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The SMBN has always been about EXPOSURE, unashamedly. As I have been very open about my struggle against adversity to build the business since becoming a single mum in 2012 I always knew that lack of PR budget was really holding me back.
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For 20 years my journey was full-time employment, home ownership, marriage, credit & socialising whilst blissfully unaware of what it meant to need to turn to the benefits system and what it must be like to be a single mum.
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Now there are some serious gamechangers out there, who promote flexible working for real pay, and here are the ones I know about:
2to3days 923 Ten2Two WorkingMums Women like us and Capability Jane
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When you want to work but society constructively dismisses you and then penalises you for it
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I would like to welcome Sarah Harvey – to the Single Mums Business Network. Sarah has taken on the role of County Coordinator for MERSEYSIDE!
I would like to welcome Anne-Marie Jones, of the Presentation Refinery.. ‘I became a single mum to two amazing boys when my husband tragically took his own life in 2018. To say that life since hasn’t been plain sailing would be an understatement’
I would like to welcome Rebecca Ingram – Wear Your Crown, to the Single Mums Business Network. Not only has Rebecca joined as a member but she has also taken on the role of County Coordinator for WORCESTERSHIRE
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I would like to welcome Claudette Webb, the owner of The Design Webb, an Interiors and Soft Furnishings business based in SE London to the SMBN.
Meet our County Coordinators! Business Networking for Single Mums
Thanks to our speakers…
Our first conference was fantastic – thanks to the venue, our delegates and speakers…
I would like to give a warm welcome to Kay Hamblin, Director of Eight Legal to ‘Friends of the SMBN‘ who will now benefit from year round exposure to her business, because she supports the Single Mums Business Network.
I would like to give a warm welcome to Lucy Tarrant, Founding Partner and Managing Director of Cognitive Law, Cognitive Law was founded in September 2014, after a very brave decision to create a law firm where everyone could manage their own time in a way that suited their lives.
I would like to give a warm welcome to Bridget, Bridget has created a fantastic platform, and a magazine, to help all Parents in Biz and I am delighted to welcome her as a friend of the SMBN
SMBN now supports GINGERBREAD via WORK for GOOD!
It is no secret that I am a big fan of Gingerbread. They are, as far as I am aware, the only UK charity whose sole existence is to support single parents. When I became a Single Mum in 2012, I had NO idea, what to do or where to go, or what help I could get, if any.
Kirsty really impressed me with her knowledge and ethics when she recently gave a presentation at a Malvern WiRE meeting and I am delighted to welcome her as a friend of the SMBN
Kirsty is a highly qualified and experienced financial adviser. Whether you need savings, investment or pension advice, Kirsty can help.
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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
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Look Great, Feel Fabulous – Be The Real You
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Do you want to be a friend of the SMBN (Single Mums Business Network)? Read more…
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and thank you to Alison and Ed at Forest Hills Golf Club for providing a great location.
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Michelle Molyneux of MJM Virtual Solutions is just that…
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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
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.
Welcome New Member – Julia Hallewell – Network Leader & Forever Living
Julia is a member of the 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
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.
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.
Welcome New Member – Lidia Peto – Holistic Personal Trainer
Lidia is a passionate proud single mother, a holistic personal trainer, inspirational blogger, transformational life coach, mindfulness and gratitude advocate and travel enthusiast born and bred in South Africa. Lidia always dreamt of achieving great things in life however, circumstances like bereavement, poverty, abuse and trauma changed her life dramatically and she ended up taking a different journey than the one she wanted or chose.
Welcome New Member – Cara Sayer – Make It Market It Sell It
Single Mums in Business
Supporting the UK Economy
Independent Mothers
Entrepreneur
Welcome New Member – Zoë Chapman – Independent Mother
Independent Mother
Are you a Single Mum in Business in the UK? The SMBN needs YOU
Members can include but is not limited to:
Dog walkers, Cleaners, Ironing Service, Book-keepers, Accountants, Financial Advisors, Solicitors, Paralegals, Creatives, Web Design, Social Media, Virtual Assistants, Caterers, Sewing Services, Photographer, Coaching, Counselling, Beauty therapy, Massage therapy, Chiropractor, Osteopath, Gardening, Painting, Mechanics, PR – the list is really endless – basically whatever your business – join the SMBN, I promise your small investment will have the best possible impact over the next 12 months!
Welcome New Member – Kylie Rea
Business Networking for Mums in Business. The Single Mums Business Network welcomes Kylie Rea – Founder of The Mum Boss – Networking in Kent
Why I help Single Mums – Some inside info..
Since becoming a Single Mum in 2012 I have worked part-time, I have worked full-time, I have worked freelance and I have sustained my own business, I have been threatened with sanctions and set-upon by bailiffs, sent by the very people I spent 20 years to be there for me in my darkest hour, as a result of their calculation errors. I have made mistakes, and I have learned lessons. And I am not going to sit by and watch millions of women (and men) struggle, without doing my little bit to point out where there are some issues that needn’t be there.
MLM – Sitting on the fence and rules for SMBN Members
Let me start with saying – you are welcome – just one very simple rule – you make it clear if you are looking grow your team, or if you are just selling the products for an extra income, there is a significant difference. You also need to be clear from the offset what MLM company you represent and what products they sell.
We’re Exhibiting – at the Women in Business Expo!
Single Mums Business Network are Exhibiting at the Women in Business Expo to help single mums raise their profile and succeed in work/life balance and financial independence
Welcome New Member – Michelle Molyneux
I would like to welcome Michelle Molyneux of MLM Virtual Solutions to the Single Mums Business Network. See her profile here Michelle offers Virtual Assistance, namely General Administration, Audio Transcription and Proofreading and editing. What I love about Michelle’s site is the transparency of what she can do and how much she charges. This is … Read More
KIH Products to Exhibit at Holistic Health Show
Originally posted on KIH Bed:
KIH Products are excited to be exhibiting at this year’s Holistic Health Show at the Birmingam NEC in May. Director Julie will be giving a demonstration on the main stage on the Monday and the KIH Bed will be on show for you all to try before you buy during…
Benefits as a Single Mum – holding your head high
Being a single mum on benefits is not a crime, it is a small moment where you nurture your child in between a lifetime of contributions. The shame must end now.
Business Networking for Single Mums – what’s it all about?
As a single mum in business I have been networking for a number of years, and I love what networking with like-minded women does for your spirit, and your business, when most of the week you are working hard, normally alone. In the early days I did not have the confidence and I definitely suffered … Read More
Fighting for Family and Financial Independence
Certainly as a single-mum you are often made to feel as though you are committing a crime against society if you are not in employment, a crime if you work part-time and are in receipt of housing benefit and a crime if you work full-time and have to leave your child(ren) for the best part … Read More
SMBN Founder Julie Hawkins
Julie set-up her business KIH Products Ltd in 2013, two years after she designed the KIH Bed when she was pregnant with her daughter in 2011. For years Julie attended networking meetings and these were priceless with respect to the comradeship, support and encouragment from other small business owners. The only issue that Julie has … Read More
The SMBN (Single Mums Business Network)
The SMBN was formed by Single Mum and Multi-Award-Winning Business Woman Julie Hawkins to create a Business Network specifically to recognise and support the challenges that are unique to single mums when starting and growing a business in the UK.
