A group of twelve Sutton-based mums united earlier this month to talk business and what it means to ‘be a brand’. The inspirational event, held by Successful Sutton Business Improvement District, is part of the business-led initiative to offer support to local business start-ups and entrepreneurs in Sutton and was supported by Successful Mums.
The brand building training session for the budding mumpreneurs was led by Lisa Malyon, Founder of Sense, a successful Sutton-based BPro™ agency. Sense recently scooped three awards including the top award, ‘Business of the Year’, at the Sutton Business Excellence Awards in November.
As part of the session, Lisa shared advice with the female business owners on how to build their brand cost-effectively, and advised them on growing their startup businesses, based on her own recent experience.
Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics show the number of women in self-employment is increasing at a faster rate than the number of men. In 2014 women made up just under one third of the self-employed (1.4 million), a dramatic 20% increase since 2010.
Successful Suttons Marketing Manager, Teresa Whitfield comments: “As part of our BID workshop programme, the free 6 week Successful Mum’s course has been very well received. Getting Mums back to work after a career break is very important and this kind of initiative ensures that Sutton mums are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to do just that. Held at MidTown Hub, it also provides networking opportunities for mums and businesses alike”
Successful Mums Founder, Jane Knight has provided training and support for over 120 mums in Surrey, Kent and London over the last year. She comments on the programme: “From my 15 years experience training over 700 clients in total, in business and enterprise skills, I’ve learnt that the biggest barrier for most mums are: childcare, confidence and training to take them through the steps to business start up.
“It’s my mission to inspire those ambitious mums and remind them that they can achieve personal success, if they build the right skills and confidence.”
Lisa Malyon, Managing Director of Sense, commented on the importance of these types of events:
“I imagine that starting a business is very similar to becoming a new mum - it’s pretty scary, and is like walking blind-folded into the unknown. Some advice you take is bad, and some, you find is better, but at the time there is so much information to cut through.
“The advice that I give to female, (and male) business owners is very straightforward, and helps them to cut through the information overload, and learn from my experience. Building a brand is an art, and not something that can be done overnight, however it can be fast-tracked with the right focus and energy, as well as good advice.”