Juggling work and family is child’s play for mum Renee
THE number of women turning to self- employment has risen by 57 per cent since 2008, found a new report by the Association of independent Professionals and the self-Employed (iPsE).
Two of the most commonly cited reasons for the change were better income (23 per cent) and working conditions (22 per cent).
Mothers now account for about one in eight self-employed people.
Renee Micklefield, 40, found that her job as a retail marketing manager did not leave enough time for her then-baby daughter so decided to launch her own franchise.
‘i looked at several franchises in the early years sector and chose Baby sensory, as i had been to its play sessions with my daughter and we enjoyed them,’ she says.
‘i could choose the number of Baby sensory classes i ran and arrange them around childcare.’
Renee — who now has two daughters — runs 33 classes a week in Bexley and Greenwich, south East london, and employs a team of staff.
‘initially, it was a huge pay cut,’ she says. ‘But now i earn more than i did as an employee and can fit my business around my family.’
Renee welcomes the suggestion from iPsE that some of the benefits enjoyed by employees should be extended to the self-employed.
Corinne stuart, iPsE’s head of commercial development, says: ‘The Government should ensure self- employed mothers have all the assistance and support they need, for example by making them eligible for statutory Maternity Pay — like employees.’
Baby sensory and its sister franchise, Toddler sense, are about enhancing early years learning and development. sean McKeon, Baby sensory general manager, says: ‘A franchise business can offer work-life balance and the chance to fulfil business ambitions with the backing and stability of an established brand.’
Baby sensory start-up investment is £7,450, including training, equipment, music, lessons, books and support.