This episode is brought to you in collaboration with NE Family Law.

Women are far more likely to start a business doing what they already know. But being brilliant at your job and running a business that does it are two very different things.

In the second episode of the mini-series, Caroline and Emma talk honestly about making that leap. Emma couldn't test the waters with a side hustle as a regulated lawyer - it was all or nothing. Caroline needed redundancy and the pandemic to push her to take the risk. Both say it was the best decision they ever made.

Also discussed: the wobbles nobody posts about. Being too cautious about growth, recruiting your first team, tech FOMO, boundaries with clients when you're the face of the business, and finding it hard to let go of the things you've always done yourself.

Topics

• Starting a business in what you know, and why the vision comes later

• All or nothing, or easing out of your job: two ways to make the leap

• The wobbles nobody talks about in the first five years

• Recruiting your first team, and why you should hire before you need to

• Managing client expectations when you're the face of the business

• Letting go, being patient and backing yourself

This episode is proudly sponsored by Emma Post, mum, business owner and co-founder of NE Family Law, a boutique family law firm in Richmond upon Thames.

Emma is a Resolution-accredited family lawyer and accredited mediator who advises individuals and couples through separation or divorce. She understands that when your personal life changes, it can have a huge impact on your family, your finances and your business, and Emma helps clients bring together the right team to navigate those changes.

If you'd like to find out more, or access NE Family Law's free resources and webinars, head to https://ne-familylaw.co.uk/.

Chapters:

01:00 From doing a job to building a business

04:08 Let your vision grow beyond the practical setup

05:44 Taking the leap while managing risk

10:52 Build confidence with the right people around you

13:07 Business wobbles, hiring, and choosing the right systems

19:52 Managing client expectations as the team grows

23:15 Setting boundaries while running a client-facing business

26:13 Making time for business development and visibility

31:01 The real work of recruiting, training, and delegation

36:27 Quick-fire lessons: what gets easier and what stays hard

41:36 Back yourself and find your founder network

Links:

Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com

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

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

Substack: https://carolinemarshallupsource.substack.com/

About Emma Post

Emma Post is a Resolution-specialist family solicitor, accredited mediator and Co-Founder of NE Family Law, a boutique family law firm she founded with Nicki Beale in 2021.

Emma has spent more than 18 years working in family law, specialising in complex children matters, international relocation, high net worth financial remedies and the rights of unmarried couples, as well as mediation and non-court dispute resolution.

Emma launched NE Family Law in 2021.

Emma Post's Links:

Website: https://ne-familylaw.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-post-family-solicitor-divorce-matrimonial/

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

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

Trigger warning: this episode briefly mentions neonatal intensive care, so if it's not the right time for you, please listen to an episode from the archive.

Caroline is expecting baby number three! And there are questions: will you switch off? Will you take "proper" maternity leave? This week, Caroline explains why her mat leave plan is a bit different, and why that's OK.

Upsource, the award winning Virtual Assistant agency, launched six years ago, whilst Caroline was pregnant with baby #2 in lockdown. She designed the business around school runs, mummy days and the times when her kids need her most, rather than for a single year of maternity leave and back to the 9-5. She talks honestly about what she's putting in place this time, from a new fractional COO and new tech to a team who are even more invested. Last mat leave she left a team of 5, now the Upsource team is 40+, there's still a lot to feel nervous about!

More big announcements: After three and a half years and more than 100 episodes, Bump to Business Owner is closing. Caroline explains why, what's next, and why - don't worry! - this isn't the last episode just yet.

Topics

• "I didn't build a business for one year": rethinking maternity leave as a founder

• Why "just switch off" isn't as simple as it sounds

• How Caroline is preparing Upsource to run without her

• The fear of being missed, and the fear of not being missed

• Why being pregnant the third time around feels so different

• Why she's closing the Bump to Business Owner podcast, and what's next

Chapters:

00:00 Why founder maternity leave is not a simple switch-off

02:40 Parenting needs extend beyond the newborn year

05:38 What changed between maternity leaves

07:58 Recruiting, pregnancy, and building leadership capacity

10:39 Preparing Upsource with a fractional COO and new systems

12:30 Trusting the team while facing financial pressure

15:49 Experience, support, and learning to rest

17:45 Letting go of meetings and daily decisions

18:51 Using AI and automation to reduce admin

20:51 What Caroline is letting go of

21:41 Why Bump To Business Owner is closing

24:55 Refocusing on Upsource and the assistant community

27:16 The stories behind the final podcast series

28:53 What comes next on Substack

Links:

Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com

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

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

Substack: https://carolinemarshallupsource.substack.com/

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