Inspirational Mums
The purpose of this section is to show you that there are real women with issues just like you or I, who dare, dream and do.
Click on each of their names further down this page to read about them.
Can Women "Have it All"?
In May last year I was interviewed on Greater Manchester Radio, for a piece about women being fed up with their lot in life. The discussion, "Do women have gruelling lifestyles?" was prompted by a survey in Top Santé magazine.
Marina Gask, editor of Top Santé magazine, said: "The 'have it all' dream has turned into a 'do it all' nightmare. Women are bombarded with lifestyle images of perfectly proportioned celebrities who seem to have everything, without much effort."
"In reality, most women struggle to look after their family and hold down a demanding job to make ends meet. Despite their hard work many are up to their necks in debt and they feel emotionally drained, financially unsuccessful and unfulfilled sexually and socially. In short, they are going through a lifestyle crisis and want to change their lives." I think this is an extreme assessment, but there is certainly a great deal of pressure on mothers, which can lead to a constant feeling of being a treadmill with no "off" switch.
We need REAL Role Models!
I strongly believe that one of the key things we are missing as women is REAL inspirational role models - not the Victoria Beckhams, the glossy-maned "beauties" with their team of personal doers, thinkers and beautifiers. I gave birth to my own son around the same time as Liz Hurley, and I felt like crying every time I read about how beautiful Liz had got her figure back in two weeks flat.
Whilst I was crying and comfort eating in those early, difficult weeks, it seemed that others were not just coping, but positively blossoming without the effort! Now, whilst my rational self knows that Liz will have a full time team of supporters, my post-natal self said "failure, fat, hopeless me".
I got over it pretty quickly, and guess what, people have even said I have been a role model for them! I have found one of the most helpful things in building my business and making big changes to my own life has been the presence of other women who have "been there, done that" and who are willing to share.
There are in fact lots of real role models around, but they don't get the opportunity to shout about it, and they are usuallly busy just getting on with it!
Click on one of the names on this page, be inspired, and pick up tips from these inspirational mums...
21 mums' stories (5 per page) | Page 1 of 5
Marie Friend and Yvette Owen
"What started out as a hobby we loved has turned into a successful business and our children have been instrumental in that success"
Read Marie Friend and Yvette Owen's story - two Cheshire-based mums who started their own business photographing kids being themselves!
Samantha Hale
Samantha began her career 20 years ago as a Professional Groom to a three-day event rider, she moved into retail and then, from her back bedroom, formed her own sports related retail business. Now with a substantial running store, in a male dominated industry Samantha regularly achieves a number of awards and recognition as a successful businesswoman. Read Samantha Hale's story.
Shirley Jaffrey
"My partner and I took over an existing business - Residential Care Home on the Isle of Skye around ten years ago. We naively were partly duped by the previous owner the local GP and from circumstances affecting all local health authorities at that time. After two years we had to declare ourselves bankrupt..." Read Shirley's story.
Ruth Schofield
"Robert and I started trying for children soon after we were married. This was the beginning of a long and difficult journey - one which we never imagined in our wildest dreams..." Read Ruth's story.
Meghan Fenn
"At four months pregnant with my second child, I was made redundant from the company I was working for - they said they had to make cut backs although no one else was being made redundant in any other department and I was a senior designer in my department. I had to leave straight away. When I got home, first shock then depression set in. My thoughts were twofold, what were we going to do financially? And is my career over?" Read Meghan's story.