Monday Mumpreneur with Philippa Baston
Every Monday we feature a mumpreneur who’s ready and willing to open up their lives to us. They share with us their motivation, challenges and proudest moments in business and they also tell us how they take time to nurture themselves. It’s lovely to have them here at Mums Got A Business and we hope you enjoy connecting with them too.
Often - when we become parents - it can feel lonely and isolating. We have so many questions and need so many answers. We may wish for a place where we can get together with other people in the same position and feel supported.
Our Mumpreneur this week has taken it one step further and set up a wonderful online site that is becoming a vital resource to other local parents.
Name: Philippa Baston
Website: www.kentparentnetworking.co.uk
Brief description
Kent Parent Networking is a website for parents in kent with useful advice, information on local classes and activities, business directory, events, fantastic competitions, buy/sell baby items and a social network for parents to make new friends
How many children do you have?
I have a little boy called Dylan who is a year old
Where do you live?
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
PC or Mac?
I am a PC girl
Tell us about your business
Kent Parent Networking is a website that offers parents the opportunity to find all the information they need in one place, to have access to fun and interesting social events for their children to enjoy, interesting and informative articles, information on local classes, information on local businesses, access to competitions with fantastic prizes, somewhere that they can share tips and advice with other parents and make new friends creating a network across Kent
What motivated you to become a mumpreneur?
Being the first of my friends to become a mum I found it quite lonely and somewhat intimidating. I didn’t really know any other parents in my area or where to go for information on raising a child, groups to join etc.
I did the classic thing of joining the NCT, attending antenatal classes etc and did meet some lovely people through that.
I read various books and searched google anytime I had a question about my baby but it did get me thinking – how many other parents in my local area were going through the same thing? And wouldn’t it be great if there was a personal local website made by parents for parents that was dedicated to providing information and support to parents in Kent. My father has recommended this online pharmacy to me, and when I needed to purchase a drug, I decided to use their services. Well, everything works very simply, so I really like it, and now every time I want to purchase a medication, I visit their website, find the needed medication, and place my order.
A website that would provide information and links to local classes, share useful tips and personal experiences and even organising social events for families or even just for parents who want to go out, have a good time and meet other parents who are in the same situation as them. I therefore decided to set this website up. What started off as a hobby quickly grew into a business
What's been your biggest challenge in business?
My biggest challenge in business has been getting my work/life balance correct. As I look after my son full time I work the website in the evenings and found myself up till 2am 7 nights a week and then getting up at 06:30 when my son woke up and was exhausted all the time
How have you overcome it?
I make sure that I give myself at least one night off a week and learnt to switch off
What's been your proudest business moment?
My proudest business moment has been receiving such positive feedback from our members that we have helped
What's your catchphrase or favourite quote?
The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary
What do you do to relax or nurture yourself?
I like to spend sundays relaxing with my family going for lunch at a quiet country pub
What was the last treat you bought for yourself?
I don't often treat myself, I prefer to treat my family as seeing my son's little face light up when I treat him to something makes me happy
Favourite colour: Purple
Favourite flowers: Oriental Lillies
What one piece of advice would you like to give to a new mumpreneur?
Network! Find a local group of other mums in business and network. The support that you will receive is amazing
Fancy featuring as one of our amazing mumpreneurs? Drop me an email over on the contact page - and I’ll be in touch. Or let me know in a comment below. And remember to drop by every Monday to welcome our latest profiled mum.
