Finding a Small but Mighty Community

Navigating Self-Employment and Motherhood

Last year marked a significant transition in my life. I made the leap to become self-employed after 13 years working in a job I loved to do something completely different. Moving from a team environment to running my own business alone has been a challenge, and although I enjoy working by myself, I have to admit it has been a somewhat lonely journey. And if that wasn’t enough, I did it all with a baby in tow!

I love running my own business and the freedom it brings. When little baby Bowe arrived, I decided to forego what you might call a 'traditional' maternity leave. Instead, I took advantage of those precious moments during naps, evenings, and weekends when he was sleeping to work on my passion (and in those early days he slept a lot!). This allowed me to stay connected and keep things moving forward, even if it were only inches, in the small pockets of time I could find.

Here I am working with Bowe at 10 days old! I re-opened the website at 2 weeks postpartum with a 15% off discount code. A whopping 50+ orders took me around a day to pack (which probably wasn't the smartest idea being on my feet that long so soon after birth!), but the re-opening was a success and reassured me that going self-employed was the right decision.

As 2024 approached and I was coming out of the newborn haze, I realised the importance of finding a network of like-minded business owners to keep me motivated (and somewhat sane!). I sought out a community where others understood the unique balance of managing a business and raising a child. That’s when I discovered 'Freelance Mum' in Bristol, a wonderful network of women who truly understand the struggle of having your mind stretched across so many responsibilities at once while raising a family and running your own business.

We meet a few times a month for what's called a 'netwalk', combining networking with a refreshing walk. The lovely Faye Dicker started the group 10 years ago being a new mum herself but unable to find a supportive network of like-minded women. Through Freelance Mum I've met some amazing women who have been incredibly encouraging, I've made valuable connections and have been opened up to more opportunities. For example, I met Natalie from Sockatoos at her stall in John Lewis (children's trousers with inbuilt socks - a lifesaver when all your little one wants to do is pull their socks off!) through PR Specialist Stacey Bramhall; Stacey encouraged me to apply for a stall at John Lewis, and I'm thrilled to announce that we’ll be there in October for a whole week! Additionally, Claire Callaghan suggested I connect with the Bristol Running Show where we ran a stall in April which was great for meeting local runners and making more connections with Bristol businesses.

Our recent discussions at Freelance Mum have revolved around the theme 'what's your why?', inspired by Simon Sinek’s famous Ted Talk. For some reason I struggled to finish his book (nowadays I'm finding it almost impossible to sit and read a paperback, instead listening to everything via Audible!), but the Ted Talk is well worth a watch.

Reflecting on my 'why' has been a powerful exercise. It reminded me of why I started Avo Activewear in the first place. As a 5'1" woman, I have struggled for many years to find properly fitting activewear. Given that around 50% of the female population in the UK are 5'3" or below, I knew I wasn’t alone in this struggle. My purpose is clear: to create activewear that fits and functions well for shorter women. This is the very reason Avo exists, and I believe it’s a pretty strong purpose!

Our discussions also delved into the 'how' and then the 'what'. For Avo, the 'how' is all about our commitment to design and functionality. We focus on creating activewear that not only fits well but also performs excellently. And the 'what'? That’s our entire petite range! We offer a variety of activewear specifically designed for shorter women, ensuring that they have access to stylish, high-quality clothing that fits their bodies perfectly.

Navigating self-employment while juggling motherhood has been a journey filled with learning and growth. Finding a supportive network in 'Freelance Mum' has been invaluable, it has spurred me along and helped me stay focused on my 'why'. As I continue on this path, I’m excited to see Avo grow and to connect with more women who share similar experiences. I've started sharing more behind the scenes content on TikTok which has been another great way to connect with other female founders, and will continue to share my journey and further updates on this blog.

Thank you for reading ☺️

Ally x