Welcome New Member, Jane Marney, Cupcake Express, to the Single Mums Business Network

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I am delighted to welcome Jane, of Cupcake Express to the Single Mums Business Network. Here is her introduction:

Hi I’m Jane
I run Cupcake Express which I started in 2008 when my husband left me with 2 boys to raise singlehandedly. I had £30 to my name and was going through an awful divorce. I started baking cakes and selling them at local offices with my sister. We were probably the first cupcake company in Hampshire as it was before cupcakes were everywhere! We progressed to a small bakery supplying cafes , play centres and gelato bars. We now also do Children”s Themed Cupcake Decorating Boxes which was a lockdown idea we started whilst all our customers have been closed. These are delivered locally or nationwide by Royal Mail. I’ve got lots of new ideas for the business but lockdown has delayed these slightly!
Although my boys are older now I am passionate about how hard it is for single mums in business and how overlooked we are! If you are a single mum who has started and rubs her own business then you can do anything!!

You can visit Jane’s website by following this LINK

I have no doubt of the calibre of Single Mums in the UK and the SMBN is here to ensure that these ladies get the recognition and exposure they deserve, and the best possible opportunity to succeed in enjoying their families and achieving financial freedom.

Members enjoy exposure to their business with every visit to the SMBN and associated PR.  Please don’t hesitate to join us if you are a Single Mum working hard to pay the bills alone, we are here to help you.  You do not have to be a single mum to join, we have friends of the SMBN too. Every time a new member joins she is not only helping herself but helping every other member and friend of the SMBN, we welcome you x

Do you want to be a Single Mum in Business? – Check out the Salary and Job Description (and join the SMBN if this sounds like you!)

Do you want to be a Single Mum in Business? – Check out the Salary and Job Description (and join the SMBN if this sounds like you!)
Hours – 119 to 126 per week (must not expect Sundays off)
Salary – £2.30 per hour OTE £30K +
Holiday Pay – No * Sick Pay – No * Perks such as Gym Membership or Costa – No
Bank Holidays – No * Annual Leave – Sorry, No (needy springs to mind)
You must be driven, able to work autonomously, and free to carry out emergency childcare (without taking any time off) in case of pandemic, 13 weeks of school holidays, in-service days or sickness.
If that sounds good so far and you meet the job description below (read on) – you may want to join your comrades in the SMBN!

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New (old) Member, Esther Nagle, a copywriter from South Wales who helps ADHD and addiction coaches attract clients through engaging blogs, articles and web copy!

WELCOME NEW (OLD) MEMBER, ESTHER NAGLE, A COPYWRITER FROM SOUTH WALES WHO HELPS ADHD AND ADDICTION COACHES ATTRACT CLIENTS THROUGH ENGAGING BLOGS, ARTICLES AND WEB COPY! I am really pleased to be able to welcome Esther, from ‘Be here write now’ back to the SMBN! I never take offence if somebody leaves for a while, life does that to us, what I really love is that she came back, after knowing what it looks like on the inside! and just in time for the Spring issue of the SMBN mag! super duper..
Read more….

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Social Impact Review Report

You can download the Social Impact Review Report (special first edition with typos) pdf HERE, but I have copied the content below for ease of reference. Single Mums Business Network Social Impact Review Barriers to Work, Cost to Economy and Solution Barriers to Finance, Cost to Economy and Solution Barriers to Home, Cost to Economy … Read More

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

2020 – The Year We All Made History. 2021, The Year of Imminent Fun

We have all fought this year. We all have our own personal challenges and triumphs. The main thing is that we are here to tell the tale. We all know the dance isn’t over, but we all know it will be soon. Whatever you have survived for 9 months, you will survive for 3 more. The human timescale for rebirth and readjustment. A future that learns from the past..

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

SMBN Awards 2021 – New Sponsor – Laura Callahan, Willow HR

When Laura joined the SMBN in 2019, I could not have imagined how supportive she would be. She has offered guidance, coaching, she always wants to find ways to support me and my other members, and I have a had a front row seat as she has expanded her own business, and supported so many families through such a difficult year. She not only won the Family Employer of the Year category 2020, she has now pledged her support for the 2021 Awards by sponsoring the same category. Membership fees are so low for the SMBN, at only £5pcm, and without any charitable status or Grant support, outside of my own income I am cannot express my gratitude for sponsors enough

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

I should never have been on benefits, but lack of flexible working cost the tax payer thousands…

I SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ON BENEFITS, BUT LACK OF FLEXIBLE WORKING COST THE TAX PAYER THOUSANDS…

I was blissfully unaware of issues surrounding flexible working in my 20’s and early 30’s. As I was blissfully ignorant and judgemental around benefits. I had been quite happy for 20 years in my 9-5 (or more like 8-8), and short of wishing it was a four day week, so that I could get things done, like mortgage phone calls and fridge deliveries or electrician appointments etc, I wasn’t too troubled, as at least I could swim at 7am and visit the gym until 9pm.. it was when I became a single mum, I realised I was living this crazy world of presenteeism, that actually destroyed so many people!

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New ‘Friend’ of the SMBN, Clare Griffiths, Founder of the Thrive Effect

I am delighted to welcome Clare Griffiths, University Entrepreneurship Educator, Advocate for Female Founders and Women in Business and Founder of The Thrive Effect, as a friend of the Single Mums Business Network. I met Clare through her Thrive Huddle, and was really impressed with the way she supports fellow women in business, and so it is a real pleasure to celebrate her via the SMBN. Clare is based in Brighton but facilitates networking and events on-line as well as in person so it really doesn’t matter where in the UK you are based!

You do not have to be a single mum to join, we have friends of the SMBN too. Every time a new member joins she is not only helping herself but helping every other member and friend of the SMBN, we welcome you x

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Catfish UK are looking for people who have been chatting to someone online for quite some time but have never met up in person or even seen each other on video chat. A ‘Catfish’ is someone who lures a person into a relationship by adopting a fictional online persona, something that annoys me greatly, as I am consistently approached by ‘fake’ Gerrard Butlers, Leonardo Dicaprios and Single Dad Soldiers!

I don’t normally talk about dating through the SMBN, it is a business network, and it is for single mums only as I want it to remain a professional network where members are unlikely to hit on each other (I am primitive I appreciate what is natural). I do signpost men where I can, as is evident on the first page of the SMBN, but our group is girls only..

I cannot count how many message requests and connection requests I have had from fake Gerrard Butlers, fake Leonardo Dicaprios and fake Single Dad Soldiers. Now I can send them to Catfish UK to investigate further…

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New Member, Trupti Dudhia, of Consept Accounting Solutions to the Single Mums Business Network

I am delighted to welcome Trupti Dudhia, of Consept Accounting Solutions, to the SMBN. Consept Accounting Solutions is a Watford based, independent accountancy firm specialising in supporting business start-ups. Providing financial and strategic advice specially tailored to you, providing key insights and ideas to transform your business.

Members enjoy exposure to their business with every visit to the SMBN and associated PR. Please don’t hesitate to join us if you are a Single Mum working hard to pay the bills alone, we are here to help you. You do not have to be a single mum to join, we have friends of the SMBN too. Every time a new member joins she is not only helping herself but helping every other member and friend of the SMBN, we welcome you x

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New Member, Aruna Bansal, Founder of the Asian Single Parents Network CIC, to the Single Mums Business Network.

I am delighted to welcome Aruna Bansal, Founder of the Asian Single Parents Network CIC, to the Single Mums Business Network. It is so rewarding to connect with a fellow single parent who can offer support to a community that I do not have experience of, around divorce, legal advice and stigma. We had a very good meeting a few weeks ago and it was so refreshing to be able to ask questions and understand more about arranged marriages, how they differ to forced marriages, and not to feel like our different experiences and understanding has to divide us, when coming together is so much better to support all UK single parents. I am very proud to help raise awareness of the Asian Single Parents Network.

@AsianSinglePar1 @asp.network

Members enjoy exposure to their business with every visit to the SMBN and associated PR. Please don’t hesitate to join us if you are a Single Mum working hard to pay the bills alone, we are here to help you. You do not have to be a single mum to join, we have friends of the SMBN too. Every time a new member joins she is not only helping herself but helping every other member and friend of the SMBN, we welcome you x

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Special Award – Friend of the SMBN – A must read!

SPECIAL AWARD – FRIEND OF THE SMBN – A MUST READ!
[…] There was no way that I was going to let this go unrecognised, so without having to be nominated or nominate herself, I awarded Marie Hall, of Empowerment House. Best friend of the SMBN for 2020. I hope she puts that award somewhere she always sees it, so if ever she’s having a tough day or doubting what a difference she makes, she remembers how incredible, appreciated and loved she is. ..

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New ‘Friend of the SMBN’ – Fiona Scott of Scott Media – Journalism, Public Relations and Media

I am delighted to welcome Fiona Scott, of Scott Media, as a Friend of the SMBN’ I have known Fiona for a number of years and have worked with her when she helped me launch the business and I am so proud that she has joined as a friend, to further support the network. Fiona Scott is a journalist of more than 30 years’ experience and has run her own media consultancy for the last 12 years, working with business large and small. She offers both training and service delivery in PR, marketing strategy, animation, videography & social media management. She started her career in newspapers and Hospital Radio, went into television and has worked on programmes including The One Show, Flog It!, Dispatches & 100s of regional tv programmes. She set up her own business and now is a PR/journalist hybrid.

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Single Mums Business Network Awards and Covid-19 – This is what is going to happen!

We had planned to celebrate with the first UK National Awards for Single Mums in Business on May 23rd 2020. Due to Covid, we played it safe and postponed the Awards until November 21st 2020, but following today’s announcement by the Prime Minister about events closing down, likely for another 6 months, we have had to succumb to the virus and make alternative plans! But challenges never stop us, and we always reflect on the positive! So here’s the GOOD NEWS….

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Member success story – single mum in business created three female breadwinners, and has now hired a new member of staff who is pregnant

To try and articulate how immensly proud I am to share Laura’s story seems to great a task. Not only is she a single mum who faught to make work work for her and her family, she sustained, she grew, she employed, and during Covid-19 when the self-employed partners lost work, she created and sustained three breadwinners. To add icing on the cake she has now employed a new member of staff who is pregnant. That story will follow. I always wanted to showcase the single mums who dispel misconceptions that single mums are work shy living on benefits to get a free house. We are women, and amazing women at that! Here is what Laura says:

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

SMBN MEMBERSHIP – PROFIT OR PURPOSE?

For our children, we work together, for change, for a better life. PARENTING SHOULD NOT CARRY A FINANCIAL PENALTY, We NEED to create tomorrow’s carers, nurses, shopkeepers, vets, cleaners, administrators ETC. We have to continue the life cycle! and we SHOULD not be dismissed for doing it!

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Genny Jones – Happiness and Wellbeing Consultant

Genny Jones has been working in the accounting profession for 25 years in various roles. Over the years she has overcome a period of work burn out, depression and low self esteem to developing her unique happiness and wellbeing sessions aimed at businesses to help employees manage their stress levels so that they can be more productive.

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome new ‘Friend of the SMBN’ – Carol McIntyre, Exec Pro VA

I’m delighted to welcome Carol McIntyre, Exec Pro VA @execprova as a ‘friend of the SMBN’.

The mission of the SMBN is ‘To help self-employed working mums in the UK who are fighting solo to be financially independent whilst there for their families’. Friends of the SMBN are valuable in helping us gain this exposure and benefit from very affordable exposure with every visit to the SMBN.

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Students in Mind..

SMBN Member Sarah Harvey joined the network when her business idea was in its infancy. She has since supported other members, coordinated meetings in Liverpool to help other women grow and now she is ready to share more information about her business – Students in Mind. Students in Mind offers wellbeing coaching & facilitating within … Read More

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New Member – Danielle Fletcher – Certified Social Media Marketer, Facebook & Instagram Ads Strategist, Learn Digital With Danielle

I am delighted to welcome Danielle Fletcher, Certified Social Media Marketer, Facebook & Instagram Ads Strategist, Learn Digital With Danielle, to the Single Mums Business Network. We met at a recent Woman Who awards event in Coventry and made an immediate connection. If you are still shy about networking, please don’t be, once we have … Read More

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New Member – Noreen Khan, Board of Directors – Neesie. NEESIE is a unique concept which provides supportive friendships and help for single mothers

I am delighted to welcome Noreen Khan to the Single Mums Business Network. Noreen is on the Board of Directors at NEESIE, an organisation which I had not previously heard of, but now I know about it I am very pleased to share it with you. NEESIE is a grassroots organisation providing a platform for … Read More

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New Member, Nina Bambrey of Flipturn – Author of ‘Journey into Parenting’ – a book and online course…

Nina and I met on Linkedin and I am very pleased to welcome her to our national network of Single Mums in Business. I am so proud of the Calibre of women who are joining the network to not only help themselves, but help each other. Here’s what Nina says; Author of “Journey into Parenting”, … Read More

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New Member, Gill Hogg, Will Writer at The Will Guys to the SMBN. Gill has also taken on the role of County Coordinator for two Counties, Northumberland & Tyne and Wear!

What a superwoman! Gill is not only a full-time teacher but she has trained and set-up as a Will Writer. Single Mum to two children and now SMBN County Coordinator for two Counties! Here’s what Gill says: Hi everyone,  my name is Gill and I work with ‘The Will Guys’ who are based in Wallsend, … Read More

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

The first ever National SMBN awards, will be held on Saturday 23rd May 2020, finalists will be announced on 21st March 2020 #SingleParentsDay

The first ever SMBN awards, will be held on Saturday 23rd May 2020, at #Mercure #Gloucester, Bowden Hall Hotel. The event will be from 5pm – 8/9pm and is a black tie event for parents and children. Award entries are closing soon and finalists will be announced on 21st March 2020 #SingleParentsDay Single Parents Day. … Read More

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New Member, Claire Harris, Pets 2 Places (a great franchise opportunity!)

Welcome New Member, Claire Harris, Pets 2 Places (a great fanchise opportunity!)

Members enjoy exposure to their business with every visit to the SMBN and associated PR. Please don’t hesitate to join us if you are a Single Mum working hard to pay the bills alone, we are here to help you. You do not have to be a single mum to join, we have friends of the SMBN too. Every time a new member joins she is not only helping herself but helping every other member and friend of the SMBN, we welcome you x

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Making work work as a mum is a serious issue, not a fluffy millennial snowflake fad. Yesterday I spent four hours listening to an abused lady, too scared to leave her husband, for fear of how to survive…

I am clearly serious about the Single Mums Business Network, but I often promote it in a very light-hearted way, but when I have a meeting like the one I had yesterday, I cannot stress enough the importance of enabling a person to generate a healthy income, whilst being a primary carer. A relationship should … Read More

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Catherine Gladwyn, ‘Friend’ of the SMBN, runs a successful virtual assistant business, has published an award winning bestselling book, mentors other business owners, and, lives with Addison’s disease and recurring pituitary tumours… she shares because she cares!

Catherine Gladwyn, Friend of the SMBN, runs a successful virtual assistant business, has published an award winning bestselling book, mentors other business owners, and, lives with Addison’s disease and recurring pituitary tumours… she shares because she cares!

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New Member, Shannon Andrews, Lettering Artist, to the Single Mums Business Network..

Welcome Shannon Andrews, Lettering artist living is Surrey specialising in bespoke notebook cover designs. Each notebook is hand lettered to order with an inspirational uplifting quote or personalised with a name of your choice – making them the ideal gift for yourself, a friend or loved one. Want your own saying or favourite quote? Get in touch…anything is possible!

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

I set up the Single Mums Business Network following my own 8 year journey as a single mum trying to balance work, childcare, finance and business.. despite stigma.

‘FLEXIBLE WORKING ISN’T AN OPTION.’ THAT’S WHAT MY EMPLOYER CONFIRMED DURING MY MATERNITY. I HAD TO CHOOSE, MY CAREER OR MY DAUGHTER? I CHOSE MY DAUGHTER, AND PAID THE PRICE. When I say I paid the price I want to be clear from the off, I do not and never have regretted choosing my daughter. Every cuddle, … Read More

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome new ‘Friend of the SMBN’ – Hannah Edwards, Empowered Virtual Assistant

I’m delighted to welcome Hannah Edwards of Empowered VA as a ‘friend of the SMBN’.

A membership was donated to Fiona Scott’s Silent Christmas Auction which she runs every year in aid of Ainslie’s Pavilion project, which she set-up in memory of her friend Ainslie, who lost her life to Breast Cancer in 2015. I try to support this most years and this year Hannah made a donation and was the lucky winner of the annual SMBN membership. Read more…

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New Member Laura Callahan of Willow HR, to the Single Mums Business Network

Laura says: ‘At the end of 2016, after 15 years in HR and Recruitment, I started Willow HR Consulting. We specialise in supporting small to medium-sized enterprises achieve their strategic objectives through their people. This sometimes means we are supporting a business to resolve an immediate critical issue, working on medium-term projects or offering long-term … Read More

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New Member – Chel Dowdie of Translation Well (French * English) to the Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New Member – Chel Dowdie of Translation Well (French * English) to the Single Mums Business Network

Chel specialises in translation services to the education, journalism and legal sectors

I have no doubt of the calibre of Single Mums in the UK and the SMBN is here to ensure that they get the exposure they deserve to help them succeed in making work work alongside of caring for their family

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New Member, Tanya Gebhardt, to the SMBN, Tanya specialises in Permanent Make Up and is based in Malvern

I am delighted to welcome Tanya Gebhardt to the Single Mums Business Network. I will confess that reading Tanya’s introduction made me cry. So many of our members share stories of walking down the isle or starting a family in a loving relationship and never expecting to be a ‘single mum’, but alas we are and we are coming together to not only support ourselves, but support all Single Mums in Business throughout the UK, read what she says here;

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New Member – Charlotte from The Marketing Barn – to the SMBN

I would like to welcome Charlotte England, from The Marketing Barn to the Single Mums Business Network. Charlotte is based in Somerset but works with clients Nationwide. Charlotte is not only now gaining exposure to ‘her’ business but she is helping all Single Mums in Business in the UK (members) gain exposure to theirs. Thank you Charlotte for joining the SMBN

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Award Entries now OPEN

The awards are FREE to enter and the event will be kept as cost. The event is early evening for parents AND children. We already have some great prizes and will continually look for support to make sure amazing memories are created for these children watching their amazing single mums!

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome new member and SMBN County Coordinator for BRISTOL, Emma Greenslade – Life in Harmony and Wildly Successful Mama

I would like to welcome Emma Greenslade of Life in Harmony and Wildly Successful Mama to the SMBN. Emma has also taken on the role of County Coordinator for BRISTOL. – Take some time to look at her links below to see the depth of what she does… I met Emma at Kirsty’s Gloucester SMBN last week and I know she’s perfect to take care of our Bristol SMiBs.

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Award-Winning Best Selling Author and Virtual Assistant Catherine Gladwyn shares inspiration at the Single Mums Business Network Conference 2019

Catherine started her Virtual Assistant business while still employed, with a daughter at college, no pension and no savings.

Catherine shares her journey in her award winning bestselling book, How to be a Virtual Assistant, which was written to help others break free from the
restraints of employment and enjoy their working life.

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Women in Business – Single Mums – Affordable Exposure

Single Mums Business Network aka SMBN – AE = Affordable Exposure – When you are a self-employed Single Mum in the UK finding a PR budget can be really hard, and so the SMBN is here to provide that crucial affordable platform, where you can gain exposure and connect with like minded hard-working women who are doing all that they can to achieve financial independence and enjoy family life.

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Meet the mum’s mum!

This is my mum! And she has done herself proud! Years ago they did not have the power of the social media or the internet to fight for financial independence and get their 5 mins of glory – so I’m doing that now, because I want my mum to be recognised. She too was a … Read More

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome new FRIEND – Alison Holmes – PERITIA

On the back of support from wonderful business people who are not single parents, wanting to join the network and attend the conference I have created ‘Friends of the SMBN’.  And I would like to give a warm welcome to Alison Holmes of PERITIA, who will now benefit from exposure to her business with every view of the Single Mums Business Network.

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome new FRIEND – Marie Hall – EMPOWERMENT HOUSE

On the back of support from wonderful business people who are not single parents, wanting to join the network and attend the conference I have created ‘Friends of the SMBN’.  And I would like to give a warm welcome to Marie Hall of Empowerment House, who will now benefit from exposure to her business with every view of the Single Mums Business Network.

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Passion, Purpose & Pride

How about that.. It’s always nice to have a p! The title of this blog really does some up my reason for founding the SMBN, it is with great conviction that I speak to help raise awareness of the issues surrounding us to do my bit to minimise difficulty for others.. For 20 years my … Read More

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New Member – Heather Martin – Support for Businesses

I am passionate about helping businesses owners create robust and sustainable businesses. As a busy and “happily single” mother of 2 beautiful daughters I am lucky enough to balance the two. I believe businesses don’t know what they don’t know and I help them navigate and engage with all the often FREE support which is available, but is not easily located.

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network
Single Mums Business Network

Single Mums in Business Network

The SMBN (Single Mums in Business Network) is for Women in Business in the UK, who understand the journey of being solely responsible for making ends meet each month. The SMBN is to help these women gain EXPOSURE, to enable then to succeed so that they are not forced to sacrifice the precious parenting years … Read More

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Lidia Peto – Member Story

Lidia has kindly taken the time to share her very personal story with us – I have to be honest, I couldn’t get through it without crying, and some of it was so familiar that it made me realise that the SMBN is about so much more than business.  As women we have dealt with pain, loneliness, financial struggle and desperately wanting so much more for our children that we come together.  We come together in our quest to physically be there for them and to give them some financial stability.  It is true that when you experience such raw struggle you do not wish that on another woman, and when you have come through it you do all that you can to help those who walk a similar path. 

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network

Welcome New Member – Catherine Gennard – The Sustainable Life Coach

I have no doubt of the calibre of Single Mums in the UK and the SMBN is here to ensure that these ladies get the recognition and exposure they deserve, and the best possible opportunity to succeed in enjoying their families and achieving financial freedom.

Catherine will now enjoy exposure to her business with every visit to the SMBN and associated PR.  Please don’t hesitate to join us if you are a Single Mum working hard to pay the bills alone, we are here to help you. 

by Jules – Single Mums Business Network