Monday Mumpreneur with Emily Thorpe

On Mondays we feature a mumpreneur just like you and me who’s ready and willing to open up their lives and their business to us.

They share with us their motivation, their challenges and their proudest moments in business and also tell us how they take time to nurture themselves.

If you’re looking for inspiration, then our featured business mums show you what’s possible.

mumpreneur emily thorpe

This week we feature an award winning happy working mum. I think you're going to like what she has to share.

mumpreneur EmilyThorpe

Your name: Emily Thorpe

Tell us about your children: I have 2 boys, who I like to describe as ‘spirited’.

Fin is 11 and likes acting, skateboarding and playing the drums.

Jakey is 8 and likes metal detecting, football and playing his trombone. Our house is often noisy!

Where do you live: We live in Chichester, West Sussex

PC or Mac: I’m on a Mac

Tell us about your business:

mumpreneur emily thorpe
My business is called Happy Working Mum because that’s what I want for every mum who chooses to go back to work; to be happy and to enjoy motherhood, whilst pursuing her own dreams and fulfillment.
I help mums to go from stressed and overwhelmed to being guilt free, happy and on top of it all. Some of the work I do involves practical strategies other parts are mindset pieces. As mums we can be so good at putting ourselves down, when actually we’re doing a blooming awesome job.

What motivated you to become a mumpreneur?

When I was pregnant I imagined my life as a mum would be like Mary Poppins, lots of singing, laughter and fun. I could not have been further from the truth. I was exhausted, overwhelmed and felt extremely guilty about going back to work. I decided to get some answers by exploring personal development, which led me to training as a life coach. I soon realized that I not only had the answers to how to be a happy mum but I had also found my vocation.

I started my coaching business in 2012 whilst still working as an Air Traffic Controller. Last year I left my job at the airport to pursue my coaching and speaking path full time. I have written a book ‘The Working Mums 5-Step Solution To Having It All’ and have recorded an Affirmation CD especially for mums called ‘Simply Amazing’

What's been your biggest challenge in business?

My biggest challenge has been to just keep going; to build my confidence, expertise and business from the tiny whisper that I heard in my heart. When I first started on this journey it was a dream and often I would think to myself ‘Can I really do this?’

It seemed as though I was standing at the bottom of a mountain thinking ‘How on earth am I meant to climb that?’

There was so much to learn, so much to understand, so many skills to master. When things didn't go my way or took a long time, I was tempted to just call it a day, but the small voice inside was getting louder and wouldn't be ignored.

How have you overcome it?

The way I overcame this challenge was to keep working on my vision of the future. Each time I revisited it, I would add more detail:

I started with wanting to be a coach,
This developed into being a coach for mums,
Which in turn became a vision of a coach and inspirational speaker.
I planned out how many clients I would like.
I decided what programmes I wanted to create
The hours I wanted to work each week.

As I took each step towards my goal, my confidence and my self-belief grew. I have worked with some fantastic coaches over the years who have shared their expertise and knowledge as well as their faith in my ability. Having support is crucial to success.

what's been your proudest business moment?

My proudest moment was receiving my Rising Star Award at the Houses of Parliament. I was surrounded by the most amazing women and felt so honoured to be one of the 50 finalists. My husband came with me and I think it was the moment that he acknowledged my business was more than just a hobby!

What's your catchphrase or favourite quote?

I have hundreds of affirmations and sayings; I can’t get enough of them. But in the beginning the affirmation that served me the best was ‘If she can do it, so can I’

I used to look at all the Mumpreneurs and coaches who I admired and who were enjoying success and think ‘they started small and grew their businesses and if they can do it, so can I.’

emilythorpe car

what do you do to relax or nurture yourself?

I love to be outside in nature so my favourite way to recharge is a walk, run or cycle outside in the fresh air. I also have a 4mm wetsuit so I can swim in the sea from May to October.

What was the last treat you bought for yourself?

My last treat was a beautiful necklace I bought on holiday in France. It has a large orange poppy with green leaves and a toucan. It’s pretty whacky!

Favourite colour: orange

Favourite flowers: sunflowers

what one piece of advice would you like to give to a new mumpreneur?

My advice to a new mumpreneur would be to believe in yourself. You are unique and you have gifts that only you can give to the world. Each night before you go to sleep imagine your life as if you had already achieved your goals, enjoy the feeling of success and being recognized for your talents and all the people who have benefited from your gifts. The more vividly you can see this vision the better. When things get tough or you feel downhearted, your vision will keep you going.