What She Did Next - The story of the 2020 #BackherBusiness Bosses
“‘Being supported by strangers and having people believe in you and your vision is very overwhelming, but in the best way’”
Nine months ago in the midst of the pandemic four new ‘female founders’ smashed their #BackherBusiness campaigns and started a journey into running their own organisations. One of them was me. To say it has been tricky is no understatement, a rollercoaster, a whirlwind, but would I change it… not in a million years!
On reflecting on how far I had come, I wanted to check in with the other incredible women and find out about ‘fly high’ moments AND their bumps in the roads. Their stories do not disappoint. I hope this blog gives inspiration, useful practical tips and a huge ‘you can do it’ to any fellow female founders out there with an inkling of a dream.
meet Ceri
WHO: Business Mentor & COach (Brilliant Business Strategy)
Mission: To help more parents start & grow their early stage businesses
#Backherbusiness Campaign: to start The Mubo Launchpad (5 week start-up course) that helps more parents start and scale brilliant businesses
‘Since I ran the #backherbusiness campaign the business has grown and changed beyond belief. We are now a registered social enterprise with an amazing board of four, female founders who are all working to help mums find their way in those early days of business. We’ve expanded from being ‘Wales based’ to running our signature course with enterprise agencies and hubs all over the UK. I can firmly say the idea has come to life and snowballed and I couldn’t be happier about it’.
A High: ‘I’ve probably got two. When I started campaigning for easier access to entrepreneurial support for mums, I put on my vision board that I wanted Welsh Government to listen to me. This year we carried out an engagement project across Wales in collaboration with Welsh Government. When I put that on my vision board I’d never have believed you if you’d have said we’d be working on their behalf. This work led them to asking me to join their supporting entrepreneurial Women in Wales expert panel & as I spend most of my time working in my spare room, that feels pretty fancy’
“‘I can firmly say the idea has come to life and snowballed and I couldn’t be happier about it’
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A Hurdle - The pandemic has been a challenge for so many of us, but it has a particular set of challenges for me; as a partner in a weddings/event company, when the pandemic hit I saw 6 months of income disappear in one weekend. I had to pivot hard. I started and branded a whole new business, taught myself Shopify, and found wholesalers who would trade with me. I did it. We’ve been able to save the business and keep it afloat. In the background I was doing all that while I homeschooled and then found out my partner was diagnosed with cancer. It was a scary time. He had surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. He wasn’t in any state to help out and because of lockdown we couldn’t have any outside support. Mubo was also busier than it had ever been because so many women were looking to us for support. The last year has taken me to places I never thought I’d have to go but we are still standing. My partner for the all clear and my sons managing ok in school. I take all that as a huge win.
Find out more: @ceri.gillett
Meet Emily
Who: A German baker living in London
Mission: To start BLUE DAISY - the pavement pâtisserie
#Backherbusiness Campaign: To transform an electric Tuktuk into a mobile & sustainable café roaming London’s pavements serving homemade cakes & delicious coffee
I feel like I’ve grown into a “woman in business” THANKS to #backherbusiness !
It was such a big step to put your dream out there and for people to support it, especially during the pandemic. That was definitely the best thing about the crowdfunding.
The Highs - All that visible support just gives you so much energy and drive to pursue your dream to the fullest. Although it pushed me out of my comfort zone, I’ve learnt to NEVER give up and to just decide on what you want and make it happen. One way or the other, everything is possible.
The Hurdles - Halfway through converting and legalising my coffee tuktuk I lost hope, because all that paperwork and restrictions just seemed endless and impossible to reach. But eventually I managed it all by myself and grew with every stone that was put in my path.
Find out more: @bluedaisyldn
Meet Steph
Who: Founder of Inc360
Mission: To UsE immersive technology and education to tackle youth loneliness and promote positive mental health and community
#Backherbusiness Campaign: To launch company INC360 (taking isolation with immersive community events)
‘It has been a long year with lots of learning and research. The funding from Back Her Business was a massive weight off my shoulders and meant I could focus on developing INC360's service and potential collaborators rather than spending time on bid writing when there are still some unknowns. I've been able to bring 3 placement students onboard to support the pilot which has been really exciting’
The Highs - Crowdfunding was definitely a high as it felt like we were launching the business into the community. Being supported by strangers and having people believe in you and your vision is very overwhelming but in the best way.
The Hurdles - Putting my trust in people I'm collaborating with. Juggling multiple people's schedules and wanting to make it work for everyone led to a few stressful weeks but I think I have learnt to trust my gut and make decisions quickly based on what's best for the business.
Find out more: @inc360communities
Meet Me!
Who: Creative coach & arts consultant
Mission: To help and empower people at the crossroads of their lives; by COMBINING CREATIVITY AND COACHING encourage PEOPLE TO LIVE OUT THEIR DREAMS.
#Backherbusiness Campaign: The Dash Fund - To give free coaching to parents who need it
The Back Her Business campaign gave me the chance to focus on the true purpose of my business and work that I felt could make a difference. Having a clear goal (the campaign) to work towards gave me clarity, drive and real motivation to get there. The most surprising thing was the amount of people who ‘backed me’, not just financially, but through words, messages and general ‘I’ve got your back’. The energy of the campaign helped me kickstart my business and those supporters are still very much helping me through by backing my mission. I have coached over 20 parents, over 50 sessions and am now sourcing future funding with the Children Centres to continue the work.
The Highs - When The Dash Fund came in to fruition. Coaching mums has been really rewarding and I hope made an impact at a time which has taken many parents to their limits. Working with mums who have had babies during lockdown, to those returning to work and through the children centres has been a massive privilege. I learn so much from these amazing women and it is incredible to see a ‘simple coaching session’ make a difference.
The Hurdles – The general hurdles of running a business.. one step forward and two steps back. I have had many a sleepless night thinking about finances, promotions, projects – if I have done enough prep and visits from ‘Imposter syndrome’ at the dead of night. Failure stings, but is the biggest gift, every setback goes towards building those tiny resilience bricks– they are part of your story and what makes you grow, reach and get stronger.
Find out more: @Dotdotdashcoaching
Top Tips to anyone thinking of starting a business
So if this is you, scratching your head thinking.. how do I start? what if I fail? can I do it? Here are some top tips and words of wisdom from the Female Founders above!
Back Her Business
The Back Her Business programme has closed after distributing over £1Million to support female-led businesses. Crowdfunder is still a great place to start off your business whilst creating a network; it can help you validate your idea, build your customer base before you start and raise the funds you need to make that leap. They are also waiving their platform fees for any new business starting up as a consequence of coronavirus. NatWest Business Builder is also still going to support businesses and entrepreneurs at all stages. It's free and you just need to sign up. Read my previous blog with our collective TOP TIPS to a running a Crowdfunding campaign back in July.
I hope these stories have inspired you and painted a picture of what can happen with a dream and a pinch of POW! Thank you to my amazing fellow ‘Female Founders’ for sharing their stories with me and good luck to you all on that Business rollercoaster!