In this episode, Caroline Marshall interviews Olivia and Tanyka Davson, sisters and co-founders of Cubbi, the UK's first parental leave discount platform. They share their journey from no-code MVP to national platform, navigating entrepreneurship during early motherhood, pitching on Dragon's Den, and building a mission-led business that supports new parents financially and emotionally.

Topics:

Building a no-code MVP during early motherhood

Securing brand partnerships and investment

Navigating pregnancy and entrepreneurship

The impact of AI tools on startup development

Chapters:

00:30 Introduction to Cubbi and Its Founders

01:58 The Journey to Entrepreneurship

04:36 Financial Challenges of Parenthood

07:15 Building a Business with No-Code Tools

12:51 The Experience of Pitching on Dragon's Den

15:35 Navigating Investment Challenges

19:44 Preparing for Dragon's Den

22:37 Navigating Maternity Leave as Entrepreneurs

27:28 Balancing Parenthood and Business

29:20 The Importance of Community Support for New Parents

33:21 Rediscovering Joy Amidst the Chaos

35:30 Connecting with Cubbi

Links:

Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/

About Cubbi, Olivia and Tanyka Davson

Today we're welcoming Olivia and Tanyka Davison. They are sisters and co-founders of Cubbi, the UK's first parental leave discount platform designed specifically for new and expecting parents. Cubbi works like a student discount or blue light card, but for the perinatal window, offering verified new parents discounts across baby, maternity, food, fashion, wellness, and everyday spending. From Boots and Nike to Tommy Tippie and free coffees at Boston Tea Party.

Cubbi now connects parents with over 200 brands at a time when income drops and costs rise. The idea came when Olivia's first baby was just eight weeks old, sleep deprived, pacing coffee shops with a crying newborn and feeling the financial pressure of maternity leave, she realized something. Why were new parents paying full price at one of the most expensive and vulnerable points in their life? She phoned her sister, Tanyka, and that conversation became Cubbi.

What started as a scrappy no-code MVP built by two sisters has grown into a national platform with thousands of downloads and investments secured in Dragon's Den. And in perhaps one of the most iconic Found-A-Mum moments we've seen on this podcast, Olivia pitched Cubbi to the Dragons at nine months pregnant, just a week before her planned C-section.

Cubbi's Links:

Website: https://www.cubbi.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cubbiapp/

LinkedIn (Tanyka): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyka-davson-315766134/

LinkedIn (Olivia): https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-davson-1998ab82/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cubbi.uk/

Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Rosie Nixon, former editor-in-chief of Hello Magazine, shares her journey from high-profile journalism to coaching and retreats. This episode explores her career pivots, overcoming burnout, and redefining her identity and values in midlife.

Topics:

Career transition from magazine editor to coach
Overcoming burnout and stress management
The importance of values and self-awareness in reinvention

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Rosie Nixon's Journey
08:14 The Impact of Motherhood on Career Identity
11:10 Balancing Work and Family Life
14:07 Experiencing Burnout
16:37 Redefining Identity Beyond Work
19:19 Creating Supportive Work Environments for Women
30:53 Embracing Change
37:09 Planning Your Next Steps
40:45 Navigating New Opportunities
46:30 Finding Happiness in Simple Moments

Links:

Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/

About Rosie Nixon

Rosie is a woman whom many of us will associate with red carpets and the glossy front covers of Hello Magazine, where she served as editor in chief for nearly 15 years. Not only that, Rosie is a mother of two, a bestselling author, a qualified coach, podcaster, and founder of Rosie's Reinvention Retreats, who has consciously redesigned her life and work around her wellbeing, values, and family.

After decades in top roles at Hello, Glamour, Red, and Grazia, Rosie stepped away from the high-profile big job and into a new phase one that allows her to support other women through career pivots, burnout, and midlife transitions.

Rosie Nixon's Links:

Website: https://www.rosienixon.co.uk/
Retreats: https://www.rosienixon.co.uk/reinvention-retreats
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosie-nixon-89b99519/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosiejnixon/

Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

How was your first Christmas with a baby? Mine was…not as I had hoped. And I think that's the same for everyone. Your life has changed fundamentally, but Christmas just keeps being Christmas, with the same old family dynamics. And I found that rough, I definitely had a Christmas Crash - if that is/was you too, you're not alone

Christmas is a triggering time for everyone, and we all need to do what we gotta do to get through it. I'm sharing what I've learnt for how to manage (mitigate?) Christmas, Bailey's in hand, from the practical - I order my tree in September, yes I am that guy - to the emotional. Set the bar extremely low, your kids don't know any different. They don't know Elf on the Shelf is supposed to come with presents.

Resources:

TJ Power the DOSE Effect

Kim Hartwell meditation

Jo Woodhurst, Head of Nutrition at Ancient + Brave meditation

Takeaways:

• Christmas is triggering for everyone, in different ways

• Don't put so much pressure on yourself

• Plan ahead as much as possible

• Ask for help

• Remember to rest when you can

• Set the bar low for your family

• Merry Christmas!
  

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

00:30 Introduction and Reflections on Motherhood at Christmas

03:21 Navigating the Challenges of Early Motherhood

06:06 Planning and Preparing for Christmas

08:43 Balancing Family and Business During the Holidays

11:46 Self-Care and Managing Expectations

14:24 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Listeners

Links:

Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley

Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/