Bump to Business Owner
Bump to Business Owner is the go-to podcast for mums who don’t want to compromise on their careers but know that traditional full time employment just isn’t compatible with family life. It’s a space for female entrepreneurs and future founders creating autonomy and a deeper sense of purpose for themselves, their business and their children. Join your host, Caroline Marshall, founder of award winning Virtual Assistant agency Upsource and mum of two boys, in conversation with real women: mothers and entrepreneurs juggling the challenges of growing a successful business whilst raising a family.
S5 E23: Operational overload, purpose and performance with Nonie White and Yvonne Biggins of Positive Entrepreneurship
Have you heard of operational overload? Maybe not, but chances are you know how it feels.
This week my guests are Nonie White and Yvonne Biggins of Positive Entrepreneurship, authors of the The True Cost of Female Entrepreneurship report.
The report makes for stark, but not surprising, reading - 83% of female founders are experiencing high stress, 66% experience extreme loneliness, we have 75% greater responsibility for the household, but 97% of us enjoy the journey.
We know the system is not built for us, we know the challenges we face as female founders. Nonie and Yvonne ar...
S5 E22: New borns and new businesses with Anna Bailey founder of Pally Talk
My guest on the podcast this week is Anna Bailey, founder of the Assistant community Pally Talk. She launched her business and 2 months later had her first baby, in her own words, the last year has been ‘hardcore’.
Anna has a lot of practical insight into navigating a business and new baby concurrently - this is your sign to start sliding into people’s DMs on LinkedIn.
We spoke really honestly about social media v reality, not only of motherhood, but the assistant world and when, for Anna, revenue finally started coming in from the busines...
S5 E21: 5 learnings from 5 years in business - Solo episode with Caroline
In 5 years I’ve gone from a one woman Virtual Assistant ‘agency’ to a team of 36. And I have learnt A Lot.
Much of which I have learnt the hard way.
In today’s episode, I’m sharing my 5 biggest learnings (there are so many still to talk about, I feel like I could do a whole season on it!) from the last 5 years.
I’ve learnt from mistakes, I’ve learnt from the people around me, some of these lessons I am still learning, and might be a lifelong process.
Resources...
S5 E20: Poop, pre-seed and policies with Lisa Macfarlane, co-founder of The Gut Stuff
Be honest - how is your poo?
My guest this week is Lisa Macfarlane, co-founder of The Gut Stuff, and she wants you to take better care of your gut. Lisa explains why gut health is so important, some easy wins to improve your own and why she went from Love Island DJ to gut evangelist.
We also talk about the nuts and bolts of scaling a business - from building a brand and community as market research for the business, to pre-seed and VC funding, and creating an ecosystem with 3 different business arms. Lisa...
S5 E19: Burnout, neurodiversity and rediscovering yourself with Dr Claire Ashley, The Burnout Doctor
The 5 stages of burnout are very familiar to me. I’ve been there, and even when I thought I had learnt my lessons, narrowly swerved burning out again. As a mum, especially a mum with a business, I’m sure at least a few of the stages are familiar to you too.
My guest on this week’s episode is Dr Claire Ashely, aka The Burnout Doctor. Claire was a highly successful doctor, used to pretty extreme levels of stress. And then with 2 small kids, a house renovation and a difficult work environment, she burnt out.
Cla...
S5 E18: Reframing cold sales and my worst experiences - Solo episode with Caroline
Last year I decided to push myself and try something new for me and my business. As a founder and mum of 2, I don't have time to be out there relationship building rather than selling.
So I tried cold sales - and it worked!
Cold sales have, sometimes justifiably, a bad rap - I’m sharing my worst experiences from both sides of the sale. But it really worked for me. In this episode I share my conversion rates, my ‘how to’ and the mindset tips that helped me succeed.
Resources:
Linked...
S5 E17: Matrescence, healing and purpose with Danielle Lauren, The Way Too Honest Mom
This week on Bump to Business Owner, I’m joined by Danielle Lauren, creative powerhouse, former media exec, and founder of Way Too Honest, a business born from the depths of postpartum struggle and radical maternal honesty.
From working at the top of global media giants like CNN and Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, to battling severe pre- and postnatal depression, Danielle opens up about her experience of motherhood, identity loss, and rebuilding a life and business with purpose.
TRIGGER WARNING: Discussion of pre/post natal depression and suicidal thoughts
Takeaways:
The...
S5 E16: Keeping going when business gets tough - Solo episode with Caroline
How do you stay motivated to keep going when times get tough in your business?
Good question. And an increasingly important one as the economy continues to fluctuate with tariffs, UK legislation and uncertainty creep in.
In January I was in a difficult situation with my business, but I got through it and learnt a lot. This week, I’m sharing my tips for keeping going when times are tough in your business.
Takeaways
The realities of being a working mum
Keeping going when times get hard in...
S5 E15: Mum guilt, cash crunches and K-drama with Ning Cheah founder of The Beauty Crop
This week on Bump To Business Owner, I’m joined by Ning Cheah, founder of The Beauty Crop, mum of two, and former banker turned beauty entrepreneur. What started as a side hustle to solve her own skin struggles has grown into a multi-million dollar brand, stocked by the likes of Boots and ASOS.
In this honest and wide-ranging chat, Ning shares how burnout led her to rethink everything, the fertility struggles she faced while building a business, and the two very different maternity leaves that followed. She opens up about the realities of scaling, the pressure of...
S5 E14: PR tips for small business owners - Solo episode with Caroline
What is your story?
What is your super power?
What do you want to be known for?
In today's episode of the podcast I'm giving away all my PR tips.
In the last 5 years me and my business have been featured in
Grazia
The Guardian
The Independent
The Daily Mail
Waitrose Magazine
To name just a few. And all of that has been under my own steam, no PR experience, no connections.
If you're looking for some PR coverage for your business, this is f...
S5 E13: Radical acts, building confidence and navigating PTSD with Lauren Currie founder of Upfront
My guest this week is Lauren Currie OBE, mother of one, founder of 6 businesses and PTSD survivor. Lauren is a serial entrepreneur, who after being featured as the only woman on an event bill decided she needed to build something to challenge the lie of meritocracy. Her business, Upfront, was born.
As a systems and organisational designer, Lauren is ideally placed to see where the holes are in our society and where we need to work on them, together. The game is rigged, it might just be that our privilege means that motherhood is the first time...
S5 E12: Why you don’t need more strategy with Nicola Ward, founder of CakeDrop
What happens when your co-founder (and sister!) steps away and you’re managing a business solo, as well as being mum to 2 kids?
In this week’s delicious episode I’m in conversation with Nicola Ward, founder of CakeDrop, who talks me through her experience of exactly that.
Nicola has run her business incredibly intuitively and flexibly, focusing on building relationships and leaning into creativity when Covid meant a pivot. She has some incredible advice to other founders thinking about motherhood and the trade offs we as working mums make.
My main takeaway? You don...
S5 E11: Birthday reflection: celebrate how far you’ve come - Solo episode with Caroline
When was the last time you reflected on how far you’ve come?
In this special birthday episode, I’m reflecting on the last five years - Motherhood, trauma, recovery, business, COVID, and giving myself the advice I needed five years ago.
My business and motherhood journey are intrinsically linked, and in this period of my life - out of the baby years and able to put more energy into business growth, it’s been emotional to see how much I’ve achieved. Take a moment to look back on what you’ve achieved, everything you’ve exp...
S5 E10: Lightbulb moments and Wellbeing Practices with Kat Wellum-Kent, founder of Fractional Finance
What was the lightbulb moment for your business? Did you recognise it and mark it as the life-changing moment it was?
Kat Wellum-Kent, founder of Fractional Finance and one of the top 50 women in accounting took a selfie that day, because she knew ‘this was the thing’.
From her ‘dream job’ at a Big Four accountancy firm, to starting her business, Kat has had some incredible support in her career journey: not only a fantastic mentor, but a strong spiritual practice. She’s also navigating a husband in the army who was often away for 6 months at a...
S5 E9: Why I was targeted by a multi-level marketing scheme - Solo episode with Caroline
This week I am unpacking the sometimes controversial topic of multi-level marketing schemes.
I have been targeted by representatives of various MLMs 3 times in my life; because I’m a woman, with a performance background (aka poor!), and a mother. I was targeted within months of having my first child.
I share:
- The ways I've been targeted
- How to recognise MLMs for what they are
- How to avoid them
The first rule of MLMs? Deny it’s an MLM.
Resources
S5 E8: Fundraising, health tech and personal branding with Dr Dupé Burgess, founder of Bloomful
How clear are you on your values? An arresting question! I’m asking because my guest on the pod this week is Dr Dupé Burgess, founder of Bloomful, medical doctor, speaker, content creator and mum of 3. At the heart of everything she does? Her values.
That’s why she’s been able to build such a compelling personal brand on LinkedIn, and why she’s such a compelling speaker and founder. Because mission drives it all.
If you’re building a personal brand, fundraising or building a founder network from scratch, this episode is for you.
S5 E7: How and why I changed my business mindset - Solo episode with Caroline
In this episode I’m talking about something that I think is a constant, if not battle, then area for improvement: mindset.
Mindset has been a hurdle that almost prevented me from achieving a business goal. But I was able to recognise it and work on it. So I’m talking about:
- How I recognised my mindset was the problem
- The goal it was hindering
- The steps I took to change it
- The support and resources I turned to (a surprise to me too!)
T...
S5 E6: USPs, survival mode and growth with Jen Fuller founder of Etta Loves
Do you have that ‘on the cusp’ feeling? I think it’s something that unites founders. There’s always something on the horizon that helps keep the faith in your business, even when on paper it’s not always clear.
My guest on the pod this week is Jen Fuller, founder of Etta Loves, science backed baby sensory products that are also absolutely beautiful. Jen is really open that it’s the ‘cusp’ feeling that keeps her going rather than revenue or income goals.
I loved this conversation, as a service business owner, it’s always fascinating...
S5 E5: The game-changer for my business and wellbeing - Solo episode with Caroline
This week’s episode is about the thing that has made all the difference in my business and for my wellbeing: consistency.
Why it's so important
Why it has been a game changer for me
Where I have seen big results
How I make sure I stay consistent (I'm talking processes and tools - you'll love this)
Why it shouldn't be another thing to beat yourself up about
This episode is sponsored by Ancient + Brave (www.ancientandbrave.earth/). If you'd like to try any of t...
S5 E4: Equality and ambition for mums with Jelena Skene co-founder of Press Flow
If anyone is ever in doubt about mum’s commitment to their careers post babies, please, use this conversation as proof that we are only ever more ambitious and focused.
This week I’m talking to Jelena Skene, co-founder of 2 businesses raised alongside 2 small boys. It’s been a busy few years for Jelena!
My main takeaway from our conversation, and there are many, is: just start. You can’t plan everything around having a family, if you have a business idea, just try it. I also loved her thoughts on what makes a good business...
S5 E3: Business growth and mum guilt - Solo episode with Caroline
I have been judging myself recently for some of the decisions I’ve been making. For 2025 my goal is business growth, and that means I’m making decisions that prioritise my work and my wellbeing at the cost of family time.
There are a lot of expectations on us as mums and female founders: some from ourselves, from the people around us, the patriarchy. I am unpacking my feelings of mum guilt, and why I refuse to feel it anymore.
This episode is sponsored by Ancient + Brave (www.ancientandbrave.earth/). If you'd like to try...
S5 E2: Exploring authenticity, business growth and resilience with Lea Turner founder of The Holt
In this inspiring episode, I’m joined by Lea Turner, LinkedIn expert, community builder, and founder of Holt, a thriving membership platform for small businesses.
Content warning: there is a mention of suicidal ideation as Lea reflects on her teenage years and missed ADHD diagnosis.
Lea’s journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t planned. Like so many of my guests on the pod, she didn’t initially see herself as a business owner. Her entrepreneurial path began with a transcription side hustle, which played to her strengths and funded her travels. As her income grew to match he...
S5 E1: January vibes, my learning from 2024 and focus for 2025 - Solo episode with Caroline
If January has been…Januarying, then you are not alone. I’ve found it difficult to come back to work this year, comparisonitis and anxiety have been getting the better of me.
So in this week’s episode I’m sharing:
My biggest business learning from 2024 My focus for 2025 Who we've got coming up on the podcast for Season 5 (make sure you’re subscribed!) The wellbeing tools I keep returning toThis episode is sponsored by Ancient + Brave (https://ancientandbrave.earth). If you'd like to try any of their products (I am a big fan of the Tru...
Christmas Gift: Calming meditation with Jo Woodhurst, Head of Nutrition at Ancient+Brave
For our season finale I am joined by the wonderful Jo Woodhurst, Head of Nutrition at Ancient + Brave. And as a special gift to our listeners, Jo has kindly recorded a 10 minute to help us reconnect and recharge during the busiest and most festive time of year. We all need it!
This bonus podcast episode is sponsored by Ancient + Brave. If you’d like to try any of their products (I am a big fan of True Collagen!) you can use our discount code BTB20 for 20% off your first order.
Links:
Website: www.bu...
S4 E13: Creating a sustainable wellbeing practice with Jo Woodhurst, Head of Nutrition at Ancient+Brave
For our season finale I am joined by the wonderful Jo Woodhurst, Head of Nutrition at Ancient + Brave. And as a special gift to our listeners, Jo has kindly recorded a 10 minute meditation which is available as a separate bonus episode, out now. We all need it!
Jo has been on her own journey in her approach to wellbeing. From burning the candle at both ends as a teacher, she moved into nutrition not only to reset how she nourished herself, but also inspired by her mum’s long illness and her approach to wellbeing.
No...
S4 E12: Changing fitness culture and balancing motherhood with Pip Black, founder of Frame
Pip Black started her business, Frame at 24. She and her co-founder Joan, have navigated huge changes across the fitness industry over the last 15 years. They launched in recession, tag teamed maternity leaves over 4 kids, raised funds, bought back their company and adapted almost overnight to Covid.
But through it all, they have lived the brand, its values, and created a business which puts customer experience at its core - the key to their success.
Coming back to exercise has been a huge source of joy for me this year, and Pip is clear: doing what y...
S4 E11: Why am I obsessed with joy? - Solo episode with Caroline
What do you think is behind the global falling birthrate? Because social media thinks it’s mums’ fault (of course). We’re not sharing enough about how joyful motherhood is.
Of course this is rubbish. But I do think it’s so important for mums to connect with their own sense of joy, outside of motherhood, outside of work, just for themselves.
Reconnecting with my personal sense of joy has been…a journey. It honestly feels like this year is the first since I became a mum that I have truly connected with the things that spark...
S4 E10: The career setbacks that led to success & campaigning for mums with Grace Carter of Business & Babies
TRIGGER WARNING: Baby loss, depression and suicidal ideation
Grace Carter didn’t tell any of her clients when she had her first baby, a year into her business. And no wonder. Working in a male dominated industry, when Grace announced her second pregnancy, she lost £15k in recurring monthly revenue almost overnight.
Motherhood and running a business took their toll on Grace’s mental health. But instead of becoming smaller in her struggles, Grace took up space. She started talking about her experiences on LinkedIn - not the usual place for personal, mental health sharing. Grace...
S4 E9: Decacorns, The Refund Years and representation with Erika Brodnok
Erika Brodnik is a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, angel investor, author and mum of five. She is also super relatable, inspirational and committed to bringing other women and minority founders along on the entrepreneurial journey with her by showing that motherhood and multiple successful businesses are not mutually exclusive.
I loved how broad ranging our conversation was, from The Refund Years™, to representation and diversity, parenting hacks to decacorns. But Erika also shared a lot of nuance which is often missing in our soundbite focused world.
We talked a lot about what is keeping women, and mi...
S4 E8: Toxic hustle culture and working mums - Solo episode with Caroline
I’ve been spending too much time on Threads. Over there, I’m seeing more and more the narrative that mums can work from home full time AND be full time carers for their kids.
And I just don’t think it can work.
I’m sharing exactly what childcare and support I had while setting up and running my business, because I don’t want anyone to think that I was ‘doing it all’. I very much wasn’t.
I can totally see why this narrative is so tempting: childcare is laughably, tragically, expe...
S4 E7: Changing the narrative around maternity pay with Nugget Savings
Where were Nugget Savings when I was preparing for mat leave?!
After launching a year ago, Nugget Savings has become a vital resource for would-be parents as they save and prepare for leave. If that’s you, or someone you know, listen in and share! Stay til the end to hear Harriet and Katie’s top 3 tips for self-employed maternity leave.
This was a really wide ranging conversation, from how Katie and Harriet have created such growth on their social platforms (100k on both IG and TikTok within a year!) to how they handle online troll...
S4 E6: Do you take the sales call? You’ve got your kids - Solo episode with Caroline
A solo episode this week talking about a question I think all service (and probably product?!) business owners can relate to: Do You Take The Sales Call When You Have Your Kids?
Obviously we all hope to have rock solid boundaries. But let’s face it, there is always a bit of pressure, whether that’s internal or external, that this could be our ‘only chance’ to make the sale.
Listen to the episode for my take on this, and what I now see as a client red flag.
There are so many factors...
S4 E5: Creating joy and purpose after cancer with personal brand strategist, Petra Gatto
This week’s conversation is with the wonderful Petra Gatto, personal brand strategist, photographer and cancer survivor. If you know someone going through cancer treatment or in recovery, there’s some really helpful advice and insights on how we can better support them. Or if you’re in the cancer trenches, Petra has some wisdom on taking up space and communicating your needs.
From marketeer, to international wedding planner, to personal brand strategist and photographer; Petra pivoted her career post-cancer as she connected to her teenage passion for photography and her purpose - empowering women and business owners...
S4 E4: Dealing with imposter syndrome - Solo episode with Caroline
A solo episode from me today, talking about something I think (know?!) that we’ve all experienced at some point in our lives: imposter syndrome.
Does it exist?
How to recognise it
How to manage it
My personal experience of it, and how I distinguish imposter syndrome from other feelings of doubt or nerves.
I am a firm believer in owning our successes as a way to bolster against imposter syndrome, but it’s not foolproof. We’ve human, we’re women, we’re mums; imposter syndrome is almost a rite of...
S4 E3: Neurodiversity, trauma and being a ‘boy mum’ with clinical psychologist, Dr Jo Carlile
It’s World Mental Health Day, and so I’m honoured to be talking with the wonderful Dr. Jo Carlile, a clinical psychologist and trauma specialist.
Jo shares her experience of neurodivergency, being a new mum in Covid and her transition from a 15 year NHS career to private practice. As well as letting us in on her new role as Tech Founder with her upcoming mental health support platform, The Norm.
Of course, mental health and trauma particularly in relation to motherhood was a huge topic of conversation, and it was great to hear Jo’s persp...
S4 E2: Success, passive income and mum guilt with Vix Meldrew
Vix Meldrew went from overworked and stressed out teacher to content creator, releasing an online membership and courses before that was even a thing.
As a big believer in business mirroring life, Vix took her business next level, while also undergoing IVF. We talk about her experience of IVF, how she planned her business to work around it, and her business planning and content scheduling for maternity leave (Vix gives lots of detail on this, so if this is you, definitely be prepared to make some notes!)
We talked about Mum Guilt, the judgement we c...
S4 E1: My toxic trait and why we burnout - Solo episode with Caroline
Bump to Business Owner is BACK! Caroline opens Season 4 with a solo episode talking about burnout. We all experience it, especially as business owners and mums, and here Caroline unpacks her previous run in with extreme burnout, and how she was able to step back from the brink after a total stranger flagged that she might be in danger of burning out again.
Caroline reflects on the signs of burnout she recognised in herself and her team, the importance of taking breaks, and the need to prioritise joy in life to prevent burnout.
A theme f...
Season 4 Trailer
Bump to Business Owner is the go-to podcast for mums who don’t want to compromise on their careers but know that traditional full time employment just isn’t compatible with family life. It’s a space for female entrepreneurs and future founders creating autonomy and a deeper sense of purpose for themselves, their business and their children.
Join your host, Caroline Marshall, founder of award winning Virtual Assistant agency Upsource and mum of two boys, in conversation with real women: mothers and entrepreneurs juggling the challenges of growing a successful business whilst raising a family.
Lin...
S3 E24: “We’re all experiencing the same things” with Mikaela Jones, founder of Pleasure Gap
"If I can buy lawn mowers and hedge trimmers, why can't I buy vibrators" Season 3 is going out with a bang!
Mikaela Jones went from buyer at Homebase to launching her own sexual wellness brand, Pleasure Gap. Knowing that she wanted to start her own business, Mikaela did an inventory of what she was passionate about, and sexual wellness for women came out on top (pun intended).
For Mikaela, her business was a way of finding her way back to herself post kids, not only in terms of career, but as a woman. We’re un...
S3 E23: “You're either doing it or you’re not” with Gemma Bray, The Organised Mum
Gemma Bray started cleaning obsessively as a way to manage her anxiety after the birth of her first child. Some years later, when Gemma was a stay at home mum, he dared her to take her cleaning onto Instagram and The Organised Mum was born!
I can really relate to Gemma’s need to control something in the early days of motherhood. For me, it was my red lipstick and my business, for her, it was her home. I think we’re all victims of the rose tinted spectacles that are applied to pregnancy and motherhood by socia...