Thanks so much to all of you who nominated me last week for the Mumpreneur of the year award 2010. I was really chuffed about it and it was particularly poignant as this year we celebrate our 20^th anniversary of the business.  It is very topical too, this week.  We have had the actress Emma Thompson declaring in the press that “working women can’t have it all”.  Her article has caused quite a furore and backlash from journalists and businesswomen who wish to prove otherwise.  And let’s not overlook the latest in a long line of dubious research published this week on the effect of working mothers on their kids and their development.  I guess it all makes for interesting but contentious reading for anyone – of any age – who has a vested interest in a family where both parental figures are working.

Two generations of Training To Achieve

For those of you who don’t know me that well, it was on 30 September 1990 that I left my job as Head of Training and Development for Braintree District Council, to go it alone and set up Training To Achieve. I left a great job during a recession because I wanted to spend more time with my first daughter who was 20 months old.  The interesting twist is that 20 years on that same daughter is about to complete her second year working in the business, as my Client Services Manager. My son works part-time for me, and interestingly the entrepreneurial streak seems to have rubbed off on both of them too.  My daughter is setting up her own dancing business in her spare time and my son at 18 runs his own Tiling Company.  The jury is still out on the career path of my youngest daughter, at just 15.

I neither wish to get drawn into the debate on whether as working mums we can have it all, nor  comment on the effect on kids’ development, and the moral and ethical arguments that rage.  Each situation is unique and we all have our own reality.  What I do want to declare is that without a doubt my kids, my business and I have all developed and flourished together.  There have been highs and lows, and of course many challenges, professionally and personally.   I was asked though to give one piece of advice in support of my nomination for the award.  I want to share this with you now, as I hope it will help not just current or wannabe Mumpreneurs but also anyone who is a working parent at the moment:

“Never forget what being a Mumpreneur means and why you are going into business.  This will keep you grounded,  it will help you with your risk-taking and your prioritising.  Involve your kids in the business from any early age – they will then understand what you do and why you do it.  They will learn and benefit so much and will develop an understanding of what it takes to be working parents this century”.

Alison Miles-Jenkins Sunday Morning Blog – 7 August 2010 Blog Number 12