Mums launch their very own enterprise networking group in Medway and hope to alter male-dominated tradition within the business
As part of a networking revolution, a group of mothers from Medway have formed their own “supergroup” specifically tailored to women and mothers who want to advance their business.
Currently, less than a third of UK businesses are owned by women (according to UENI 2020) – a figure that highlights a significant gender gap within the entrepreneurship industry. Although that number is actually a remarkable increase from four years ago when only 17% of business founders were women.
Nikki from NDH Productions gave a talk on how video can be used to improve your business
The mastermind behind the project is Jeanette Ford, owner of Phoenix Wellness Coaching. She was inspired by social media guru Leona Burton, the founder of Mums in Business International, and hopes to grow the Medway industry to reach as many women as possible.
Jeanette said, “I’ve always been passionate about supporting women, so I took the opportunity to create something like this.
“We didn’t have a local group in Medway. It was a chance to meet other women, but of course it was calculated and allowed me more visibility into my business and the opportunity to practice important business skills like giving presentations and public speaking.
“I used to go to networking groups for Business Network International (BNI) and that’s a more traditional networking group – there were only two women in that group so you immediately felt like a minority in the sessions.
“What I’ve tried is a more relaxed environment. Similar to the BNI, we talk about business and exchange useful tips, but we also get to know each other more personally and have more fun doing it.”
Kate Walker has been unable to recruit new cleaners since April
One businesswoman attending for the first time in person was Kate Walker of Blue Lemon Cleaning.
She told the group how recruiting difficulties over the past few months have hampered expansion into housework alongside the local company’s successful commercial division.
She said, “I’ve had ads since April. I had 39 applications, but only seven actually came to the interviews.
“The people I wanted to hire then turned around and said they didn’t want the job because it would mean their benefits would be cut so badly that they would actually be worse off trying to get into a career to get in.
“I’m not sure if Brexit or the pandemic are to blame, but it seems like the real hardworkers went home, there is a real flaw in the system.”
“They didn’t want the job because it would mean their benefits would be cut so badly that they would actually be worse …”
The group was able to share possible ways to improve the recruitment campaign for Blue Lemon Cleaning, including social video advertising and other suggestions from professionals in HR companies.
Not only was Kate there with a call for help, an employee of a legal advisory firm had been sent by her boss to the “Burn your Bras” meeting.
The room giggled at the thought of the male boss describing the session that way, but there was a sense of defiance against the sentence – it certainly wasn’t your typical “mothers’ meeting”.
The employee had been posted in the hopes of recruiting a qualified accountant for his company. They were looking for a mother or businesswoman who could work a few hours at will if necessary – the £ 60 an hour salary resulted in an audible gasp in the room.
She explained that they wanted to recruit a mother because the job was not guaranteed and would therefore be perfect for many who want a “sideline” in the evenings when the children are in bed.
The first personal group was a success so they hope to expand in the future
Michelle Newman of Flow Business Support also shared her views on the industry and hopes more groups like this will emerge across the county to help women feel stronger.
She said, “I come from a very entrepreneurial background, so I was used to being surrounded by men all the time at work. Women can often be persuaded or ignored and in groups like that it never happens.
“Women have incredible qualities that make us great leaders – empathy and multitasking for example. Don’t overlook a strong woman in business, we create real synergies and it is useful for everyone.”
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