Karen Mattison Of Women Like Us

My guest today is Karen Mattison of Women Like Us. Women Like Us connects mums who are looking to get back into workforce with the right employers. Since its launch in 2005, the company has been growing fast. It has helped thousands of women find suitable work. Karen and Emma (business partner) have established some valuable partnerships with schools and government agencies. These partnerships have been valuable for the growth of the company. In 2008 Karen was crowned the business mum of the year (in UK). Read and Be Inspired !!!

Can you tell us a bit about your business and how you got the idea to start this business?

Women Like Us – a multi-award-winning social enterprise – was founded in 2004 and supports women with children to find flexible work and helps employers source experienced, part-time staff. The enterprise was conceived by myself and partner Emma Stewart when, as employers ourselves, both Emma and I were looked to employ part time support but really struggled to find the right candidate.

Inspired by other employers facing the same dilemma, we began to look to the school mums around us and realised here were many potential employees – women wanting to return to work but who lacked the confidence or access to services to support them.

Recognising the hidden potential of this unique ‘school-gates’ network, we began to nurture the idea of an enterprise that could put employers in touch with these women, and provide both parties with the support they needed to make sure the relationships Women Like Us brokered were lasting ones.

Once women register with Women Like Us they are able to access our coaching and recruitment services. These services provide a one-stop shop from coaching and referrals, to skills workshops, and ultimately the contacts and job opportunities to work both flexibly and locally – from school gates to salaries.

To date we have now supported over 6,000 women to return to work – a success which is underpinned by Women Like Us’ ability to match the right candidate with the right job.

What were some of the problems you faced in the start up phase ?

The biggest problem was probably the speed at which we grew when we were first setting-up. We had under-estimated the power of the school network and how fantastic women are at word-of-mouth PR! Before we knew it we had a continual stream of women registering with Women Like Us but we needed time to consolidate our systems, staff and ensure we had the right employers on board to match the women with.

We needed to keep our minds focused on our business plan and objectives and resist the temptation to let the business grow at such a rapid pace. And by doing this it wasn’t long before we could control growth at a more realistic, but still positive rate.

Did you ever want to give up?

Because Women Like Us has grown so rapidly and this growth has been both exciting and challenging, there has never been time to even think about giving up! Also Women Like Us is doing something I feel so passionately about that I cant imagine a job I would love more. If ever I do have a bad day where I feel frustrated or over-loaded, I only need listen to a woman telling us of the difference her new job has made to her life and it all makes sense again, why I’m doing what I’m doing.

What is the most enjoyable part of your day ?

I think it’s that moment when I can change into a different gear – first thing in the morning, when the children are safely deposited in schools and childcare and I reach the office and get behind my desk. It’s like placing a different head on my body at that moment of switching on the computer – I’m back to being Karen Mattison, Business Woman and Mum as opposed to just Mum!

What is the best advice you ever received about running a business?

My advice would centre around the actual setting-up of a business – and it would be to look at all the detail involved in running an actual business. Many people launch themselves in to business-planning by looking at the big picture only – the idea, the vision, the outcome. It’s essential whilst nurturing your dream into reality that you also consider all the detail that comes with it – for instance: who’s going to look after the children if you have to work evenings?

Will you be able to exist if the first few years don’t yield a salary? Have you researched every aspect of your market? Ensuring you consider all the finer points will make for a smoother transition into becoming a business entrepreneur.

Have you got a couple of tips for mums looking to getting back into workforce ?

Think about both the skills and experience you had before you had children, but also, importantly, the skills you have gained by being a mum – there will be many that you hadn’t even realized you’d gained!

Consider how you would like to work and what would fit around your family lifestyle – what kind of hours? Would you prefer local employment? Do you want a career change or would you like to return to your previous employment.

If you’re looking for some guidance on confidence-building, honing skills or help with changing careers a great next step is to talk to a Career Coach – so it might be worth taking a look at womenlikeus.org.uk and seeing how we might be able to help you on your journey back to work!

Finally, your five keys to success?

Succeeding both running a business and being a mum is a huge juggling act – but one that can be incredibly rewarding and positively challenging. My tips for success as a mum in business would include:

1. Network! Women are champions of communication, so use this to your benefit
2. Ensure you achieve the right work-life balance that works for you
3. Think creatively – don’t always seek a traditional solution to a problem
4. Find a career or business idea where you best use your skills and where you can continue to develop professionally
5. And lastly, be adaptable to change – as your children grow no doubt will your needs and your availability to work – continually re-asses what working lifestyle is right for you

Sites Of Interest

http://www.womenlikeus.org.uk/home.aspx


To read more small business ideas click Home Based Service Business


This interview was published on 15th January 2009


Visit Karen’s website to get more information about her small business ideas.