Lorraine Issott
Lorraine Issott is no stranger to the challenges of balancing motherhood with running a successful business. As the founder of Your Business Better, a company that provides high-level virtual business support solutions, Lorraine helps small business owners manage the overwhelming tasks of running their businesses. From administrative and marketing tasks to project management and strategy, Lorraine's goal is to allow business owners to focus on what they do best, while she takes care of the rest.
Lorraine's journey into entrepreneurship began long before Your Business Better was launched in 2020. For 17 years, she successfully ran Wild Orchid, a business that, although no longer operational, laid the foundation for her current venture. Now, as a solo entrepreneur, she expertly manages her business while also being a dedicated mother to her two children: a 20-year-old daughter and a 15-year-old son.
In this interview, Lorraine shares her insights on how she navigated the dual roles of mother and business owner in those early years, the evolution of her entrepreneurial journey, and her advice for other parents looking to start their own businesses. An inspiring story of resilience, adaptability, and success.
Interview Questions
Can you share your journey of entrepreneurship from the time you decided to start your business to where you are now, considering the significant milestones of trying to conceive, pregnancy, and post-partum?
Having worked in advertising and PR right after school, I was also training in floristry as a side hustle. In 2003, I was made redundant and saw an opportunity when a friend had a shop for rent. I quickly opened a flower shop. By 2013, my business had grown significantly, so I moved to a larger shop and focused on the luxury wedding market. In 2015, I transitioned from a shop to a studio to concentrate on weddings and events, becoming a trained wedding planner with UKAWP. However, by 2019, I reached burnout and closed the business. In 2020, during the pandemic, I reinvented myself as a Virtual Assistant (VA) and later became a certified Online Business Manager (OBM), supporting small businesses in running more efficiently.
What were the unique challenges you faced as a female entrepreneur while going through the process of trying to conceive, pregnancy, and post-partum? How did you navigate these challenges?
I didn't face challenges conceiving; my first pregnancy was unplanned. Just three months after opening my shop, I found out I was pregnant. With no family or friends to help, I was back in the shop within 24 hours of having my daughter, Georgi, with her in tow. The toughest part was waking up at 4 am, getting the baby ready, and driving down the M1 and M25 to buy fresh flowers at the market. It was extremely challenging, but the fear of losing everything I had just started kept me going. This became our new normal.
How did you manage your business responsibilities while dealing with the physical and emotional aspects of pregnancy and post-partum recovery?
I managed by working very early mornings and consistently late nights. My daughter accompanied me to every wedding set-up due to the lack of childcare. I had staff who helped, but we often just pushed through. My recovery mindset was to keep going, as I had dealt with worse. My husband started a new job around the same time with no paternity leave, so he was back to work just hours after Georgi was born. When my son was born in 2009, I was in a better position and had a childminder for three days a week starting from when he was two weeks old. However, balancing business growth, the children’s activities and my husband’s frequent work trips eventually led to burnout.
Did you experience any changes in your entrepreneurial mindset or approach during pregnancy or after becoming a mother? If so, how did these changes manifest?
My father's passing when I was 13, and my mother's alcoholism, meant that work and business were things I could control and take pride in. I was always focused on breaking through and achieving success, thinking that hard work equals success. However, I realised too late that success is not just about work - it’s about balance and wellbeing, too.
What support systems or resources were most beneficial to you during your journey as an entrepreneur navigating pregnancy and motherhood?
My staff were incredibly helpful. I didn’t really access external resources, but I did build strong relationships with clients. These clients often became friends, and we would discuss the highs and lows of business, which was a form of support for me.
What were some of the biggest obstacles or setbacks you encountered as a female entrepreneur during this period? How did you overcome them?
Finding new corporate clients was difficult without childcare, as I couldn't meet them with a baby in tow. My husband would take a day off each week, and I would schedule as many client meetings as possible on that day. Loneliness was another challenge; being your own boss can be isolating. I often chatted with clients and business associates who felt similarly. The 2008 recession also hit hard, leading to redundancies and cash-flow issues. I got help from the FSB for the redundancy process and my bank for an authorised overdraft.
In hindsight, what additional support or resources do you wish you had access to during your journey through entrepreneurship while being pregnant and a new mother?
I would have loved support from family, but that wasn’t an option. A mentor would have been invaluable to provide different perspectives and help me make better decisions.
How did you balance the demands of entrepreneurship with the needs of your child during their early years? What strategies or techniques proved most effective for you?
My children always came to work with me as it felt like the only option. We were very cautious about whom we left our children with, so trusted childcare was rare. Honestly, it was a blur. We just adapted as best as we could, combining business and family life.
Looking ahead, what advice would you offer to other female entrepreneurs who are either considering starting a family or are already juggling entrepreneurship and motherhood?
Prepare, prepare, prepare. Having a nursery that’s pretty and gorgeous is great, but if you plan on getting back to work quickly, ensure you have the right support around you. Thinking you can do it all on your own is harder than you think.
Here are some key pieces of advice:
Build a Support System: Ensure you have the right support around you, whether it's family, friends, or hired help. Don’t be afraid to ask for and accept help.
Train Your Staff: If you have staff, train them well so you can delegate tasks and take time out to enjoy pregnancy and the new baby. Effective delegation is key to maintaining balance.
Flexible Work Arrangements: Consider working part-time or from home if possible. Flexibility can help you manage both your business and motherhood more effectively.
Communication is Key: Continuously communicate with your partner. Running a business and a family can be stressful, especially when sleep-deprived. Clear communication can help manage expectations and reduce stress.
Don’t Rush Back: Don’t rush back to work full-time and don’t feel guilty when you’re not there. Your biggest job is being a mum and being there for your child. Balance is important, and it’s okay to take the time you need.
Self-Care: Take care of yourself. Your wellbeing is crucial to both your business and your family. Set boundaries and ensure you have time to recharge.
Mentorship: Seek out a mentor or join a network of other entrepreneurial mums. Having someone to talk to who understands your challenges can be incredibly helpful.
Embrace Imperfection: Accept that you can’t do it all perfectly. There will be times when things don’t go as planned, and that’s okay. Adaptability and resilience are vital traits.
Remember, your journey is unique, and it’s important to find what works best for you and your family.