When I first became a mum, I was also building my career as a freelance voiceover artist. Like so many women, I found myself trying to juggle motherhood and business, often at the same time, often without a clear roadmap.
The reality was, I couldn’t find a network that truly supported me in doing both.
So I created one.
Nearly 12 years ago, Freelance Mum began with a toddler at my side and a baby in my arms. At the time, I had no idea what it would grow into, or how the challenges of balancing business and motherhood would simply shift over time. It’s never “easier”, it’s just different stages, different needs.
Back then, I felt the isolation many freelancers experience. I missed the everyday connection of colleagues, those informal “water cooler” moments, and the sense of being part of something bigger. On top of that, freelancing and motherhood both come without safety nets like sick pay or maternity pay, which adds another layer of pressure.
Most business networks simply weren’t designed with parents in mind.
What started as a small, local meet-up has since evolved into a national network supporting hundreds of mums in business. During lockdown, we pivoted quickly and introduced a weekly online Coffee Morning. It became a lifeline for many, and when the world reopened, it was clear it was here to stay.
Today, Freelance Mum offers a mix of in-person and online support, from Netwalks and Lunch & Learn sessions to virtual co-working. While the purpose has remained the same, supporting women to juggle motherhood and business, the impact has grown. It’s no longer just about connection, but about building confidence, visibility and real economic opportunity.
Rethinking Networking for Real Life
The idea behind child-friendly networking was both simple and, at the time, quite radical.
When I launched Freelance Mum, I had a baby and a toddler. I realised that some of my best conversations happened when I was outside, walking with them in the pushchair. That became the foundation for Netwalks.
Walking side by side removes the pressure of formal networking. There’s no need for polished pitches or structured introductions. It feels natural, accessible and inclusive.
Over time, the community has evolved. Fewer members now have pre-school children, but the format still works. Walking helps ideas flow. Conversations deepen. And for those who do have children, there’s no need to worry about childcare.
At the heart of it all is a simple message I share often: this is a safe space. You can show up as whatever version of yourself you are that day. Whether you’re thriving or running on very little sleep, you’re not seen as any less professional.
It works because it meets mums where they are, both literally and emotionally.
Bridging the Gap Between Ambition and Accessibility
There has always been a gap between what many mums want to achieve and what feels realistically possible.
So many women have the skills, ideas and ambition to build something of their own. But traditional business structures don’t always accommodate school hours, childcare needs or the emotional load of juggling everything.
Time is often limited to the space between drop-off and pick-up. Costs can be a barrier. And the mental load of managing both family life and business can be overwhelming.
Freelance Mum exists to bridge that gap.
It creates a space where business and motherhood are not in conflict. It’s not about choosing one over the other, but making both possible.
Alongside Netwalks, we offer Lunch & Learn sessions focused on professional development and, more recently, virtual co-working. Sometimes known as “body doubling”, this simple act of working alongside others online can make a huge difference. Just seeing a friendly face can reduce isolation and increase focus.
A Shift Towards Flexible, Purpose-Driven Work
In recent years, especially since Covid, there’s been a noticeable shift.
More mothers are choosing self-employment or flexible work, recognising that they don’t have to fit into rigid, traditional roles. Instead, they’re building businesses that work around their lives.
Flexibility is no longer seen as a compromise. It’s becoming a strength.
We’re also seeing more women creating portfolio careers, becoming what’s often called “multi-hyphenates”. They’re combining different skills and income streams, driven not only by financial needs but also by a desire to live fully and meaningfully.
The traditional nine-to-five model doesn’t suit everyone, and increasingly, women are designing alternatives that do.
The Rise of Rural Entrepreneurship
This shift is particularly visible in rural areas like Somerset.
Women no longer need to relocate to cities to access opportunity. They’re building businesses from their kitchen tables, local cafés or shared workspaces, while staying rooted in their communities.
What’s powerful is that many are choosing to invest locally. They’re not just running businesses, they’re contributing to their local economies and building meaningful connections where they live.
Freelance Mum plays an important role in this ecosystem.
By connecting mums both locally through hubs and nationally through the wider network, it reduces isolation and creates opportunities. Every week, through our online Coffee Morning and in-person Netwalks, connections are made that lead to collaborations, referrals and support.
Sometimes it even creates what feels like a micro-economy, where women champion each other’s businesses and open doors for one another.
When mums feel supported, they don’t just grow individually. They strengthen the whole community.
The Reality of Challenges and the Power of Community
Of course, challenges still exist, and often all at once.
Childcare remains one of the biggest barriers, particularly in rural areas where options can be limited. Isolation is common when working from home. Access to flexible workspaces and reliable digital connectivity can also vary.
There are also challenges unique to certain areas. In Somerset, for example, flooding can have a real impact on businesses. I’ve seen members unable to run their classes for weeks because they simply couldn’t access their venues.
But what stands out most is the resilience.
In one instance, when a member couldn’t run her yoga classes due to flooding, another member offered her work at a glamping site. It made a real difference during a difficult time.
That’s the power of community.
What mums in business need isn’t just solutions. They need understanding, connection and support from people who truly get it.
More Than Just a Network
Freelance Mum started as a solution to a personal challenge, but it has grown into something much bigger.
It’s a space where women can build businesses in a way that works for them. Where they can be seen and heard. Where they can grow in confidence as well as capability.
Because when mums succeed in business, the impact goes far beyond income.
It strengthens families, communities and the wider economy.
And it all starts with connection.
Photo credits, with kind thanks to Nina Raingold.
NB an extract of this blog was featured in a BBC interview on The Rise of the Digital Nomads.
