustion of the Christmas hustle. It's a conversation about letting go, coming back to what matters, and finding peace in the messy middle, both in business and at home. Dr Tuesday Watts-Overall's Links: Website: https://www.iamdrtuesday.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tuesday-watts-overall-303877325/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdrtuesday/ Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

What do you do when your boss tells you your pregnancy is "inconvenient"? Start your own business. Alice Holland-Lu used her 15 years of experience in luxury fashion to launch her own brand, based on her own experiences and struggles as her body changed throughout pregnancy and beyond. Alice has built a hyper-local business model, a community and an emotionally-led brand, whilst carting her kids to the factory after school. What else can you do when you only have 2 days a week of childcare? Our conversation is full of advice for women in the trenches whilst building a business during the early years of motherhood: we should all be bringing our kids on the business journey too. Takeaways: Childcare costs whilst your business isn't paying you a salary The perks of a hyper-local business model Community building Whether fundraising is right or even possible for mums Alice's advice for women in the trenches 3 lessons she's learnt from building a business in the early years of motherhood And why we should be bringing our kids on our business journey too Resources: Muddy Stilettos Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Alice Holland-Lu and Her Journey 01:45 Transitioning from Fashion Professional to Founder 04:01 The Challenges of Motherhood and Career 06:37 The Impact of COVID-19 on Maternal Mental Health 09:16 The Birth of a Fashion Brand: Female Archetypes 12:21 Innovating for Real Bodies: The Design Philosophy 14:32 Navigating the Fashion Industry and Building a Brand 17:23 The Reality of Entrepreneurship and Customer Connection 22:47 Embracing Authenticity in Fashion 25:48 The Ethical Fashion Movement 30:08 Designing for Real Women 33:28 Navigating Life Changes Together 36:28 Building Community Through Connection 39:33 Challenges of Female Entrepreneurship Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Alice Holland-Lu Alice Holland-Lu is the founder of the Female Archetypes, a fashion brand built to support women's changing bodies through every life phase, from pregnancy to menopause and beyond. After 15 years in the fashion industry, Alice launched her business following two difficult pregnancies of traumatic birth and postnatal depression, which left her feeling a stranger in her own body. Nothing fit, literally or emotionally, and the seed of a business idea was planted. Her garments adapt from size UK 8 to 18 with thoughtful design features like breathable mesh, deep pockets, and underarm ventilation, supporting both form and function for real life with kids. Alice Holland-Lu's Links: Website: https://thefemalearchetypes.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicehollandlu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefemalearchetypes/ Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Trigger Warning: there is a brief discussion of maternal mental health and suicide. 2025 has gone really fast, and it has been A Lot. There have been a lot of lessons, and I'm sharing 3 of mine in the hope that it will encourage you to reflect, celebrate how far you've come and recognise the challenges you've faced. Bonus lesson? Don't ask ChatGPT to tell you what you've learnt, before you ask yourself! I'll share the 3 tiered lessons AI told me I've learnt this year - and as with everything AI does, the answers were pretty bland, even when challenged. It's a bit of an emotional one from me this week, and Trigger Warning: there is a brief discussion of maternal mental health and suicide. Resources: Why I don't do New Year's Resolutions Anna Mathur episode Maternal Mental Health Alliance Takeaways: Why I don't do resolutions, I do reflections Results from AI are always bland, and need to be challenged An emotional visit to the Also Motherhood Maternal Mental Health Alliance exhibition My actual learnings from 2025, not AI Where I still have work to do The new wellbeing habit I'm sharing with my kids Chapters: 00:30 Introduction and Reflections on Recording at Night 02:37 Annual Check-In and Personal Insights 05:03 Exploring Learnings from AI and Personal Growth 07:32 Navigating Challenges and Support in Business 10:08 Emotional Reflections and Community Support 12:26 Personal Growth and Future Aspirations 15:19 Final Thoughts and Looking Ahead to 2026 Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Kira Mahal has never taken the conventional route - from holding a marketing event in lieu of interviewing for jobs, to leaving a lucrative finance career with no plan, no savings and no clear vision. Self-described as "barking mad", Kira and her husband went all into their business. On the cusp of a life and business changing corporate contract, the world went into lockdown and they lost £1.8million in VC funding. Pivoting back to their B2C business, Kira turned to the journals she'd been keeping along the way and put into practice what she learnt from her experience. If you're thinking about taking the leap without a clear plan, VC funding, or the endless tension that is being a founder and a mum, listen in. Takeaways: Kira's career journey from Young Enterprise, always taking the unconventional route to the idea for MotivatePT Going all in without a clear vision or plan - both Kira and her husband! VC funding - the barriers and why it isn't for everyone Crystalising your business vision by making mistakes and testing the market Starting a second corporate arm, VC funding and the pandemic Refocusing on the original business and growing more sustainably Journalling and the insights it gave Kira, reality v rose tinted glasses of the moment Kira's personal, and the wider culture's, changing attitude to wellness We're not just building a business, we're building a life Resources: Young Enterprise: www.young-enterprise.org.uk/ Chapters: 00:30 Introduction to Kira Mahal and MotivatePT 02:36 Kira's Journey from Banking to Entrepreneurship 05:32 The Birth of MotivatePT: A Personal Mission 08:14 Navigating the Challenges of Bootstrapping a Business 11:02 The Shift to Women-Centric Wellness 13:51 The Impact of the Pandemic on Business Growth 16:34 Funding Challenges and the VC Landscape 19:24 Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship 24:15 Navigating Postpartum Challenges 26:28 The Rollercoaster of VC Funding 28:20 The Impact of the Pandemic on Business 30:31 Journaling Through Uncertainty 31:58 Pivoting During Crisis 36:33 Building a New Business Model 37:06 Balancing Motherhood and Ambition 42:14 Finding Joy in Wellness 45:44 Future Plans for Motivate PT Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Kira Mahal Kira Mahal is the founder and CEO of MotivatePT, a tech-enabled fitness platform helping women build strength, confidence, and long-lasting wellness through every stage of life. From launching her business in a ski chalet to rebuilding it during the pandemic while pregnant, Kira's journey is full of resilience, reinvention and raw honesty. Her story speaks to every mother who's tried to hold a baby with one hand and a business with the other. Motivate PT is now a leading UK wellness company with over 40 female-focused coaches delivering 1,300-plus sessions monthly. But behind the scenes is a deeply personal mission to make fitness accessible, empowering and sustainable for women, particularly those navigating pregnancy, postpartum and perimenopause. Kira Mahal's Links: Website: https://motivatept.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiramahal/ Instagram(Kira): https://www.instagram.com/kiramahal/ Instagram(Motivate PT): https://www.instagram.com/motivatept_uk/ Podcast: https://podfollow.com/1705419713 Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Rachel and I met on the Goldman Sachs 10KSB programme in February and instantly gravitated towards another. Both mums, both struggling with being away from family, but determined to grow our businesses, despite all the challenges that motherhood/founderhood bring. My conversation with Rachel is almost excoriatingly honest about the impact of motherhood on her business, and herself. These are the conversations we need to have with women, founders, mums and would-be mums. Because the internet will tell you, you can have it all, but the reality isn't quite like that. The economy, the strength of your team and your business plan, mum guilt, resilience, self-awareness as a business owner, and why you might be the obstacle to growth: it's a big conversation. Takeaways: Rachel's career journey from hustling teenager to market stall to e-commerce The transition between young, "fun" business and becoming an authority figure The huge personal transition of becoming a mum in a wider context of huge economic uncertainty The struggle of being a founder-led brand when you're a mum, you're exhausted and you just don't want to be on camera! Running a business means managing people and their very real, not always business-related, problems How Rachel's business had been impacted by motherhood, and the team not being where/who she needed them to be How Rachel's experiences in business are shaping the growth (or not growth) of her family What needs to change to support mums in the workplace and into becoming a business owner The resilience Rachel's long-term health condition has given her Rachel's vision for the future, and why she might not be what the business needs Where she finds joy Resources: SuperScalers: https://www.superscalers.world/ Chapters: 00:30 Introduction to Rachel Hanretty and Mademoiselle Macaron 02:10 The Journey from Paris to Entrepreneurship 05:01 Building a Brand: From Market Stall to E-commerce 07:40 Navigating Leadership and Team Dynamics 10:00 The Impact of Motherhood on Business Identity 12:41 Challenges of Balancing Business and Parenting 15:07 The Cost of Living Crisis and Its Effects 17:22 The Pressure of Being a Founder Influencer 20:12 Realities of Managing a People Business 20:46 Navigating Maternity Challenges in Business 22:13 Balancing Motherhood and Business Ownership 24:48 The Emotional Toll of Motherhood on Business 27:31 Guilt and the Struggle for Balance 30:10 The Impact of Family Planning on Business 32:17 Gender Differences in Parenting and Business 34:41 Support Systems for Mothers in Business 37:37 Resilience Through Health Challenges 39:28 Vision for Future Growth 41:23 Finding Joy Amidst Chaos Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Rachel Hanretty Rachel Hanretty founder of Mademoiselle Macaron an Edinburgh based business inspired by her time living in Paris and known for producing up to 20,000 macarons each week. With high profile clients like MAC Cosmetics, Moet & Chandon, and even an order for the set of the Barbie movie, Rachel's handcrafted patisserie has become a go-to indulgence across the UK. But her macaron story is more about the beautiful product. It's about starting from scratch. It's about identity and it's about navigating the complexity of building a brand while becoming a mother. Rachel studied English and French at university and while living in Paris, fell in love with macarons. Trained at the Alain Ducasse Cookery School, she brought that Parisian perfectionism back to Scotland and started making macarons at home, eventually launching her business from a single market stall in 2013. And today is a thriving seven figure e-commerce brand. Yet as her business grew, Rachel's personal life evolved too. Becoming a mother reshaped her relationship with her company and she has been refreshingly honest about how hard that shift has been, talking openly about guilt, identity loss and how parenting has impacted her business, both practically and emotionally. She's also navigated health challenges, including epilepsy while leading her team and brand. Rachel Hanretty's Links: Website: https://mademoisellemacaron.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelhanretty/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madmacaron/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mademoisellemacaron Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MademoiselleMacaronUk Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

I don't do New Year's Resolutions. December isn't a straightforward month for me, personally, and my energy levels in January after juggling school holidays and all the Christmas fun just aren't up to "starting the new year strong". So I've restructured my business year, and my mindset to fit my realities. In this episode I'm sharing: Why I'm so anti end of year hustle culture Why we should all be putting less pressure on ourselves How I've shaped my year to fit better with my energy levels, and financials Rebel with me. More on Why I don't do New Year's Resolutions Takeaways: Christmas shift in mum admin begins in November Adjusting from mum heavy to business heavy workloads can be tough Why I don't do New Year's Resolutions How I've reshaped my business year to match my energy levels Pairing my financial new year to my conceptual new year December is a month with a lot of pressure - don't make it harder for yourself Chapters: 00:30 Embracing the Shift to Q4 Planning 02:19 Redefining Goal Setting Beyond January 06:23 Navigating Business Pressures During the Holidays 09:07 Celebrating a Non-Traditional Q4 Hustle Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Something a little different this week. I was at the UK Virtual Assistant awards last week celebrating the industry and gratefully receiving a couple of awards, on behalf of the business and the podcast team! While I was there, I did some live interviews with some incredible VAs and business women, who also happen to be mums, my industry peers and friends. They are sharing their wisdom and experiences of building businesses, working flexibly and prioritising their family. It was a very fun (by which I mean loud) atmosphere, so apologies for the background noise levels. Thanks to Amanda Johnson, host of the UK VA Awards (and last week's guest!) for kindly giving me permission to record, and to the wonderful women I spoke to: Sarah Szekir-Papasavva: www.aptva.comBeverley Edwards: www.be-virtual.co.ukStefanie Clarke: www.jotterbox.co.uk Holly Copsey: www.virtuallypriceless.co.uk Takeaways: The flexibility that comes with owing your schedule as a founder or freelancer Why you might want to consider the agency model How to deal with mum guilt Kids are sometimes the push you need to take the leap Why networking is so important to small business owners Chapters: 00:30 Introduction 02:32 Sarah Szekir-Papasavva 04:58 Beverley Edwards 07:43 Stefanie Clarke 10:02 Holly Copsey Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Trigger warning: This episode was recorded during Baby Loss Awareness Week and includes discussion of miscarriage and baby loss. Please take care of yourself. This conversation is long overdue. Amanda Johnson, or The Amanda Johnson as she's known in the Virtual Assistant industry, is founder and coach at the VA Training Academy, host of the UK VA Awards and my mentor. Before becoming a Titan of the VA industry, Amanda had a 23 year career in the military, until personal tragedy changed her priorities. Despite not personally inventing the field (listen in!) Amanda pivoted to becoming a Virtual Assistant, growing an agency and acquiring the training business and awards. We spoke about how grief shapes you, business as a coping mechanism, what to do if a client won't pay and why perceptions of the VA industry are often wrong, for both good and bad. Trigger warning: This episode was recorded during Baby Loss Awareness Week and includes discussion of miscarriage and baby loss. Please take care of yourself. Takeaways: Amanda's career journey from joining the military at 17 to exit Her fertility struggles and how loss changed Amanda's priorities and career How she came to the VA industry as a side effect of grief Building a business as a coping mechanism What to do when a client refuses to pay Why we should aim for work/life integration rather than balance Selling a business Why the VA industry can often be misunderstood, or limited by perceptions Why it's a great career for military spouses especially Amanda's experience of grief and its echoes years later Chapters: 00:30 Introduction to Amanda Johnson's Journey 02:41 From Military to Entrepreneur: A New Path 05:20 The Impact of Personal Tragedy on Career Choices 07:48 Navigating Grief and Finding Purpose 10:24 The Birth of a Business Idea 12:54 Launching a Virtual Assistant Business 15:25 The Challenges of Balancing Motherhood and Business 17:32 Building a Community and Supporting Others 20:09 Lessons Learned and Moving Forward 29:54 Work-Life Integration vs. Balance 31:49 Coaching with Tough Love and Empathy 34:43 The Importance of Body Language in Coaching 36:03 Transitioning from VA Agency to Training Academy 39:51 Expectations vs. Reality in the VA Industry 43:09 Gender Dynamics in the VA Industry 46:06 Supporting Military Spouses and Veterans 50:12 Navigating Grief and Finding Joy 57:39 Success Redefined: Flexibility and Family Support Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Amanda Johnson Amanda Johnson is a Royal Navy veteran turned entrepreneur, NICU advocate and the woman behind the VA Training Academy, also known as VACT, the go to training provider for the VA industry. After 23 years in the military, Amanda left service following a personal tragedy. She went on to found Your Executive Secretary, a Virtual Assistant business she grew while juggling babies and young children expanding from a solo operation to a team of 17 before selling the business in 2016. She then shifted her focus fully to VACT embarking on a mission to empower women, especially mothers, military spouses and career changes to build flexible, sustainable VA businesses. In 2021, she also acquired the UKVA Conference and Awards. Amanda's coaching style is practical, honest and full of tough love, grounded in lived experience and a deep understanding of both business and life's complexities. Amanda Johnson's Links: VACT Website: https://vatrainingacademy.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaconstancejohnson/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vatrainingacademy/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VirtualAssistantTrainingAcademyUK/ Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

We're wrapping up the Assistant miniseries with a big-picture conversation, the future of the assistant and VA industry. I've been in this world for over 15 years, and in that time I've seen the role change again and again, from the 2009 crash, to the explosion of tech tools, and now to AI. In this episode, I'm talking about where I see things going, what makes our work truly irreplaceable, and why assistants need to be visible, strategic partners (not an exec's "secret weapon"). I'm also sharing my thoughts on niching, the growing operational side of our roles, and the importance of keeping our skills sharp as the industry evolves. This is episode four of a four-part mini series for the Assistant community, each episode is accompanied by a free downloadable resource. Download your free resource on the future of the Assistant industry here: thought leaders in the space, skills you should be developing and more Listen to the rest of the series: Inbox Zero How to find clients Your gold standard onboarding process Resources mentioned: Fiona Young, Carve AI Your VA Journey: Start Here Takeaways Brief intro to the Assistant role Glass elevators for men in a pink industry Misconceptions about the VA industry The core services that VAs provide Why Assistants need to be visible within their organisations Increasing specialisation for Assistants How AI is shaping the industry Why you should be investing in your own development as an Assistant Chapters 00:30 Introduction to the Assistant Industry 00:51 The Evolution of the Assistant Role 02:41 Challenges in a Predominantly Female Industry 04:39 Networking and Misconceptions in the VA World 07:00 The Importance of Visibility and Value 09:13 The Role of Technology and AI in Assistance 10:31 Niche Specialisation in the Assistant Role 12:13 Transitioning into the Assistant Industry Links:Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Onboarding is my area of geek, my Mastermind subject. In this week's episode I am sharing my best practice tips for creating a great onboarding process, why it's so important, where your focus should be throughout and why you should be trying to remove yourself from it as much as possible. This is episode three of a four-part mini series for the Assistant community, each episode is accompanied by a free downloadable resource. Download your free onboarding checklist here Listen to the rest of the series: Inbox Zero How to find clients Resources mentioned: My Expensive Business Mistake episode here Takeaways Why onboarding is so crucial to your business What you should prioritise throughout the process Personalisation and automation Removing yourself from the process as a business owner When to review your own process Why offboarding is just as important Chapters 00:30 Introduction to a topic I love 02:48 The importance of a thorough onboarding process 05:43 Creating a client-centric onboarding experience 08:10 continuous Improvement and team involvement 10:07 The significance of offboarding Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/