In this episode of the Work It Like a Mum Podcast, we chat with Hannah Fleming, founder of Ocean Bug Travel, about her journey from running a stressful homewares business to creating a thriving, flexible travel business and network marketing venture.

Hannah shares her honest experience of pivoting her career, building a business around family life, and breaking through industry stereotypes.

What We Cover:

• Hannah’s journey from law to entrepreneurship and key lessons from her first business.
• Discovering the travel business and why it was the perfect fit.
• Running a travel booking business: client types, logistics, and insider tips.
• Understanding commissions and strategies to maximise earnings, including cruises.
• The network marketing side: myths, the real model, and uncapped income potential.
• How this industry empowers women and contributes to closing the gender pay gap.
• Opportunities from global expansion and being an early adopter.
• Practical advice for starting a flexible, low-risk business.

Key Takeaways:

1. Experience Matters: Skills from previous ventures are invaluable, even if that business didn’t succeed.
2. Flexibility + Income: A travel and network marketing business can offer flexible work hours, low startup costs, and uncapped earning potential.
3. Personalised Service Wins: Clients value expertise and time-saving services, especially for complex travel bookings.
4. Network Marketing is a Business: Success depends on effort and commitment—not “get rich quick” schemes.
5. Women Thriving: Industries without glass ceilings enable ambitious women to earn, lead, and close the gender pay gap.
6. Low-Risk Entry: With a small monthly subscription, you can start your own travel agency without high upfront costs.

Why Listen:
If you’re a parent, aspiring entrepreneur, or someone looking for a business that fits around your life, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

Show Links:

Connect with our host Elizabeth Willetts here

Connect with Hannah on LinkedIn here

Follow Ocean Bug Travel Here

Find Out More About Ocean Bug Travel Here

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In this week's episode of the Work it Like a Mum Podcast, we're joined by Anna Birbeck, Director of Regions & Partnerships at IN4 Group and the driving force behind the Mums in Data (MIND) programme.

Anna breaks down why data roles are flexible, secure, future-proof, and far more accessible than you might think. We explore what data jobs really involve, why mums naturally excel in them, and how the MIND programme is supporting women to restart or pivot their careers with confidence.

What We Cover:

• Why data and AI roles are perfect for working mums
• The real barriers mums face returning to work – and how to overcome them
• What a data analyst actually does (no jargon!)
• Why you don’t need a tech or maths background
• How the 12-week Mums in Data programme sets you up for success
• Apprenticeships as a confidence-boosting entry route
• Flexible, remote, and family-friendly career options
• The growing demand for women in data and AI
• How mums’ everyday skills are exactly what employers want
• Where to apply and how programme expansion follows demand

Key Takeaways:

• No maths or tech background required, data roles rely more on curiosity and critical thinking than coding.
• Data careers are future-proof, in-demand, and offer real flexibility for school hours and family life.
• Mums already have the winning skill set: communication, problem-solving, pattern recognition, and emotional intelligence.
• A 12-week programme + apprenticeship pathway provides a supported, step-by-step route back into employment.
• Confidence is the main blocker, not ability, and the programme is built to rebuild that confidence gradually.
• Employers want returner mums, they’re an untapped talent pool with highly valuable transferable skills.

Why Listen:

If you’ve wondered whether a career in data or AI could work for you, especially after a career break or if you need more flexibility, this episode is a must-listen.

Show Links:

Connect with our host Elizabeth Willetts here

Connect with Anna on LinkedIn here

Visit IN4 Groups' website here

Learn more about the MIND programme here

Register your interest to join the MIND programme here

Support the show

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!

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Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

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In this episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, we chat with Gemma Graystone, a Talent Acquisition Manager, mum of two, and a new side hustle success story. Gemma shares how she turned a small £10 investment into a flexible income stream during maternity leave, all while balancing life with two little ones. If you’re curious about side hustles that actually work around family life, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration.

What We Cover:

• How Gemma discovered her side hustle and overcame initial doubts
• The simple, low-cost way she started with Utility Warehouse
• Training, support, and team culture that made success achievable
• Real-world strategies for finding your first customers
• Flexible ways to fit work around family life
• Incentives, bonuses, and extra perks that make it motivating
• How she achieved £1,800 in just seven weeks

Key Takeaways:

• Starting small works: £10 can be all it takes to begin your side hustle journey
• Training and mentorship are essential for confidence and success
• Flexibility is key- work around your family schedule, not against it
• Word-of-mouth and authentic recommendations are powerful tools
• Team support and a positive culture make a huge difference
• Side hustles can provide both financial relief and long-term income potential

Why Listen:

For mums looking to earn extra income without compromising family life, this episode is a must-listen. Gemma’s story is relatable, inspiring, and full of practical tips to make a side hustle work around real life.

Show Links:

Connect With Our Host, Elizabeth Willetts Here

Connect With Gemma on LinkedIn Here

Learn More About Becoming a UW Partner Here

Gemma’s Partner ID is AN9145

Support the show

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!

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Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

In this week’s episode of the Work It Like a Mum Podcast, we chat with Penny Moyses, founder of Home Life and You and certified Time Hacker Coach. Penny shares her inspiring journey from working in high-pressure events to creating a movement that helps people redesign their homes, habits, and lives to truly support their wellbeing.

Through Home Life and You Live, a thriving community and annual event at Excel London, Penny helps people navigate the juggle of work, family, and everything in between, showing that you can build a life and home that aligns with your values without losing yourself in the process.

What We Cover:

💡 How Home Life and You began, and the challenges that inspired it
🏠 Why our home environment is so closely tied to mental well-being
🧠 Practical ways to “time hack” and make space for what matters
🧺 Decluttering as a mindset shift—not just about stuff
👩‍👧 The truth about mum guilt, balance, and redefining “having it all”

Key Takeaways:

✨ You don’t need to do it all. Design a life that works for you
✨ Rest and space are powerful tools for clarity and success
✨ Your home, habits, and mindset are all connected
✨ Balance is something we create, not find
✨ Be kind to yourself, it’s productive

Why Listen:

If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin or overwhelmed by the juggle of work, home, and family, this episode will leave you feeling seen and supported. Penny’s honest, practical insights on time, home, and wellbeing show that it’s possible to thrive without burning out—and that balance starts right where you are.

Show Links:

Connect With Our Host, Elizabeth Willetts Here

Connect With Penny on LinkedIn Here

Visit Penny’s Website Here

Listen to Vikki Yaffe’s Podcast Episode: How to Take Back Your Time and Beat Burnout Here

Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.

Support the show

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!

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Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

In this week’s episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, we sit down with Jane van Zyl, CEO of Working Families, the UK’s leading charity supporting working parents and carers.

Jane and Liz dive deep into what’s really holding parents back at work, from rigid systems and outdated expectations to the rising cost of childcare. Jane shares how Working Families is changing the game through free legal advice, employer partnerships, and government influence, helping to build a fairer, more flexible future of work.

What We Cover

• The mission of Working Families and how they support both employees and employers.
• The biggest barriers working parents face in today’s workplaces.
• Why flexible working is so much more than just working from home.
• Key legal rights for working parents, and how to navigate them.
• How small businesses can lead the way in flexibility.
• The story behind the Family Friendly Workplace Certification.
• The harsh reality of childcare costs and income inequality.
• Inspirational examples of progressive employers like Deloitte.

Key Takeaways

💬 Flexibility starts with a conversation, not a confrontation.

💪 90% of people who contact Working Families keep their jobs and gain flexibility.

🧩 Small businesses can be surprisingly family-friendly.

💷 Work should pay, but for too many families, it still doesn’t.

🏆 Measure what matters if you want real change.

👶 Leading employers are proving parental equality can be done.

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever felt torn between work and family, this episode is for you. You’ll gain practical tips, clarity on your rights, and a fresh take on what real flexibility means. Jane’s warmth and wisdom make this one of our most empowering episodes yet.

Show Links:

Connect With Our Host, Elizabeth Willetts Here

Connect With Jane on LinkedIn Here

Visit the Working Families Website Here

Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.

Support the show

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!

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Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

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In this episode of the Work It Like a Mum Podcast, we sit down with Paula Brockwell, founder and director of the Employee Experience Project, to unpack the real power of workplace culture. Paula explains why culture isn’t just about “Sunday night vibes” but is a system that drives employee behaviour, performance, and business success.

What We Cover:

• What business culture really is and why it matters
• Why there’s no universal “perfect culture” and how alignment with business goals is key
• The role of leadership in connecting employees to the mission
• How KPIs can support or harm culture
• Resetting psychological contracts to create empowered, high-performing teams
• Preparing for the future of work with AI and evolving skill requirements

Key Takeaways:

• Culture is more than vibes: It shapes how people act, what’s acceptable, and how success happens.
• No one-size-fits-all: The best culture fits your business context, goals, and mission.
• Leadership matters: Great leaders connect people to the mission and help them thrive.
• Behaviour over motivation: Culture drives the actions that achieve results—not just good feelings.
• Psychological contracts: Clear, adult-to-adult agreements keep expectations realistic and engagement high.
• KPIs that align: Metrics work when they reinforce the right behaviours, not conflicting ones.
• AI and the future of work: Rethink talent, skills, and human-machine partnerships to stay ahead.

Why You Should Listen:
If you are a business leader, HR professional, or team manager, this episode offers practical guidance on building a culture that empowers employees, boosts performance, and helps your organisation thrive in any market. Paula’s insights take you beyond surface-level “culture vibes” to strategies that really make a difference.

Show Links:

Connect With Our Host, Elizabeth Willetts Here

Connect With Paula on LinkedIn Here

Visit Paula’s Website Here

Support the show

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!

Follow us on Instagram.

Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

In this episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, we sit down with career and leadership coach Kate Rainford-Foakes, who specialises in helping women navigate career transitions, especially those moving from entrepreneurship back into employment or exploring new directions.

Whether you’ve stepped away from a business, are craving more stability, or simply wondering “what’s next?”, Kate shares practical, encouraging advice for rediscovering your professional identity, reframing your story, and confidently taking your next career step.

💬 We Cover:

• How to rebuild your professional identity after running your own business
• Understanding your strengths, values, and what lights you up
• Crafting a narrative that connects your founder experience to your next chapter
• Refreshing your LinkedIn and CV to reflect where you’re going — not just where you’ve been
• The power of your network — and how to reconnect authentically
• Navigating salary expectations after self-employment
• Exploring fractional, portfolio, and hybrid career options
• Why clarity and confidence come from doing the foundational work first

💡 Key Takeaways:

• You’re not starting from scratch: Running a business builds invaluable leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Narrative is everything: The story you tell shapes how others see your value — and how you see yourself.
• Your network is gold: Most new opportunities come through people, not job boards.
• Flexibility is possible: Careers today can blend employment, consulting, and side ventures.
• Take time to reset: Building a clear vision first saves wasted energy later.

🎧 Why You Should Listen:

If you’re a former founder, freelancer, or self-employed professional wondering what’s next, this episode offers both clarity and confidence. Kate shares real, actionable strategies to help you translate your entrepreneurial experience into your next big career move, without losing the freedom and purpose that inspired you to start your business in the first place.

Show Links:

Connect With Our Host, Elizabeth Willetts Here

Connect With Kate on LinkedIn Here

Visit Kate’s Website Here

Support the show

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!

Follow us on Instagram.

Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

In this episode of the Work It Like a Mum Podcast, brand photographer and mindset coach Sarah Hoyle, founder of Nurture You, joins the conversation to share how confidence, mindset, and self-respect empower women to show up authentically, both online and in everyday life.

From battling self-doubt to embracing authenticity, Sarah shares the story behind her ACT Framework: Acknowledge, Challenge, Transform. It’s a simple but powerful method to silence the inner critic, reframe negative thoughts, and step confidently into visibility.

We Cover:

• Understanding how your brain works and applying that knowledge for growth
• The ACT Framework: Acknowledge your thoughts, Challenge your inner critic, Transform through action
• Tackling imposter syndrome and remembering you’re the expert in your field
• Building confidence through self-love, consistency, and discipline
• How mindset and photography connect to help women show up authentically online

Sarah also discusses her content confidence workshops, which blend mindset coaching with empowering brand photography sessions, assisting women in moving from self-doubt to self-expression.

Key Takeaways:

Knowledge + Action = Growth: Understanding your mind is only powerful when you apply what you learn.

ACT Framework: Acknowledge your negative thoughts, challenge them, and transform through intentional action.

Self-Discipline = Self-Respect: Building small daily habits strengthens self-trust and long-term confidence.

You Are the Expert: Confidence grows when you recognise the value you already bring to others.

Celebrate Small Wins: Regular reflection on progress builds lasting self-belief.

Feel the Fear — Do It Anyway: Confidence comes from action, not perfection.

Why Listen:

Get ready to boost your confidence, break free from self-sabotage, and use self-discipline to fuel self-respect. Celebrate every win, big or small, and start showing up authentically, on camera and in life.

Show Links:

Connect With Our Host, Elizabeth Willetts Here

Connect With Sarah on LinkedIn Here

Visit Sarah’s Website Here

Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.

Support the show

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!

Follow us on Instagram.

Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!