S5 E17: Matrescence, healing and purpose with Danielle Lauren, The Way Too Honest Mom
Release Date: 05/29/2025
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_outlineThis 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:
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The identity shift of matrescence and why it’s so misunderstood
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Danielle’s experience with perinatal mental health crisis and life-saving support in Australia
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The mismatch between external “success” and internal struggle
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Launching Way Too Honest: affirmation cards for new mums that blend compassion and humour
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The loneliness of entrepreneurship, finding support, and redefining productivity
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Letting go of guilt, embracing slow growth, and learning to rest
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Why honesty in motherhood isn't just cathartic, it can save lives
Resources:
Maternal Mental Health Alliance: https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/
The Room Where It Happens: https://theroomwhereithappens.co.uk/
Chapters:
01:00 Introduction to Danielle Lauren and Her Journey
03:41 From Media to Motherhood: A Career Transition
06:28 The Reality of Motherhood: Expectations vs. Reality
09:09 Identity Shift: The Transformation of Becoming a Mother
11:57 Navigating Mental Health in Motherhood
14:57 The Importance of Compassion and Sisterhood Among Mothers
23:01 The Hidden Struggles of Motherhood
28:29 Anxiety and the Reality of Pregnancy
31:47 The Impact of Mental Health on Motherhood
37:36 Launching Way Too Honest: A New Venture
41:45 Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship
46:05 Understanding Maternal Mental Health
48:39 The Journey of Recovery
51:21 Innovative Ideas in Motherhood Support
55:01 Asking for Help: A Crucial Step
59:38 Rediscovering Joy in Everyday Life
Links:
Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
About Danielle Lauren
Danielle Lauren is an accomplished creative force and now founder of a beautiful business that brings light and truth to one of the most misunderstood chapters of motherhood. Danielle Lauren is the founder and CEO of Way Too Honest, a brand that creates affirmation and support cards for new mums navigating the fourth trimester, also known as matrescence. Backed by endorsements from Katherine Ryan, Lucy Jones, Zoe Blaskey and Dr. Ellie Cannon, and for every box sold, a donation goes to the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, helping to drive meaningful change in perinatal mental health.
Prior to launching her business, Danielle was a powerhouse in the media and tech industries, working as VP of Story for Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine, Innovation Ambassador at Warner Media, and Head of Content Strategy at CNN. She's spoken at global events from Harvard to TEDx with a deep focus on AI, Web3, and the future of storytelling. But as we'll hear today, it was Danielle's own journey through a devastating postpartum period and identity shift that fueled her desire to create her business.
Danielle Lauren’s Links:
Website: https://www.waytoohonest.co/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@waytoohonestmom
Instagram (Way Too Honest Mom): https://www.instagram.com/waytoohonestmom/
Instagram (Way Too Honest): https://www.instagram.com/waytoohonest.co/
Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/