Hiya! I'm Bianca Chappell, the proud Founder of The Mumpreneur UK Network formally know as (thanks to national growth) The Mumpreneurs MK Network. I am so delighted you have stopped by this page to learn more about the "why" behind this beautiful support organisation of mums in enterprise, it is my absolute pleasure to share the journey so far with you.

 

All the way back in 2012 life brought me to my knees, it dramatically changed as I found out I was pregnant with triplets. It was a natural and unplanned yet a welcomed surprise pregnancy, that turned into an emotionally distressing and turbulent new chapter, where sadly my husband and I experienced the trauma that is multiple child loss in pregnancy. 

 

Post pregnancy and at this point now mummy to two rainbow babies, all I wanted to do was enjoy the blessing that is motherhood, having had a career to be proud of, I knew that making a request to return back to work on on a part-time basis, whilst accommodating for childcare for two children wasn't going to be an easy task, or financially viable. So after months of extended maternity leave, I made the decision to take a career break to be a full-time mum. But I also knew that with all the joys and fulfilment of motherhood. It felt like a good time to pursue my dream of starting a private coaching practice where I could proudly say; 

 

"I am a mum and... a Master NLP Life Coach"

 

As I explored my options of becoming self-employed, I came up against hurdle after hurdle for simple things such as. Connecting with Business Advisors and Mentors, accessing training and workshops to help me grow. Attending business support groups and networking clubs, that wasn't stuffy or full of people that appeared to have cookie cutter businesses that were thriving, and earning them money whilst they sleep. Not to mention learning all the elements of the business that was outside of my core zone of genius. Like SEO, PR & Marketing, social media content creation, website design, tax and accounts, graphic design to name a few!

My business was a blank page in one of my many notebooks, that needed formulating. Yet I couldn't find the support to help me connect the dots and grow. 

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I was desperate to meet and connect with like-minded women in business, who was on the same entrepreneurial journey as me, I knew I couldn't have been alone in this journey of giving it my all and getting nowhere fast due to lack of knowledge and support. I wanted to meet other women who were also mums, starting or running their own businesses following a career break, that were open and honest about the difficulties that one faces when setting up a business, whilst being a mum and wearing all the hats we were as women.

 

I couldn't find that body of support... so I created it.

 

"Be the change you want to see!"

 

With my carry case of transferable skills, awards, and professional qualifications I had picked up and a successful career working in the commercial business and third sector. I committed time to start and cultivate a small space on social media, in the hope of connecting and engaging with women and mums on their own journey of enterprise together. Women who had the same passion as me to share their experiences, knowledge, and skills to help each other grow in business. Suddenly that body of support I craved at the beginning of my very own journey, was being built in the most beautiful and organic way. Helping me with the start of my business and 100s of other women's business dreams too.

 

I soon realised I was navigating my way through something quite special, and quickly accepted the fact that I had connected a tribe of women who like me were serious about starting their own business and were happy to share support, inspire and empower each other. Collaborating on projects and entrepreneurial development opportunities became a new normal for my new Mumpreneur tribe. Being honest about our mum boss experiences became the driving force that linked us together. I had created a beautiful space online that was full of women like me, mums in enterprise all open to connecting and supporting each other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Now, being a community development worker at heart, I knew I had to cultivate this community I had brought together more, it was time to grow. I became addicted to sourcing and sharing new platforms of support and shining a light and celebrating the success of others within the community. I knew I had to do more, I felt responsible for the development of the women I had brought together. So I took the leap of formulating the space online a little bit more, and together with a few other ladies with the same passion of supporting women as I have, we registered as a non-profit community organisation. Becoming an organisation that has grown into so much more than a wonderful platform of support on social media. 

 

This was a huge step but one that felt right, there was a need and I was honoured to respond to the call and be the person to provide a much-needed platform to help mums in enterprise develop and thrive, both personally and professionally. 

 

Fast forward to date and The Mumpreneurs UK Network has become the UK's first non-profit organisation championing and supporting the entrepreneurial journey of mums in enterprise. Backed by the support, sponsorship, and investment of commercial business, with over 1.5K Mumpreneurs within our Facebook group where it all started, and 100s of Mumpreneurs behind the business supported since we started in 2012. Proving that great things happen when women come together, and the power that takes place when you exchange collaboration in business for competition. 

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We have become so much more than a beautiful space on social media managed on my smartphone, we are now a nationally recognised platform of support for mums in enterprise. With our own HQ, an annual empowerment conference, a monthly membership club, a mentorship programme, our own business development academy, and a business grants process all as part of our core offer. All complemented by our high engagement group on Facebook over 1.5K+ mums in enterprise, the place where all the magic began.

 

Running The Mumpreneurs UK Network is my passion project of love, that comes from a place of true understanding of the real face of starting a business whilst raising a young family. It is hard hard work, but with support, it is an easier ride. 

 

So if you find yourself full of Mumpreneur overwhelm or at the crossroads of giving up on your business because you feel alone, with low confidence in your abilities,  or are perhaps in need of business development training and support connect with the platform of support that The Mumpreners UK Network provides. I am sure we can signpost you to an event, workshop, or one of our Business Advisors, Mentors or Coach, or even one of our spaces online where you can simply connect engage and be inspired and find the support you need to help both you and your business grow.

 

If you ever come to one of our events or perhaps see me at one of my speaking engagements, please come and say hi, I love to meet every one of the amazing women that make up The Mumpreneurs UK Network, together we make our organisation great.

 

Bianca Chappell 

Founder of The Mumpreneurs UK Network