The Parentpreneur Accelerator Podcast

In this 20th episode of the podcast I chat with parentpreneur Lucy Whittington author of ‘Find your Thing', and founder of ‘Being a Business Celebrity'. Lucy is passionate about helping business owners to find the Thing they do that's brilliant, and create a business upon it. In her book “Find your Thing”, Lucy explains why business owners who find their ‘Thing’ can build a business doing what they find easy, and enjoy. She shares how to get known for your Thing, and her take on Marketing it. Lucy practices what she preaches too, and has been featured by the BBC, The Guardian, and Red magazine as a result. Having read Lucy’s excellent book, mailshots and blog at lucylovesbusiness.com I was delighted when Lucy agreed to this interview about what it means for an entrepreneur to discover what you do outstandingly, what you love, how to grow a business around it and how to get known for it. Show notes: http://www.parentpreneur.com/podcast-020-lucy-whittington-find-the-thing-you-do-best-and-enjoy-then-build-a-successful-business-around-it

In this episode, I talked to James Lavers - fellow parentpreneur, online marketing genius, and selling-through-video expert, and founder of Lazy Coach. We discussed why it’s important to confirm there is demand for your product before creating it, how to get that confirmation as quickly and easily as possible, and what we can do to get sales for our product before it even exists. Listen to this interview to get some awesome advice on how to get started with a new business or product, and reflect on how you 'get in your own way' when it comes to getting your first sales. Show notes: http://www.parentpreneur.com/podcast-019-james-lavers-why-you-should-sell-first-create-later

In the 18th episode of the podcast we meet Parentpreneur Steph Douglas, the creative founder of gift-box company Don't Buy Her Flowers. Considering that the typical gift for new mums (flowers) is something else to care for alongside a new-born, Steph realised there should be another option. So she created a company who create packages aimed at encouraging the recipient to take a bit of time and indulgence for themselves whether that's with a hot cuppa, a cold gin or a good book.  Since then Steph’s company has flourished, growing 180% from year one to year two, she has been featured across the media and now employs her brother as Head of Operations. Tune in to hear Steph’s experience of starting her business alongside a part-time job and getting time with her two children, how she coped with the upsetting experience of getting hate mail from florists, what’s helped her quickly turn the startup from an idea into a growing business, and how she’s managing that growth. Show notes: http://www.parentpreneur.com/podcast-018-steph-douglas-coping-with-hate-mail-from-florists-and-growing-an-amazing-gift-business

In the 17th podcast interview I chat with Hermione Way about her entrepreneurial career in various tech startups and how she now consults other business on how to get their product visible and remembered. Not only has Hermione been an entrepreneur and CEO, she also boasts experience as a blogger, TV-show creator, presenter... and parent. She recently left her job as the Head of European Comms at Tinder to follow her passion for branding start her own consulting business. In this episode, we learn more about Hermione’s story and ambitions for the future as well as gaining her expertise on how to get your company in front of your target audience. Warning: Hermione is a passionate person, and uses the occasional swear word that may not be appropriate for younger listeners. (So you might want to put some headphones on!) Show notes: http://www.parentpreneur.com/podcast-017-hermione-way-from-head-of-european-comms-at-tinder-and-high-tech-vibrators-to-brand-consulting-for-start-ups

In this episode I speak to fellow Parentpreneur, Lucy Chaplin. Lucy is a co-founder of the Mums Enterprise Roadshow which hosts events in the UK to help Mums explore alternatives to returning to their 9-5 jobs, including building startup businesses, becoming franchisees, freelancing, and working remotely. With her background in graphic design, Lucy initially started in the business as Creative Director, but after her amazing contributions early on, quickly became an official business partner, alongside her co-founder, Lindsey. Lucy and Lindsey will be hosting 3 Mums Enterprise Roadshows in the next 6 months... In this interview we explore Lucy’s experiences of moving from freelancing to running a startup business, what she’s learned about combining being a parent alongside being an entrepreneur from her own events, and how she’s been able to grow Mums Enterprise Roadshow so quickly.

In this episode, I interview Annie Ridout, founder and editor of The Early Hour; a fantastic online parenting and lifestyle magazine, with articles and interviews published daily at 5am. Her articles are honest, touching, and include interviews with many great parentpreneurs including Arianna Huffington (Huffington Post) and Paul Lindley (Ella’s Kitchen). In this interview, we explore how Annie started The Early Hour, and delve into the times when things got so tough she nearly stopped the project. We learn how Annie balances work and family life when she's having to work to tight deadlines, and what's helped her the most to build her new business whilst freelancing to pay the bills. Show notes: http://www.parentpreneur.com/podcast-015-annie-ridout-launching-the-early-hour-and-keeping-going-when-things-get-hard

In this interview, I talk to James Golden, founder of Target Training Club, a fitness boutique club in Amersham, Bucks and a creator of a series of fitness retreats which recently featured in the Sunday Times top 12 fitness experiences in the UK. After starting his business in 2010, he’s had an incredible journey that has included getting a bank grant and later hitting rock bottom, overcoming a cancer diagnosis when he was 26, and building his company into a profitable business that employs 10 staff and has recently raised funds for growth through a crowdfunding campaign. James is fellow Parentpreneur, living with his wife, two daughters (aged 6 and 2) and his son who is 7 months old. I’m looking forward to sharing James’s story with you, by exploring some of the decisions that have enabled him to overcome the obstacles and get his business to where it is today, and how he’s managed to achieve this whilst still get time with his family. Show notes: http://www.parentpreneur.com/podcast-014-james-golden-building-a-successful-fitness-business-whilst-overcoming-incredible-obstacles

In episode 013, I interview Cara Sayer, the inventor and founder of Snoozeshade, to explore her journey as a Parentpreneur. This includes how she survived post-natal depression and a nervous breakdown, made her first sales to Jojo Maman Bebe, divorced her husband, and built an impressive business selling her products all over the world. Since starting her business in 2010, Cara has received over 60 awards for her products which are now stocked by Amazon, Tesco, Mamas and Papas, John Lewis, Bloom and Grow, and many more. In this interview Cara shares her experiences and tips for growing a business, and surviving the difficulties presented by her divorce, and the silver linings she didn't expect. Show notes: http://www.parentpreneur.com/podcast-013-cara-sayer-from-nervous-breakdown-to-booming-business

In episode 012, I speak to Neil Sheth, fellow parentpreneur, and SEO wizard. Neil is the founder of Your Brand Found, which provides training, coaching and support in establishing an online presence, identifying opportunities to drive new leads and customers, and using best practices when it comes to SEO, content marketing and social media. In this podcast, we talk about what SEO is and how its evolved, when SEO is something you should consider for your business, and how to overcome some common roadblocks in this area. Show notes: http://www.parentpreneur.com/podcast-012-neil-sheth-using-seo-to-get-your-brand-found-online

In episode 011, I’m joined by fellow Parentpreneur, Sophie Edginton, founder of the Dinner Set. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Sophie through my startup accelerator program to help her find product-market fit, and am now helping her to prepare to scale her business. She's had a lot of useful experiences that I’m looking forward to sharing with you. In this interview, we cover how Sophie completely changed her product and suddenly got customers a result, Why you need to get super specific on your target customer and why for Sophie that meant busy social women who love the recipes of Ottolenghi. We also cover how to cope when kids go sick, and how to move your business forward even when you have very little time. This episode will be particularly useful of you if you are considering making the leap to become an entrepreneur, or perhaps in the early stages while trying to find the right customer, product or business model for you. Show notes: http://www.parentpreneur.com/podcast-011-sophie-edginton-the-power-of-getting-specific-on-your-target-customer-and-what-you-help-them-to-do