Mum of 3, Louise had always valued learning and improving her skills, so when she saw our Digital and Social Media course advertised she knew that was what she needed to make her business a success.

What is your background pre-children?

I worked as an account handler and strategist in above-the-line advertising agencies.

After leaving advertising I took three months out and then set up my first business as a marketing consultant.

What barriers did you face starting your business?

• Balancing the need for childcare whilst not being able to initially earn enough income to cover the childcare costs.
• With my background working in large advertising agencies, I was used to managing big projects and considering the big picture – but I had access to lots of specialists whose job it was to deliver on specific tasks. When I set up my own business it was down to me to do every task and initially I didn’t have the knowledge to do all the tasks required.
• Fear of putting myself out there and potentially failing.

What course did you attend, how did you hear about it and why did you choose to apply?

I registered for the Digital and Social Media Course for Mums in Business after I saw a Facebook post from a previous participant in a local Facebook community. I have always valued learning and improving my skills and whilst I had a background in advertising and was good with the theory – I had never actually had to do the ‘doing’ myself – so this was an area where I felt I lacked the skills and knowledge that I needed to make my business a success.

Tell us your experience of the course?  

The best bit for me was turning the theory into action on my own business. The theory was interesting – but putting it into practice was where I really started to learn. I also learned about some really useful tools that I still use to support my business now.

Did the course change your life in anyway?

It built my confidence – I went from rarely posting on Instagram to now where I post 6 times a week and have nearly 2k followers.

What is your Business?

I still have my marketing consultancy businesses but my main focus is my start-up of which I am the co-founder. Our business is called ‘now, sit down’ and we design and sell sustainable home furnishings designed in a closed-loop system.

What is the biggest thing you have gained and how will you use this in the future?

Confidence in how to use social media for business.

What top tip would you give another mum at the start of their business journey?

Being a mum and owning a business is a constant juggle and can feel overwhelming at times. But try to make time to invest in learning and time to focus on your business. Because if you just focus on learning you’ll never make anything. But if you just focus on your business, you will never learn how you can get better.

What one word would you use to sum up the course?

Empowering.