Page 13 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • February 2011 13
Swindon mumpreneurs

support each other’s success

With so much change and uncertainty in the labour market, many
mothers in the town may be wondering how to start a business, or are
looking for encouragement with a project they’ve already launched.

Mumpreneurs from left, Anna May - Utility Warehouse, Tracey Hammond - Virtual
Business Administration, Corinna Bramley - Little Party Hire, Cathy Milburn &
Benjamin - Tiarabelles, Michelle Basson - Purealicious, Kym Anderson - Kym’s
Painted Shirts, Tanya Ogley - Swindon Party Bags
The Swindon Mums’ Busi- to help those just starting to take
ness Group has been up and run- the first steps into self employment.
ning since June, and has already We provide a forum for women to
made a tremendous difference to talk about new ideas and the range
many mothers who are balancing of issues they face. The aim is to
their ambitions to run their own share, encourage and make sure
businesses with the demands of everyone benefits from each other’s
looking after their children. experience.”
Tanya Ogley and Jenni Saunders, Of the many networking or-
who both advertise their businesses ganisations in and around the town,
with The Link have recently taken Swindon Mums’ Business Group
over organising the monthly net- is the only one which claims to be
working group. Tanya said, “the truly child-friendly, where the chil-
club exists to support members dren can play while mums
who are in various stages of de- chat and exchange ideas/experi-
veloping existing businesses and ences in a friendly, informal envi-
ronment. Tanya added, “so far we
Businesswomen have had one mum start a second
business, another member who
move with has decided to sell her business
the times and move in a new direction, and
another mum inspired to use the
Swindon Business Women Break- internet to support her business
fast Club, the premier business- thanks to the fantastic talk we were
women’s networking group in given on using social media. The
Swindon for the past 17 years and group is a great place for mums to
home of the sought after the annual test out ideas and see if they’ll work
Make it Happen Award, has re- alongside childcare and home needs
launched with a new structure, and with people in a similar situation.”
more flexible membership terms. The group usually meets on the
Meetings include presentations second Friday in the month from
by interesting speakers and are 9.30am to 11.30am at NG Kids,
available on a pay-as-you-go basis, next to Next Generation Fitness
with an annual membership fee of Club in Kembrey Park, near Gorse
£35. This goes towards funding Hill. There is no charge for attend-
the annual award which enables a ing the meetings and mums are
woman to move forward in their welcome to just turn up on the day,
career by providing £500 towards although it is advisable to contact
training, plus business mentorship Tanya or Jenni beforehand to con-
and club membership for a year. firm times and venue arrangements.
The speaker at the next meeting There is a charge of £3 per child
is Patrick Mallison of Pink Fish to use the NG Kids play area and re-
Associates who will talk about freshments are also available to buy.
website design and optimisation For details contact Tanya at
at the Tawny Owl pub, Taw Hill, [email protected] or
on Tuesday 22 February, 5.30pm. Jenni at [email protected]
For details of becoming part of
the network, mail the chairwoman • Women get their rocks off with
roller derby on page 32
Maureen Inwards at: membership@
sbbcnetworking.co.uk • Two women respond to Big
www.sbbcnetworking.co.uk Society call. See page 33

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