What’s it really like to freelance with kids in the mix?

Graphic designer, community founder and Mum of two, Frankie Tortora reveals the highs, the lows and the lessons learned along the way.

Frankie shares her lived experience navigating time pressures, setting boundaries and balancing work with parenting. She also reflects on emotional wellbeing, the importance of feeling heard and being amongst other supportive parents who are in the same boat as you!

In our conversation, we explore:

✨ The practical challenges of freelancing as a parent, from childcare to financial systems

About the Guest:

Frankie Tortora is the Founder of Doing It For The Kids, an online community for freelance parents trying to make flexible working work. DIFTK won’t teach you how to become a ‘successful’ freelancer or how to find ‘balance’ (what does that even mean?!). There’s no course. No coaching.

It is all about CONNECTION - camaraderie, collaboration, virtual high fives and a lorra, lorra laughs!

You'll find Frankie on Linkedin or instagram and to find out more about her community visit the Doing It For The Kids website.

About The Host:

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌victoria_phipps or @‌mummeansbusinesspodcast.

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

From the classroom to the world of digital marketing, Emily Hanson’s story is proof that transferable skills can be the key to building your dream business.

A former teacher and mum of two, Emily is now the founder of Emerlilly Digital, an agency specialising in education, family and children’s brands. What began as freelancing soon grew into a thriving business supported by her husband David and a team of fellow educators-turned-marketers.

In this episode of the Mum Means Business Podcast, Emily shares how her teaching background equipped her for entrepreneurship, the challenges and breakthroughs of freelancing, and the importance of finding freedom and balance as a working mum. We also touch on the challenges of becoming a Mum for the first time during the pandemic, mental health and the courage it takes to pivot careers while raising young children.

Emily’s journey shows us that the skills you already have might be all you need to begin.

In our conversation, we explore:

About the Guest:

Find out more about Emily’s work on the Emerlilly website or connect with her on Linkedin - Emily Hanson.

About The Host:

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌victoria_phipps or @‌mummeansbusinesspodcast.

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

This week I’m joined by Anastasia Shubareva-Epshtein, Co-Founder and CEO of Carea, a femtech startup redefining pregnancy and postpartum care with a mental health first approach.

After graduating from Columbia University, Anastasia built a global career in product management and brand marketing with leadership roles at Bayer Consumer Health and Mastercard. But when she faced fertility struggles, IVF and miscarriage, her path took a deeply personal turn.

Determined to create the support she wished she’d had, Anastasia launched the Carea app: a safe, supportive space for women navigating the emotional complexities of pregnancy and beyond. Instead of focusing solely on clinical milestones, the app centres the wellbeing and mental health of the mother.

Email [email protected] referencing "Mum Means Business" to receive 3 months off Carea's Premium offering!

In our conversation, we explore:

About the Guest:

Follow Anastasia on Instagram at @careaapp.

About The Host:

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌victoria_phipps or @‌mummeansbusinesspodcast.

if you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

This week I’m joined by Louise Lynch – teacher, cognitive behavioural hypnotherapist, hypnobirthing practitioner and founder of The Relaxed Mama Club.

Louise is passionate about supporting women through pregnancy, birth and beyond with tools that bring confidence, calm and connection. A mum of two herself, she knows first-hand the challenges of modern motherhood: the pressure to do it all, the impact of social media and the lack of the “village” we were told it takes to raise a child.

Through her work, Louise empowers mothers-to-be with knowledge, taking the mystery (and fear) out of childbirth so women can approach it with strength and self-belief. She shares how she built her brand, why personalised support matters, and the lessons she’s learned about balancing motherhood with business ownership.

Conversation Highlights:

If you’re preparing for birth, navigating early motherhood, or simply seeking encouragement to find your calm in the chaos, this conversation is full of wisdom and support.

About the Guest:

Follow Louise on Instagram at @relaxed.mama.club.

About The Host:

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌victoria_phipps or @‌mummeansbusinesspodcast.

if you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

This week I’m joined by Kate Stirling – a high-performance strategist, mindset coach, actor, host of the Club Thrive podcast and Mum to a little girl.  With over two decades of coaching experience, Kate’s mission is to encourage women to break free from societal conditioning and rediscover who they truly are.

Diagnosed with ADHD in 2024, Kate now works to better support neurodivergent women, particularly mothers, who are navigating extra layers of challenge in their lives and businesses. She’s also a mum herself and understands first-hand the juggle of parenthood and entrepreneurship.

In this conversation, Kate shares openly about identity, motherhood, creativity, mental health, and what it means to thrive in each season of life.

Conversation Highlights:

Listen if you’re:

About the Guest:

Connect with Kate on Instagram at @katestirling_.

About The Host:

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌victoria_phipps or @‌mummeansbusinesspodcast.

if you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

This week I’m joined by Ruth Edwards, a trauma-informed somatic coach, brainspotting practitioner and certified hypnotherapist, who made the bold decision in her forties to leave behind her corporate career and start again.

As a single mum of two teenagers, Ruth wanted more freedom and flexibility to be present with her children, while building a heart-led business that helps others heal from the inside out. She now supports clients to overcome anxiety, self-doubt, people-pleasing and emotional trauma by blending neuroscience, nervous system regulation and deep emotional work.

Ruth’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to pursue a career that aligns with your purpose and values - and that betting on yourself is always worth it.

Conversation Highlights:

About The Guest:

Connect with Ruth on Instagram or visit her website.

About The Host:

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌victoria_phipps or @‌mummeansbusinesspodcast.

if you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

This week I’m joined by Louise McGuill, a former teacher and Mum of two who is taking the brave action to leave an 18 year career in education behind, pursue a new venture in email marketing and design a life she loves.

Louise shares the lessons she’s learned about investing in herself and why email is one of the most powerful tools any business owner can master.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make email marketing work for you or you’re looking for encouragement to take the next step in your business, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.

Conversation Highlights:

03:37 How Maternity Leave Can Be a Catalyst for Change

About The Guest:

Connect with Louise on Linkedin.

About The Host:

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I'm fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌victoria_phipps or @‌mummeansbusinesspodcast.

if you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

What if losing your job was the best thing that ever happened to you?

When Megan Tobler unexpectedly found herself unemployed during pregnancy, she realised her “safe” corporate career wasn’t so safe after all. That moment sparked a complete life pivot - leading her to create Self StartHER, a thriving podcast and online community for ambitious women building businesses around their lives.

Listen in as we talk entrepreneurship, motherhood, self-doubt and redefining success on your own terms.

Conversation Highlights:

02:40 The Leap from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

About The Guest:

Connect with her on instagram @selfstart.her.

About The Host:

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I'm fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌victoria_phipps or @‌mummeansbusinesspodcast.

if you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Melanie Cooke shares how she’s balancing motherhood, DIY home renovation and life as a content creator while pursuing financial freedom and aiming to be mortgage-free by 40. A joyful, grounded episode full of heart, hustle and home truths!

Conversation Highlights:

About The Guest:

Connect with her on instagram @thisismelaniecooke.

About The Host:

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I'm fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌victoria_phipps or @‌mummeansbusinesspodcast.

if you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Former teacher Amanda Wrigley shares how motherhood inspired her to launch Live the Beat, a social enterprise connecting generations through music. From care homes to nurseries, Amanda’s mission is creating joyful, purposeful experiences for young and old alike. We talk about the power of music, building a values-led business and why connection across generations matters more than ever.

Conversation Highlights:

About The Guest:

Connect with her on instagram @livethebeatuk.

About The Host:

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I'm fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌victoria_phipps or @‌mummeansbusinesspodcast.

if you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!