More working mums

More working mums

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DanceFit Dance Academy girls, Amber Williamson, Kelly Williamson, Aimee Bassett, Skye McLean, Mackenzie Graham and Hayley Malasits. Photograph - Lauren Calvin.

Inspired by recent data from the Australian Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Byford mother of three Lauren Myburg started her own business three weeks ago and is already experiencing success.

Ms Myburg’s inspiration o start her own business came about after she found out there were more than 700,000 mum-owned businesses operating.

She opened the Braid Bar Perth from home and said she has been pleasantly surprised by its success.

“I never thought it would be as popular as it is and that I could work from home,” she said.

The self-taught braid artist said she was booked out daily thanks to dance girls, balls, weddings and cornrow maintenance.

Ms Myburg said Perth’s outer suburbs were becoming Mumtrepreneur hotspots as mothers successfully juggled raising children with raising a business often in their homes.

“Childcare costs and the unequal ability for many women to financially support a family compared to their spouses can mean many mums don’t pursue their career passions,” she said.

“But I have found a niche market in the community that I have the skills for and I encourage other mums with talents or ideas to give working from home a go.”

Mother and DanceFit Dance Academy owner Megan French started with a small Kelmscott dance studio in 2011 and now runs two successful studios in Byford and Kelmscott with hundreds of students enrolling each year.

Ms French whose students get braided at the Braid Bar Perth said supporting other mumtrepreneurs felt good and was important for the community.

Byford mum and personal trainer Olivia Hampton decided to give business ownership a go after returning to work from maternity leave with a pay-cut and high childcare costs left her out of pocket.

Ms Hampton said she could now work her own hours and even bring her son to her Project You Fitness bootcamps.

“My advice to mums wanting to start their own business would be to find something you love,” she said.

“I think it’s important to be passionate about your own business.”