Self-Employed Mum Life: Emily, Mother Brand.

This Month's Self-Employed Mum is someone I have known for a very long time, and I absolutely loved creating this post with her, her answers are so inspiring and honest and I can't wait to share this with you. Meet the lovely Emily Gallagher.

Emily is an amazing mum of two boys, business women and life coach. Emily and I both did the same Life Coaching course together last year, and I have so loved getting to know her even better in this time and watching her grow her incredible new business Mother Brand.

Meet Emily Gallagher, Self-Employed Mum and the founder of Mother Brand.

Hey Emily, tell us all about your new and exciting business Mother Brand?

I founded Mother Brand to offer Coaching and Support to Mums. It's become an incredible community of mums being heard, enabled and championed - not only by me but by other mums in our expanding network. In my coaching I focus heavily on who mums are beyond motherhood - I help mums get back to who they are, and where they're headed. We've also expanded into Corporate work now helping those mums currently working, and mums returning to work after maternity leave. 

How did you find studying to be a life coach and creating your business around being a mum of two?

I loved it. I began the course after my youngest started school and I found myself with pockets of time. It felt great to use my brain and learn tools, techniques and psychology foundations that are so utterly applicable in day to day life. 

What does your day tend to look like?

It always starts early. If I'm not up before the boys, I feel like I'm on the back foot. I love the mornings - however early it needs to be- to do yoga, get prepped for the day and get in the right mindset. If it's the school holidays, the days are heavily focussed on kids - but I'm always conscious to book in time for me - I know my limits. I try and pre schedule social media so that I'm not on that throughout the day, but I'll aim to do 2-3 coaching sessions a day and then emails and business admin around that. 

Being Self Employed, it can be so hard to switch off from work, how do you create a good work x life balance, and detach from work when you're with your children?

I absolutely have to practice what I preach. I've learnt so much from helping other mums and I love that I can be a role model in taking time for myself and investing in things I want to do - so that I can then enjoy being with the kids. Phones are a massive bug bear for me and I try to have at least 30 minutes a day of proper time with the kids where my phone is out the room and I'm listening and interacting with them fully. Detaching from work - the ultimate unwind for me is a seaswim or a gym session. 

Mother Brand is a space to champion and support other mothers, I would love to know how you replicate that in your everyday life and create space for yourself?

I really have become so much better at this - and I do it without guilt. I say no to things I don't want to do, I know my limits and when I need a break, I ask for help and I always value my time. Just before the summer holidays (which I knew would be intense) I went to London alone for 24 hours - I'd never have done that 5 years ago, but I knew I'd come home a better mum. 

What would you say are the “highs and lows” of running your own business as a self-employed mum?

Highs - having control of my own time, being flexible and largely remote, able to work in the 'cracks' of the day, getting a new client and seeing the difference that even a 20 minute discovery call can make.

Lows - working on your own and not having people to bounce ideas off, and getting inspired and wanting to work but being in the midst of a day with the children and having to 'hold that thought' until I find a gap to get my laptop out.

What words of wisdom would you give to other mums thinking of setting up their own business?

Go for it - mums are incredible - their organisation, time management, achievement levels and ambition are unparalleled and they have so much to offer. Be prepared to work hard - and get some coaching to hold yourself accountable to someone and enjoy being supported.

Find out more about Mother Brand at https://www.motherbrand.me/

or check them out on Instagram: @motherbrand.me