S5 E4: Equality and ambition for mums with Jelena Skene co-founder of Press Flow
Release Date: 02/06/2025
S5 E21: 5 learnings from 5 years in business - Solo episode with Caroline
Bump to Business Owner
In 5 years I’ve gone from a one woman Virtual Assistant ‘agency’ to a team of 36. And I have learnt A Lot. Much of which I have learnt the hard way. In today’s episode, I’m sharing my 5 biggest learnings (there are so many still to talk about, I feel like I could do a whole season on it!) from the last 5 years. I’ve learnt from mistakes, I’ve learnt from the people around me, some of these lessons I am still learning, and might be a lifelong process. Resources: Nick Elston: Anna Marthur episode: Takeaways Not everything will or needs to be done...
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S5 E20: Poop, pre-seed and policies with Lisa Macfarlane, co-founder of The Gut Stuff
Bump to Business Owner
Be honest - how is your poo? My guest this week is Lisa Macfarlane, co-founder of The Gut Stuff, and she wants you to take better care of your gut. Lisa explains why gut health is so important, some easy wins to improve your own and why she went from Love Island DJ to gut evangelist. We also talk about the nuts and bolts of scaling a business - from building a brand and community as market research for the business, to pre-seed and VC funding, and creating an ecosystem with 3 different business arms. Lisa is passionate about the policies we as business owners need to create to support women...
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S5 E19: Burnout, neurodiversity and rediscovering yourself with Dr Claire Ashley, The Burnout Doctor
Bump to Business Owner
The 5 stages of burnout are very familiar to me. I’ve been there, and even when I thought I had learnt my lessons, narrowly swerved burning out again. As a mum, especially a mum with a business, I’m sure at least a few of the stages are familiar to you too. My guest on this week’s episode is Dr Claire Ashely, aka The Burnout Doctor. Claire was a highly successful doctor, used to pretty extreme levels of stress. And then with 2 small kids, a house renovation and a difficult work environment, she burnt out. Claire is now fully recovered and shares the signs, symptoms and means to recovery...
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S5 E18: Reframing cold sales and my worst experiences - Solo episode with Caroline
Bump to Business Owner
Last year I decided to push myself and try something new for me and my business. As a founder and mum of 2, I don't have time to be out there relationship building rather than selling. So I tried cold sales - and it worked! Cold sales have, sometimes justifiably, a bad rap - I’m sharing my worst experiences from both sides of the sale. But it really worked for me. In this episode I share my conversion rates, my ‘how to’ and the mindset tips that helped me succeed. Resources: LinkedIn: Dripify: Takeaways Coldselling - maybe it’s time to try it The worst thing that...
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S5 E17: Matrescence, healing and purpose with Danielle Lauren, The Way Too Honest Mom
Bump to Business Owner
This week on Bump to Business Owner, I’m joined by Danielle Lauren, creative powerhouse, former media exec, and founder of Way Too Honest, a business born from the depths of postpartum struggle and radical maternal honesty. From working at the top of global media giants like CNN and Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, to battling severe pre- and postnatal depression, Danielle opens up about her experience of motherhood, identity loss, and rebuilding a life and business with purpose. TRIGGER WARNING: Discussion of pre/post natal depression and suicidal thoughts Takeaways: The identity...
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S5 E16: Keeping going when business gets tough - Solo episode with Caroline
Bump to Business Owner
How do you stay motivated to keep going when times get tough in your business? Good question. And an increasingly important one as the economy continues to fluctuate with tariffs, UK legislation and uncertainty creep in. In January I was in a difficult situation with my business, but I got through it and learnt a lot. This week, I’m sharing my tips for keeping going when times are tough in your business. Takeaways The realities of being a working mum Keeping going when times get hard in your business Trumps tariffs are worrying for many founders March 2025 was my best month in...
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S5 E15: Mum guilt, cash crunches and K-drama with Ning Cheah founder of The Beauty Crop
Bump to Business Owner
This week on Bump To Business Owner, I’m joined by Ning Cheah, founder of The Beauty Crop, mum of two, and former banker turned beauty entrepreneur. What started as a side hustle to solve her own skin struggles has grown into a multi-million dollar brand, stocked by the likes of Boots and ASOS. In this honest and wide-ranging chat, Ning shares how burnout led her to rethink everything, the fertility struggles she faced while building a business, and the two very different maternity leaves that followed. She opens up about the realities of scaling, the pressure of cash flow, and why she chose...
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S5 E14: PR tips for small business owners - Solo episode with Caroline
Bump to Business Owner
What is your story? What is your super power? What do you want to be known for? In today's episode of the podcast I'm giving away all my PR tips. In the last 5 years me and my business have been featured in Grazia The Guardian The Independent The Daily Mail Waitrose Magazine To name just a few. And all of that has been under my own steam, no PR experience, no connections. If you're looking for some PR coverage for your business, this is for you Resources Editorelle: Pressflow (FREE): Lightbulb: Rosie Davies-Smith, founder of PR Dispatch episode: Jelena Skene co-founder of Press...
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S5 E13: Radical acts, building confidence and navigating PTSD with Lauren Currie founder of Upfront
Bump to Business Owner
My guest this week is Lauren Currie OBE, mother of one, founder of 6 businesses and PTSD survivor. Lauren is a serial entrepreneur, who after being featured as the only woman on an event bill decided she needed to build something to challenge the lie of meritocracy. Her business, Upfront, was born. As a systems and organisational designer, Lauren is ideally placed to see where the holes are in our society and where we need to work on them, together. The game is rigged, it might just be that our privilege means that motherhood is the first time we really see it. Building a business whilst...
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S5 E12: Why you don’t need more strategy with Nicola Ward, founder of CakeDrop
Bump to Business Owner
What happens when your co-founder (and sister!) steps away and you’re managing a business solo, as well as being mum to 2 kids? In this week’s delicious episode I’m in conversation with Nicola Ward, founder of CakeDrop, who talks me through her experience of exactly that. Nicola has run her business incredibly intuitively and flexibly, focusing on building relationships and leaning into creativity when Covid meant a pivot. She has some incredible advice to other founders thinking about motherhood and the trade offs we as working mums make. My main takeaway? You don’t need more...
info_outlineIf anyone is ever in doubt about mum’s commitment to their careers post babies, please, use this conversation as proof that we are only ever more ambitious and focused.
This week I’m talking to Jelena Skene, co-founder of 2 businesses raised alongside 2 small boys. It’s been a busy few years for Jelena!
My main takeaway from our conversation, and there are many, is: just start. You can’t plan everything around having a family, if you have a business idea, just try it. I also loved her thoughts on what makes a good business idea, and what you actually need to create a successful business.
If you’re looking for advice on how to effectively PR pitch your business, listen to the end, Jelena has some incredible practical tips.
This episode is sponsored by Ancient + Brave (www.ancientandbrave.earth/). If you’d like to try any of their products (I am a big fan of True Collagen!) you can use our discount code BTB20 for 20% off your first order.
Takeaways:
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Jelena’s path from law, to fashion to marketing agency and how planning for a family informed her choice to move into entrepreneurship
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The highs and lows of Covid with a business and a baby
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Jelena’s varied experiences of birth and mat leave in the UK and abroad
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Equality both in earnings and in childcare with Jelena’s partner
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The contrast between an anxious pregnancy and the positive realities of motherhood
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The benefits of city connections for business opportunities
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You don’t need an original idea to start a business, just a gap in the market
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The development of Press Flow alongside their first business and their fundraising plans for 2025
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Community support and especially amongst female founders is invaluable for early-stage business
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How motherhood enhanced Jelena’s focus and ambitions and societal misconceptions about mums
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Jelena’s tips on effective PR pitches
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Jelena's Journey
03:01 Career Shifts and Discovering Passion
06:14 Navigating Parenthood and Career Decisions
09:13 The Impact of COVID on Business
12:01 Building a Business During Lockdown
14:54 Balancing Work and Family Life
18:00 The Experience of Motherhood
21:03 Life in Barcelona and Business Growth
24:09 Returning to the UK and Future Plans
28:19 The Importance of Cities for Connections
30:07 The Journey to Pressflow
34:11 Building Pressflow: A Strategic Approach
39:01 Community and Networking for Founders
42:04 Motherhood and Ambition
46:31 Finding Purpose as a Mother and Entrepreneur
49:05 Tips for Effective PR Pitching
52:08 Finding Personal Joy Amidst Business and Motherhood
Links:
Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
About Jelena Skene
Agency-turned tech founder of Press Flow and mother of two, Jelena has a background in digital marketing for major fashion and lifestyle brands. In March, 2024, Jelena co-founded Press Flow Limited with her husband, a free PR platform that connects experts, PR professionals, and journalists.
Press Flow provides unlimited free pitching, making it an accessible tool for small businesses, personal brands, PR professionals, and experts seeking media exposure. Not their first business, prior to Press Flow, Jelena and her husband ran an agency and together through COVID juggled the demands of new parenthood and founder life for the first time.
Jelena Skene Links:
Website: https://www.pressflow.io/
LinkedIn (Jelena): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jelena-skene-2a3a9b60/
LinkedIn (Press Flow): https://www.linkedin.com/company/pressflow/
Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/