As we step into a new year, Successful Mums founder Jane Knight reflects on how it all began, how the community has grown and what lies ahead as we look towards 2026.

“The start of a new year always feels like the right moment to pause, reflect and look ahead. As we move into 2026, I’ve been thinking about how far Successful Mums has come and what’s still to come.

It’s been quite a journey since 2014, when we ran our very first Back to Work programme for a small (but wonderfully engaged) group of mums. At the time, I was already a teacher and careers adviser. I’d coached countless brilliant people and designed and delivered hundreds of training programmes.

But when I launched Successful Mums, something felt different.

I was still the same teacher.
The same careers adviser.
The same course content.

But I was also a mum.

My maternity leave had left a noticeable gap on my CV. Instead of letting that knock my confidence, I decided to turn that experience into something positive. I set myself a goal – to support 100 mums back into work. It felt ambitious, but achievable. Nervously, I made it happen.

On a cold but sunny May morning, I stood in front of my first group of mums. I felt a little wobbly, but I was ready, focused and determined to help.

What I quickly realised was that I’d found a new voice. Like the women sitting in front of me, I’d gained a whole new set of skills through motherhood – skills I hadn’t fully recognised or valued before. It became my job to help mums see the same in themselves.

Because becoming a parent changes how you see the world. You may step away from paid work for a while but let’s be honest, it’s hardly a break. Confidence can dip. Direction can blur. That sense of ‘who am I professionally?’ can feel harder to answer.

But I also knew something else to be true: the skills developed through parenting – resilience, adaptability, problem-solving, emotional intelligence – are exactly what many employers are looking for.

So I adapted the courses.

I reshaped them for mums.

We highlighted transferable skills, reframed parenting experience as valuable work experience, rebuilt confidence, rediscovered purpose and focused on realistic, sustainable work–life balance.

And it worked.

The mums loved it – and the results were visible almost immediately. Successful Mums gave women the tools, confidence and belief to take steps towards careers and businesses they once thought were out of reach.

We haven’t looked back since.

Today, we’ve supported over 10,000 women to rebuild confidence, return to work, change direction or start businesses of their own.

As employers began asking to meet our Successful Mums “graduates” and mums wanted to meet genuinely flexible, family-friendly employers, something powerful happened. A natural matchmaking service emerged – good for mums, good for employers and ultimately good for the wider economy.

In response to growing employer interest, we launched the Successful Mums Job Board, showcasing flexible and part-time roles. We also developed our Employer Partnerships, working with organisations who want to connect directly with our skilled, motivated audience, particularly those with strong equality, diversity and inclusion values.

Alongside this, giving back has always been part of who we are. From free webinars and enterprise talks in schools, to charity events supporting Bromley Brighter Beginnings, community sits at the heart of Successful Mums.

None of this happens alone. I’m incredibly grateful for the brilliant team of Successful Mums who make everything possible – and for the mums, employers and partners who believe in what we’re building.

As we look ahead to 2026, we have exciting new training programmes, partnerships and opportunities planned. Whether you’re a mum exploring your next step, an employer keen to access untapped talent or a funding partner looking to make real impact – I’d love to hear from you.

Because Successful Mums is good for mums, good for business – and a lot of fun too.

And finally, since that very first cold but sunny May morning, I’ve met some truly wonderful women through Successful Mums. I’m proud to call many of them friends. Through the power of this community, we continue to lift each other up in ways we’ll never fully measure.

Happy New Year.”

#mumsupportingmums

Jane Knight

Join the Successful Mums community
Whether you’re a mum thinking about your next step, an employer looking to access skilled, flexible talent or a partner keen to create real impact – we’d love to hear from you, email us here at hello@successfulmums.co.uk. If you’d like to find out more about our courses click HERE to see what is on offer.