Interview: Abbie Coleman on Mothers Means Business fighting the recruiters "inequality problem”

Last year, experienced recruitment consultant Abbie Coleman set out to tackle the lack of high-profile, part-time career opportunities for new mothers in Yorkshire.

After noticing that lots of highly qualified women were applying for roles well below their pay grade and ability, Abbie set out to offer a solution.

So in October 2015, the Leeds-based businesswoman launched Mothers Mean Business (MMB) - an organisation which aims to prevent large pools of mid-senior level talent being lost from the business environment when women enter parenthood.

Now five months on, Bdaily recently caught up with Abbie to discuss the progress of Mothers Mean Business and her long term plans to help working mothers outside of the region.

Abbie began by taking me back to when the idea for MMB first came about. She explained: “I began planning the venture in March 2015, but it was during the 12 months after having my son that I first began to really acknowledge the challenges facing working mothers.

“Because I’m self employed – and I love my job – I was back to it two months after giving birth. Several times I was also made to feel guilty for continuing to be passionate about my career, but this didn’t mean I didn’t love my son!

“Nobody questions the ability of fathers to work full time and still be a great father.”

Abbie, who has worked in recruitment for 15 years, was exposed to “the scale of the inequality problem” working mothers faced when she had her son in November 2013.

“I started speaking to some amazing mothers about part time roles I was recruiting for,” she said. “Time and again I saw women with a wealth of experience considering roles well below their pay grade and ability, simply because it was the only flexible employment available, especially in the early years of a child’s life.

“So I dug a little deeper and found that, ridiculously, the need for part time hours seems to exclude women from the business table they previously sat at. Women have such a fight on their hands to get back to their previous level, and are effectively shelving their skills and returning to ‘jobs’ rather than careers, simply because it is the only flexible employment available.

“Since establishing MMB I’ve conducted research which adds further weight to the argument. 83% of our respondents said they feel there has been a potential or definite limit to their career options since having a child – not through lack of ability or skills, but because they work part-time. 51% also said they felt they’d taken a step back in their careers because they worked part-time hours.

“The struggles may differ depending on each family’s individual situation, but the underlying issues are the same. Families that don’t qualify for government support for example, will struggle with childcare bills if the mother’s salary is suddenly significantly slashed and pro rata’d. As for single working mothers and single working fathers – I don’t know how they do it.

“A true work-life balance should be the opportunity to blend a career we love with quality time with the family.”

So how can MMB help highly skilled mothers find employment? “We bring together all the information, career advice and advancement support that a working mother needs for their career and business life, alongside an online jobs board showcasing flexible and part-time employment opportunities throughout the region,” Abbie explained.

“We’re also launching a new loyalty card on 8 March – International Women’s Day, at the Paviliions of Harrogate. This has two main benefits – it promotes a number of businesses run and managed by working mothers and it gives our members discounted access to a host of professional services and personal treats. And we’re thrilled to say we’re currently in talks with the Victoria Quarter so watch this space!

“I think one of the most important elements of MMB however, is the community we’ve created. Like-minded women can network, share advice, empower and learn from one another.”

“Watch this space for an awards scheme too, which will recognise the region’s most innovative and entrepreneurial women, plus Yorkshire’s most flexible and forward-thinking employers.”

Since launching last October, Abbie revealed that the organisation has received “support from women with very different personal circumstances – mothers whose full time role is in the home are praising our efforts to promote choice; working mothers are talking to us and sharing their advice; open letters are pouring in from men and women about their experiences of being a working parent; and women who haven’t yet had children are looking to the future and thinking what it could hold for them if we don’t see a mindset shift.

“We only have to look at our website stats to know we’re making a difference in the region. MMB has 55,000 page views per month, and that figure is growing! On a personal level, it’s the small things that have meant the world to me, such as MMB water bottles in the gym or people looking at our website on the bus. I can’t quite believe it.”

As for future growth plans outside of Yorkshire, Abbie revealed that she “was committed to staying small and getting it right, before expanding.”

“Our focus was always Yorkshire for the first six months,” she said. “We’re rolling out to the North West and the Midlands in the summer, as a result of demand from further afield. Whilst our advice is often universal, the support networks, career opportunities and loyalty card promotions are often more geography-specific.

“Within the next 12 months I’d love to be publishing a series of blogs per day, have launched an online forum for working mothers and have gained real traction with our awards.

“We won’t rest on our laurels though. I’ll continue to spread the word about MMB at relevant events, and our social media presence will be key to maintaining the conversation. Other organisations are helping us expand our reach too. Leeds City Council is handing out MMB flyers today (IWD) at their international ladies day for example, an event hosted by their first ever female leader Cllr Judith Blake. An increasing number of brands are interested in partnering with us on our loyalty card, and we’re generating greater revenue from companies advertising on our website too. This will help fund our expansion.”

Finally, Abbie also offered some wise advice for any new mother who is worried about looking to get back into employment.

She said: “If you were awesome before you had a child, you’re probably even better now. Don’t forget that. If you have forgotten, search for the new Ariel India advert on YouTube for some spine-tingling inspiration, not only about your ability but also how to raise our children as equals, at home and in business.

“Know your facts such as any financial restrictions, map out your career goals and where you want them to take you. Don’t necessarily rely on recruitment agencies to get you there. You’re your own best asset. So, if you have identified an organisation you want to work for, go direct, especially to SMEs. Tell the business owner why they need to hire you. And immerse yourself in a community that will fuel your confidence, put that fire back in your belly, and support you to succeed.

“If all this sounds great, but you don’t know where to start – give us a call.”