Monday Mumpreneur with Renita Boyle

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.

I'm delighted to introduce you to our mumpreneur this week.  We met on a storytelling course and have worked together and played together on numerous occasions ever since.

Your name: Renita Boyle

Your website:  www.renitaboyle.com

Brief description: The silliest man in the world; three pigs, three goats, two wolves and a troll; a little bunny, a thing in the pond and a big bad Momma; a little red library; a big boat, two of every kind of animal and a strange visitor . . . you’ll find them all on  www.renitaboyle.com.  My blog includes video and audio stories you can enjoy with your own kids or use as inspiration in your work with other kids.  You will also find storytelling tips, curriculum ideas and details about how to buy my resources.

How many children do you have?  I have one son, Jude (born 2000).

Where do you live? Wigtown, Scotland’s National Book Town

PC or Mac? PC – and an ipod touch!

Tell us about your business I am a storyteller and silly songstress extraordinaire; an author and a life-writing poet.  I perform at events and facilitate workshops and residencies in storytelling, creative writing and life-writing.  I create and deliver resources to enhance Curriculum for Excellence; mentor emergent storytellers and writers and resource churches and schools. I enjoy working with all age groups and find it a particularly joyous to support those with learning difficulties or other special needs.  I have featured at bonfires, book days and birthdays; clubs, camps and country parks; churches and schools, conferences and festivals; parents and tots groups; libraries, guilds and gardens; retreat days and relays – not to mention a dentist’ office and in a lift (to a truly captive audience!)

I use a variety of methods to appeal across the learning styles: repetition, rhythm and rhyme; actions and audience participation; parachutes and puppets; music, masks and hats and book-making projects.  My themes include: Bear Tales & Critter Capers; Birds, Bugs & Blooms; Brilliant Me; Eco-tales and Fairtrade; Farm Fun; Funky Folk and Fable; Heroes and Zeros; Jungle Drums; Kingdoms and Creatures; Life of Jesus; Mars, Stars and Travels Afar; Parables and Promises; Seashore and More; Weatherwise and Otherwise; Wonderful Wildlife.

What motivated you to become a mumpreneur? The name!  ‘Mumpreneur’ is an affirmation of the creative, and often undervalued, contribution Mum’s make in their children’s lives and in non-traditional spheres of employment.

What’s been your biggest challenge in business? Wearing a business hat!  Perhaps I should become a character in my own business story- make a physical hat to wear when I sit down to promote my business!  Oooo.  The imagination runs wild!  lol

How have you overcome it? It is invaluable to have a mentor (thanks Heather).  One hour with my mentor motivated me to set achievable goals, draw up an entire business strategy for the year (and beyond), create business cards and leaflets, get disciplined about my blog and online presence, record my achievements, write a cracking CV and say yes to a photo shoot!  PLUS we have cake!

What’s been your proudest business moment? Writing:  Holding My Storytime Bible for the first time and thinking about how many families will enjoy reading it together.  Storytelling: Those moments of transcendence beyond the telling and the tale. The privilege of creating a sigh the spirit can inhabit.  

What’s your catchphrase or favourite quote?  ‘Teach once, learn twice.’

What do you do to relax or nurture yourself? I love to walk by the sea and listen to the tides rolling in and out.  I also love being with my family and playing the hula hoop on the wii.

What was the last treat you bought for yourself? A deep red velvet cloak with black embroidery and faux fur trim.  Very dramatic.  Very me dahling.

Favourite colour: Burgundy and Blue

Favourite flowers: Sunflowers

What one piece of advice would you like to give to a new mumpreneur? Plan to exceed your perceived capabilities.

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.