Relocating to a new area is an exciting adventure — but for freelancers and businesswomen, it can also bring a surprising sense of isolation. This is even more true of women who juggle the running a business alongside motherhood. Sue Richards, a member of our South Devon Freelance Mum hub, knows this feeling well.
A Long-Awaited Move to South Devon
Sue had dreamed about moving to South Devon since 2007. After years of holidaying in the area and loving everything it had to offer, she finally made the leap with her family in October 2019 — just five months before the first COVID-19 lockdown changed everything.
While Sue already had a good circle of friends in the region, thanks to her holiday visits, she found herself missing one key connection: a supportive business network. “I didn’t have many friends in the business world,” Sue shares. She joined a local networking group for women in South Devon, which was friendly and relaxed — but like so many in-person networking events, it paused during lockdown and struggled to regain momentum afterward.
The Need for a Community That Truly Understands
Sue realised she needed more than just a networking group — she needed a community of women who ‘got it’. Who knew what it meant to when it comes to being a mum and running a business. “I wanted to be around women who brought out the best in me,” she says.
That’s when she discovered Freelance Mum South Devon. Seeing an advert on Facebook for the South Devon netwalk, felt like the perfect fit for her nature-loving spirit. What’s not to love about walking outside having a good conversation, especially if it’s about ‘Freelance Mum life’!
Sue attended her first Freelance Mum netwalk in Spring 2024 and instantly loved the experience. Though life threw some curveballs, delaying her full membership, she officially joined later that year and hasn’t looked back.
What Makes Freelance Mum Different?
Now, after six months as a member of the Freelance Mum South Devon community, Sue describes it as a big, supportive family. “I love the community, the connections I’ve made, and the shared values — wanting to be a great mum and a successful business owner.”
What truly sets Freelance Mum apart from other business networking groups for women in South Devon is the genuine connection and lack of pressure. “There’s no elevator pitches, no selling, and no requirement to keep bringing people into the community. FM is all about genuine support.”
Why South Devon Women Choose Freelance Mum
For women relocating to South Devon, or those feeling isolated in their freelance or business journey, finding a local female networking event or business networking club can feel overwhelming. Freelance Mum offers a welcoming space, especially for mums who want to grow their business while balancing family life.
Our South Devon hub hosts regular in-person networking events that focus on real conversations, shared experiences, and meaningful connections — not just business cards and sales pitches. Whether you’re searching for networking events for mums in South Devon or a business network for women in South Devon that feels like a true community, Freelance Mum is here to support you.
Not to mention, the fact the South Devon Hub, is one of many hubs across the UK – means you always feel part of a wider network. With weekly online Coffee Mornings, there’s always someone from the ‘FM family’ you can chat to throughout the week. You can enjoy the benefits of ‘moving to the country’, without feeling like you’re disconnected from people.
Thinking about joining?
If you’re a mum in business living in South Devon, feeling the pull of isolation or simply wanting to meet like-minded women, why not come along to one of our next in-person networking events in South Devon? You can find out more and join the conversation with Freelance Mum South Devon, where genuine connection meets business growth.
