Blog

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/flexible-working-isnt-option-thats-what-my-employer-i-julie/?trackingId=ZcxOvIDEGTC95%2BWz5qn%2B8w%3D%3D

We have a lot of high profile talk at the moment about the #housingcrisis and a lot of amazing people trying to solve the issue of high private rents – encouraging the building of more affordable homes to enable people to work, and enjoy a decent standard of living, without being cripled by rising living costs and stagnant archaic wages.

Read Blog…

Even living wage **is not enough** to enable people to live their lives every week, month, year, without worrying about meeting the rent or mortgage, and without being penalised by the banks or utility or insurance companies for **having** to pay monthly.

Read Blog

‘It doesn’t pay to work’. This is something I have heard for many years and the words have caused me great discomfort. It is often perceived that living on benefits is a comfy lifestyle option, and with great analysis I have reached my own conclusion, which of course I am sharing as we all know I love to put the world to rights, as I see it.

Read more..

Single Mums Business Network SMBN - Affordable Exposure for Self-Employed Single Mums in the UK — **EXPOSURE**

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.

**Read More…**

**Passion, Purpose & Pride**

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.

**Read More...**

Helping Single Mums working in sch — **Why I help Single Mums – Some inside info..**

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

**Read more…**

MLM – Sitting on the fence and rules for SMBN Members

**Read more…**

Virtual Assistant — Michelle offers Virtual Assistance, namely General Administration, Audio Transcription and Proofreading and editing.

**Read more…**

Benefits as a Single Mum. Holding your head high.

**Read more…**

Single Mums Business Network Blog — Business Networking for Single Mums – what’s it all about?

**Read more…**

Fighting for Family and Financial Independence

When you want to work but society constructively dismisses you and then penalises you for it

**Read more…**

SMBN Founder Julie Hawkins

**Read more…**

I would like to welcome Sarah Harvey – to the Single Mums Business Network. Sarah has taken on the role of County Coordinator for MERSEYSIDE!

Read More…

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’

Read more…

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

Read more…

Welcome new members, Rachel Shilston, Lucinda Dore and Kirstie Preece – Rachel is the Creative Director of a dynamic and innovative company, delivering fun mosaic workshops, unique kits and a monthly subscription box service, Lucinda Dore is a Solicitor and the Principal of LD Legal Services. She specialises in Private Crime & Regulatory Law, Road Traffic Law and Benefit Appeal Tribunals and Kirstie a Utility Warehouse Business Owner and network buddy for Omni Local Business Networking

Read more…

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.

Read more…

Meet our County Coordinators! Business Networking for Single Mums

Read more…

Thanks to our speakers…

Our first conference was fantastic – thanks to the venue, our delegates and speakers…

Read more…

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.

Read more…

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.

Read more…

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

Read more…

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.

Read more…

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.

Read more…

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

**Read more**

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

**Read more**

Do you want to shout out to your mum who was a single mum in the 60’s 70’s 80’s? (or any year!) Drop me an e-mail and photo to..

Read more…

Alison is a fantastic Networker and Trainer and I am delighted to welcome her as a friend of the SMBN – Read all about her and PERITIA …

Read more…

Marie is a Powerhouse and I am delighted to welcome her as a friend of the SMBN – Read all about her and EMPOWERMENT HOUSE …

Read more…

Lisa always looks great and she certainly knows how to help others look and feel great too –
Look Great, Feel Fabulous – Be The Real You

Read more…

Do you want to be a friend of the SMBN (Single Mums Business Network)? Read more…

Julie Hawkins is a NATIONAL FINALIST in the ‘Leadership’ Category of The Positive Awards

**Read more…**

Thank you to Rebecca Hardy at Edge21 for creating this PR VT for the SMBN
and thank you to Alison and Ed at Forest Hills Golf Club for providing a great location.

**Read more…**

A Virtual Assistant is your right arm, your confidant, your back bone, your spokes!

Michelle Molyneux of MJM Virtual Solutions is just that…

**Read more…**

For pet owners looking for a truly special memory/gift, our stunning range of sterling silver jewellery showcasing your pet’s unique paw print is a must! With 10 years’ experience we are ideally positioned to advise you on the best gifts, keepsakes and jewellery designs,

**Read more..**

In 2018 Amy founded Business Choir, a networking phenomenon which combines the joy of singing with the benefits of relaxed networking.

**Read more…**

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.’

**Read more…**

Welcome New Member – Julia Hallewell – Network Leader & Forever Living

**Read more…**

The SMBN (Single Mums Business Network) if for mums in the UK who are fighting for family and financial freedom

**Read more…**

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

**Read more…**

Having been through a very difficult few years I found myself a single mum back in my home town and feeling like I had hit a plateau which I wanted to rise above. I sought the help of a life coach and made such amazing progress with my goals. I discovered that all my skills and passions would be put to fabulous use as a life coach myself.

**Read more…**

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.

**Read more…**

Cara is a multi award-winning entrepreneur who’s much more at home sharing the real life struggles of trying to run a business (and a life) than reeling off her accolades.

**Read more…**

Zoë has kindly shared an in-depth blog which you can read below, and she is actively organising events to help all Single Mums aka Independent Mothers –

**Read more…**

Are you a Single Mum in Business in the UK? The SMBN needs YOU

**Read more…**

Kent Networking for Single Mums — This Kent based networking group is designed to help (all) mums grow in confidence and be supported in following their dreams- while still being ‘Mum’!

**Read more…**

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 KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network September 22, 2020September 22, 2020

Welcome New Member – Susie Mackie – Founder – Women of Spirit

I am delighted to welcome Susie Mackie, Photographer, Author, Founder of Women of Spirit and Hotter Shoes Inspirational Woman! to the Single Mums Business Network. I have been connected with Susie for a few years and admired her work from afar, and I am so proud that she is a fellow SMiB and has joined … Read More

by KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network September 16, 2020

Welcome New Member, Fabienne Wilkinson to the Single Mums Business Network. Fabienne is a VA and Paralegal.

I am delighted to welcome Fabienne to the SMBN – Fabs is a Virtual Assistant and Paralegal based near Cardiff and she has joined the SMBN to help her gain exposure to her new business and to join a network of like-minded professional single mums. Here is what Fabienne says:

by KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network September 1, 2020

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 KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network August 29, 2020August 29, 2020

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 KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network August 20, 2020August 20, 2020

Meet Jane, shop eco for xmas, and browse for some cards to post to your loved ones..

We love Jane. Jane has been a member of the SMBN for several months and she supports so many local networks it’s incredible. Jane promotes herself as a Utility Warehouse Partner (see her welcome post here), but that’s not all she does – like getting blood out of a stone I recently learned of her … Read More

by KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network June 17, 2020

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 KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network June 5, 2020

Welcome New Member, Gemma Bullock, Aurora Within

Hi I’m Gem I’m a single mum to two boys aged 9 and 6 my eldest son has additional needs. I work part time in a pharmacy as a dispenser as well as running my own beauty business from home (aurora Within) I’ve just further expanded my Beauty business to do aesthetics such as lip … Read More

by KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network May 27, 2020

Webinar: Single Mums in Business and Flexible Working. Thank you to the British Library for Facilitating

Here is the presentation: Thank you to those of you who joined us today, and this is for those of you who requested a recording. We could have talked for hours, I will arrange another webinar or workshop soon. Jules x http://www.singlemumsbusinessnetwork.com

by KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network May 26, 2020

Welcome New Member, Esther Nagle. Blog and Social Media Content Writer for Yoga Teachers

I would like to welcome Esther Nagle, of beherewritenow.co.uk to the Single Mums Business Network. Esther is based in Wales but the nature of her work means that she can help you wherever you are in the UK! Here’s what Esther says: What do you get when you combine a love of writing with a … Read More

by KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network May 19, 2020

We don’t need no education! (despite the double negative!) We just need less time control..

As part of my journey in establishing the SMBN and what it stands for, I have spent a significant amount of time researching what support is out there, for women who have been locked out of their careers, since making the very selfish decision of keeping the conveyor belt of life going.. Gone are the … Read More

by KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network April 30, 2020April 30, 2020

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 KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network April 2, 2020April 6, 2020

Covid-19 and destitute self-employed, self-sufficient single mums

I have long campaigned for the right of a mother, or any primary carer, to be able to enjoy the sanctuary of employment with some flexibility to work 0.6 or 0.8 FTE without sacrificing skillset or pay scale. As it stands, many women ‘choose’ self-employment, as an alternative to a benefits lifestyle when they find themselves … Read More

by KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network March 31, 2020

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 KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network March 23, 2020May 10, 2020

Welcome New Member, Rebecca Flynn – Director of Alpha and Omega Recruitment, London & Liverpool

I am delighted to welcome Rebecca to the SMBN! Again, Rebecca just showcases the professional woman that is also a Single Mum – are you beginning to see? Rebecca met Sarah, our County Coordinator in Liverpool last month and I am so pleased that she has now decided to join our fantastic National Network, of … Read More

by KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network March 20, 2020

How the fragile economy and relative poverty will now cost lives..

For too long, relative poverty, high debt and cost have living v low income has been ignored, or brushed under the carpet, and now it is clearly evident that a significant portion of society simply cannot afford to ‘ride the storm’ for a few weeks or a few months, in what should be a time, … Read More

by KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network March 18, 2020

I’m a Finalist! Woman Who Achieves Awards 2020 with Sandra Garlick MBE

Just in-case you didn’t see my post on Facebook, or Instagram, or Twitter, or Google, or LinkedIn, or if you didn’t see me skipping down the road! I have news… I’m a finalist! and yes I am celebrating it’s a really big deal.. I first applied for the Woman Who Achieves Awards in 2018 – … Read More

by KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network March 11, 2020March 22, 2020

Welcome New Member, Carly Wheeler, Trainee Tattoo Artist, TJT

I am delighted to welcome Carly to the Single Mums Business Network. It is so easy to judge a Single Mum, and many still do… 18 months ago Carly was happily married with a young child and a baby on the way, and then tragedy struck…. Tom Wheeler was a loving husband and doting father. … Read More

by KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network March 5, 2020

Welcome New Member – Val Hood. Evidential Medium. Australia and UK

I am delighted to welcome Val Hood, Evidential Medium, to the SMBN. Val is a perfect example of why it is so important for a family to manage on a single income so that women are not trapped in abusive relationships. Val is from the UK but now lives in Australia and offers workshops and … Read More

by KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network March 4, 2020

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 KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network March 4, 2020

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 KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network March 2, 2020March 22, 2020

Welcome New Member, Genny Jones from Genny Jones Training (accountancy) to the Single Mums Business Network

I am delighted to welcome Genny Jones to the Single Mums Business Network. We have been connected on Twitter for some time and I had no idea she was a fellow SMiB! Here’s what she says: With over 20 years experience of working in the accounting field in various roles. In my business, I help … Read More

by KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network March 2, 2020

Member Showcase. Jane Scanlan, Cherish, Transform, Updgrade..

Success is dependent on effort! Take a look at Jane’s updated website… https://cherishtransformupgrade.com/ A blog post does not have to be long – but it has to serve a purpose! I have a a public FB page and I invite members to share their business to this page as part of their membership. If you … Read More

by KIH Products Ltd T/A Single Mums Business Network February 26, 2020

Do you want to be a friend of the SMBN (Single Mums Business Network)? Read more…

Share this:

Like this: