By JESSE GRAHAM
MUMS who want to learn essential skills to run their own businesses now have a supportive, positive environment to learn in with other mothers in the Yarra Ranges.
Seville business owner and mum Jenifar Hathaway is hosting the monthly meetings of the Yarra Ranges Business Mums Club at the Yarra Valley Herb Farm in Lilydale.
The focus of the club, which is run through the people behind support and advice website Motivating Mum, is to encourage women, particularly mums, to get together and help each other to succeed in business.
Ms Hathaway, who founded JLH Bookkeeping, said the club provided a supportive atmosphere for mums.
“At other networking events, they’re usually quite professional and you can’t take your children,” she said.
“These are informal in that you can take the kids and form relationships with people who are in a similar situation.”
Ms Hathaway said that she went to a Business Mum Club herself after leaving a previous job.
“I was working part-time as an accountant and had a pretty bad time,” she said.
“I’ve got young kids and I just thought I could go out and start my own business.
“I went to a Business Mums Club in Olinda and they gave me ideas on how to get started.”
Alli Price from Motivating Mum said the Business Mums Club was a cost-effective way for mums in the Yarra Valley to find business help.
“The mums of the Yarra Ranges will be able to turn to experts in business that don’t cost the earth – each other,” she said.
“Instead of spending hard-earned money on expensive finance, business and marketing consultants, the mums can brainstorm together to solve their business questions, challenges or concerns.”
The Business Mums Club meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of each month, with the next meeting on 8 May from 10am to noon at the Yarra Valley Herb Farm in Lilydale.
Entry to the Club is $27 for a trial meeting and $132 for a six-month membership.
For more information, contact Jenifar Hathaway at jenifar.lilydale@motivatingmum.com.
