Mum Means Business – Details, episodes & analysis

In this first episode of Mum Means Business I share why I'm starting this podcast... and yes, I hit record right after putting the dishwasher on, can you tell I'm new to this?!

Motherhood can be a LOT, so why are so many of us also choosing to build businesses?  Yes we're seeking flexibility, but we’re also craving lives filled with passion, purpose and possibility. Let's do that together!

The Host:

I’m Victoria Phipps – a Mum of two, analogue family photographer, personal brand photographer, educator, charity co-founder, marketer and now podcaster! 🎙️

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @victoriaphippsmbe or @mummeansbusinesspodcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and review!

Life-Friendly Business Mentor, Erin Thomas Wong, shares her journey navigating motherhood and designing a business around family life. In this episode we discuss the challenges mothers face stepping into entrepreneurship, identity shifts, the importance of self-confidence and community, best practices to avoid burnout and redefining success on your own terms.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed juggling the demands of family and business, this episode is for you!

Conversation Highlights: 09:55 Building a Life-Friendly Business 17:53 Empowering Women in Business 25:04 Redefining Success 30:24 Setting Boundaries for Work-Life Balance 33:25 The Power of CEO Time 46:00 Self-Validation and Personal Growth

About The Guest: Erin Thomas Wong is a Mum of two who has made a name for herself as the Life-Friendly Business Mentor, helping women build business that support the life they want to live. 

Connect with her on instagram @lifefriendlybiz.

The Host:

I’m Victoria Phipps – a Mum of two, analogue family photographer, personal brand photographer, educator, charity co-founder, marketer and now podcaster! 🎙️

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @victoriaphippsmbe or @mummeansbusinesspodcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and review!

Photographer and creative entrepreneur Kate Rossin shares her powerful story of business resilience. From closing her wedding photography business after her mother’s cancer diagnosis to the letting go of two community art spaces, Kate opens up about the challenges of navigating modern motherhood, grief and the emotional toll of fighting for business survival. This is a raw, honest conversation about creativity, loss and the strength it takes to rebuild.

Conversation Highlights: 05:47 Building Confidence in a Competitive Market 15:40 Navigating Self-Promotion in Photography 18:53 Transitioning from Photography to Community Engagement 22:16 The Impact of Personal Loss on Business Decisions 35:47 The Challenges of Running a Hospitality Business 56:56 Transitioning to New Opportunities 01:02:32 Reflections on Success and Failure

About The Guest: Kate Rossin is a Mum of two, photographer and creative founder who has worn many hats in her career, with a passion for making photography and art more accessible and building creative communities.

Connect with her on instagram @depictphoto.

The Host:

I’m Victoria Phipps – a Mum of two, analogue family photographer, personal brand photographer, educator, charity co-founder, marketer and now podcaster! 🎙️

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @victoriaphippsmbe or @mummeansbusinesspodcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and review!

Caroline Cox shares how she launched a marketing agency with three babies to look after just before the pandemic and went on to build her business through connection and community. We talk motherhood, confidence and the power of real relationships in business.

Conversation Highlights: 05:41 Balancing Motherhood and Business: The Early Days 10:56 Building Relationships: The Key to Success 20:44 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business Growth 32:06 Teaching Children About Work and Responsibility 42:57 Identifying Market Gaps and Local Business Needs 46:36 The Importance of Local Community and Brand Awareness

About The Guest: Caroline Cox is a Mum of three and the founder of Caroline Cox Marketing, a thriving digital marketing agency in Nottinghamshire.

Connect with her on instagram @carolinecoxmarketing.

The Host:

I’m Victoria Phipps – a Mum of two, analogue family photographer, personal brand photographer, educator, charity co-founder, marketer and now podcaster! 🎙️

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @victoriaphippsmbe or @mummeansbusinesspodcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and review!

Former teacher Amanda Wrigley shares how motherhood inspired her to launch Live the Beat, a social enterprise connecting generations through music. From care homes to nurseries, Amanda’s mission is creating joyful, purposeful experiences for young and old alike. We talk about the power of music, building a values-led business and why connection across generations matters more than ever.

Conversation Highlights: 22:51 The Power of Music in Early Childhood Development 29:15 Connecting Generations Through Music 43:51 The Importance of Connection and Purpose 49:16 The Power of Shared Vision 52:51 A Royal Invitation to Westminster Abbey 55:08 Inspiring Change Through Intergenerational Practice 58:36 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

About The Guest: Amanda Wrigley is a Mum of two and the founder of Live the Beat, a social enterprise dedicated to connecting generations through the power of music and play.

Connect with her on instagram @livethebeatuk.

The Host:

I’m Victoria Phipps – a Mum of two, analogue family photographer, personal brand photographer, educator, charity co-founder, marketer and now podcaster! 🎙️

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @victoriaphippsmbe or @mummeansbusinesspodcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and review!

Melanie Cooke shares how she’s balancing motherhood, DIY home renovation and life as a content creator while pursuing financial freedom and aiming to be mortgage-free by 40. A joyful, grounded episode full of heart, hustle and home truths!

Conversation Highlights: 03:33 The Positive Impact of Social Media on Mental Health 09:49 The Financial Strategy Behind House Renovations 12:28 Building a Community and Sharing Knowledge 14:16 Personal Growth and Life Goals 23:11 Reclaiming Identity: Getting Your Pink Back 25:38 Fitness Journey: Reclaiming the Body 27:43 Breaking Generational Cycles: Financial Empowerment

About The Guest: Melanie Cooke is a Mum of three, an NHS physiotherapist, DIY renovation queen and the creative force behind Banish the Beige.

Connect with her on instagram @thisismelaniecooke.

The Host:

I’m Victoria Phipps – a Mum of two, analogue family photographer, personal brand photographer, educator, charity co-founder, marketer and now podcaster! 🎙️

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @victoriaphippsmbe or @mummeansbusinesspodcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and review!

This week I’m joined by Louise Lynch – teacher, cognitive behavioural hypnotherapist, hypnobirthing practitioner and founder of The Relaxed Mama Club.

Louise is passionate about supporting women through pregnancy, birth and beyond with tools that bring confidence, calm and connection. A mum of two herself, she knows first-hand the challenges of modern motherhood: the pressure to do it all, the impact of social media and the lack of the “village” we were told it takes to raise a child.

Through her work, Louise empowers mothers-to-be with knowledge, taking the mystery (and fear) out of childbirth so women can approach it with strength and self-belief. She shares how she built her brand, why personalised support matters, and the lessons she’s learned about balancing motherhood with business ownership.

Conversation Highlights: ✨ The importance of support for new mothers ✨ Demystifying childbirth through hypnobirthing ✨ Countering the “supermum” myth ✨ Creating a calm, nurturing brand ✨ Transformations she’s witnessed in her clients ✨ The mind-body connection in motherhood ✨ Balancing family life with running a business

If you’re preparing for birth, navigating early motherhood, or simply seeking encouragement to find your calm in the chaos, this conversation is full of wisdom and support.

About the Guest: Louise Lynch is the founder of The Relaxed Mama Club, where she combines yoga, hypnobirthing and hypnotherapy to support women in pregnancy and postpartum. Her mission is to empower mothers-to-be with confidence, knowledge and calm so they can enter motherhood feeling prepared and supported.

Follow Louise on Instagram at @relaxed.mama.club.

The Host:

I’m Victoria Phipps – a Mum of two, analogue family photographer, personal brand photographer, educator, charity co-founder, marketer and now podcaster! 🎙️

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @victoriaphippsmbe or @mummeansbusinesspodcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and review!

This week I’m joined by Anastasia Shubareva-Epshtein, Co-Founder and CEO of Carea, a femtech startup redefining pregnancy and postpartum care with a mental health first approach.

After graduating from Columbia University, Anastasia built a global career in product management and brand marketing with leadership roles at Bayer Consumer Health and Mastercard. But when she faced fertility struggles, IVF and miscarriage, her path took a deeply personal turn.

Determined to create the support she wished she’d had, Anastasia launched the Carea app: a safe, supportive space for women navigating the emotional complexities of pregnancy and beyond. Instead of focusing solely on clinical milestones, the app centres the wellbeing and mental health of the mother.

Email support@careaapp.com referencing "Mum Means Business" to receive 3 months off Carea's Premium offering!

Conversation Highlights: ✨ The cultural taboos surrounding pregnancy loss ✨ The tension between creativity, ambition and traditional maternal roles ✨ Why community and emotional support are so vital for mothers ✨ Building a femtech startup from lived experience ✨ Trusting that your business idea will come when the timing is right

About the Guest: Anastasia Shubareva-Epshtein is Co-Founder and CEO of Carea, a femtech startup reimagining pregnancy and postpartum care with a focus on emotional wellbeing. Drawing on her personal journey into motherhood and her global career background, she is committed to creating compassionate, personalised tools to support women through every stage of their maternity journey.

Follow Anastasia on Instagram at @careaapp.

The Host:

I’m Victoria Phipps – a Mum of two, analogue family photographer, personal brand photographer, educator, charity co-founder, marketer and now podcaster! 🎙️

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @victoriaphippsmbe or @mummeansbusinesspodcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and review!

From the classroom to the world of digital marketing, Emily Hanson’s story is proof that transferable skills can be the key to building your dream business.

A former teacher and mum of two, Emily is now the founder of Emerlilly Digital, an agency specialising in education, family and children’s brands. What began as freelancing soon grew into a thriving business supported by her husband David and a team of fellow educators-turned-marketers.

In this episode of the Mum Means Business Podcast, Emily shares how her teaching background equipped her for entrepreneurship, the challenges and breakthroughs of freelancing, and the importance of finding freedom and balance as a working mum. We also touch on the challenges of becoming a Mum for the first time during the pandemic, mental health and the courage it takes to pivot careers while raising young children.

Emily’s journey shows us that the skills you already have might be all you need to begin.

Conversation Highlights: ✨ Transitioning from teaching to digital marketing ✨ Launching Emerlilly Digital with a family-focused team ✨ Navigating motherhood and mental health during the pandemic ✨ How freelancing shaped Emily's career journey ✨ Empowering other mothers to find fun and freedom in work

About the Guest: Emily Hanson is the Founder and Director of Emerlilly Digital, a marketing agency specialising in education, family and children’s brands. A former teacher and Mum of two, she’s passionate about helping family-focused businesses and education organisations tell their stories while building a business that reflects her values.

Find out more about Emily’s work on the Emerlilly website or connect with her on Linkedin - Emily Hanson.

The Host:

I’m Victoria Phipps – a Mum of two, analogue family photographer, personal brand photographer, educator, charity co-founder, marketer and now podcaster! 🎙️

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @victoriaphippsmbe or @mummeansbusinesspodcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and review!

What if losing your job was the best thing that ever happened to you?

When Megan Tobler unexpectedly found herself unemployed during pregnancy, she realised her “safe” corporate career wasn’t so safe after all. That moment sparked a complete life pivot - leading her to create Self StartHER, a thriving podcast and online community for ambitious women building businesses around their lives.

Listen in as we talk entrepreneurship, motherhood, self-doubt and redefining success on your own terms.

Conversation Highlights:

02:40 The Leap from Corporate to Entrepreneurship 06:52 Navigating Imposter Syndrome 16:01 The Intersection of Motherhood and Ambition 26:46 The Pressure of Perfectionism in Women 30:41 Building a Supportive Community for Moms 32:58 Redefining Success and Work-Life Balance 41:11 The Journey of Authenticity and Connection 52:08 Lessons from Childhood: Embracing Imperfection

About The Guest: Megan is an entrepreneur, podcast host and founder of the Self StartHER community, dedicated to helping women unapologetically pursue their ambitions.

Connect with her on instagram @selfstart.her.

The Host:

I’m Victoria Phipps – a Mum of two, analogue family photographer, personal brand photographer, educator, charity co-founder, marketer and now podcaster! 🎙️

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @victoriaphippsmbe or @mummeansbusinesspodcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and review!