An annual event to support women in business has just made it easier for working mums to get involved.

The Essex Business Women’s Experience is in its third year and will be held at the Park Inn Radisson, Southend on Friday.

The event includes 65 stands of Essex-based women-led businesses, networking events and workshops.

And now the founders, Beccy Mae-Rose and Rosemary Cunningham have teamed up with Pop Up Childcare Essex to make attending easier for mums with little ones.
Beccy Mae-Rose said: “When Rosemary and I set it up in 2015 it was purely to get the women around us more affordable marketing and connections for their business.

“The Essex Business Women’s Experience has gone from strength to strength and we have just added some kids activities supplied by pop up childcare who will be there so business mums can come along for a while, make good connections without needing childcare for networking.

“This isn’t aimed at mums dropping kids off with the service, it’s more about entertaining the pre-schoolers so mums can at least pop in for an hour or two over the day.

“I’m a busy single mum myself and I know how hard it can be running a business with little ones to think of, so this new addition to the event is very exciting for the team.”

Exhibitors on the day include Emma Pickles Accountants, Essex Hair, Living Decor and Shelley Speck Personal Shopper, Legal Mediation, Not Just Travel – Debbie Hunt Ltd, Space 282, and the Hive Enterprise Centre Southend Victoria Ltd.

There will also be a start up zone to help get your business of the ground – and networking events will run from 8am to 6pm and workshops from 10am to 4pm.

Pop Up Childcare Essex will provide a supervised activity area which will include arts and crafts and some floor activities in the lounge area, so mums attending can have a conversation while their little ones are entertained.

Becky, who founded and runs RED Matchmaking Ltd, added: “If this goes well we will consider a full childcare session next year too allow mums to attend one of the 20 workshops. It’s all about getting feedback from mums and meeting their needs.

“I became a business mum back in 2009 and often had to take my then three-year-old and 18-month-old daughters on meetings and promotional activities.

“However it can be hard to concentrate if your little people aren’t happy. A happy child equals a happy mum.

“Being able to spend more time with our children is one of the reasons why there are more women going into business now than ever before.

“I researched “Mumprenurs” as part of my business degree in 2014 and it’s fascinating.”

Since its launch in 2015, Essex Business Women’s Experience has grown hugely.

Becky said: “Collaborative working is a key feature of the ethos behind Essex Business Women’s Experience.

“It’s not all about the money changing hands it’s also about helping each other to be bigger and better together, just like Pop Up Childcare helping us in return for us promoting them.”

Workshops on the day will include, build your own website, speaking with confidence, mindfulness and meditation, tips and tools for start-ups and the science of colour, the language of clothes.

Breakfast networking will be from 8am until 9.30am. Breakfast is £10 and must be booked in advance.

There will be speed networking in the morning and afternoon – with no need to book. Twilight networking will take place in the bar. just buy your own drinks.

Tickets are £15 for two and men are welcome too.

For more information or to buy your ticket, go to www.essexbusinesswomensexperience.com