Milton Keynes mum of two autistic boys wins award for being successful entrepreneur

A Milton Keynes mum to two autistic boys has won a national award for being a successful female entrepreneur
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Social Media specialist Samantha Poole has won the Multimixer award from national organisation Single Mums in Business Network (SMBN) for her suite of businesses and products that started from a Facebook group called Mum to Mum Milton Keynes, which she created back in 2010.

Samantha said she set up her own business, Mums in UK Ltd, three years ago as a single parent and is a serial entrepreneur, creating MumsRate, MumsRates, Mum to Mum Mag, SJPoole Networking, Social Media Consultancy and The Love Local Hub.

She said: “I’m delighted to win this award, as setting up a business was my only option following my divorce, and to be recognised nationally is huge for my emerging brand.

Samantha Poole Photo: Laura Rachael PhotographySamantha Poole Photo: Laura Rachael Photography
Samantha Poole Photo: Laura Rachael Photography

"Being a single parent is hard work for anyone, however, there are particular challenges when you are also building your own business: there is constant pressure as you cannot rely on a regular income initially."

Sam said some of the biggest challenges on her business journey so far include 'bringing up children alone and relying on a single household income' and also her two boys being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which has been a 'difficult time' recently.

Whe the now 44-year-old started Mum to Mum back in 2010, she said she 'never thought' that it would become a well- known brand which is now set to franchise in 2021.

She said: “I started the business directory to enable me to work more flexibly when my children were six and ten after I decided to end my marriage. Now I’m supporting myself, my children, and other parents to do the same.

Samantha Poole Photo: Laura Rachael PhotographySamantha Poole Photo: Laura Rachael Photography
Samantha Poole Photo: Laura Rachael Photography

"My growing team is mainly local mums, and my freelance designer, VA, PA, Copywriter and admin assistant are also parents with young children."

Julie Hawkins, founder of SMBN, said: “Many women are forced to make difficult ‘choices’ around their careers and caring for children – and as a society that needs to change.

"These are often choices men do not have to consider, and it’s not really a ‘choice’ at all when work and childcare end at the same time. I created the SMBN to support those women who are trying to build their own businesses because they want to continue working but are locked out of the workplace in line with their salary and skillset.

"Benefits would not be needed if presenteeism, for the sake of an hour overlap between work and childcare was tackled. The network is aimed at supporting those women and tackling the stigma they often face due to misconceptions, whilst raising awareness of the companies that prey on them to work for free.”