The MOB: Empowering Mums to Challenge the Motherhood Penalty and Build Financial Fitness
Motherhood changes everything. From sleepless nights to school runs, it’s a constant balancing act. But what we don’t talk about enough is how much it affects our careers, finances, and long-term security.
Honestly, this wasn’t something I thought about before having kids. I grew up dreaming big, working hard in school and university, and wanting a successful career. But when my son was born with a rare genetic condition, my world changed overnight. His needs meant that going back to a full-time job wasn’t an option. This isn’t just my story—it’s one many mums (not just mums with children who have special educational needs (“SEN”)) experience. It’s called the motherhood penalty, and it refers to the pay, career progression, and opportunities gaps that mums face compared to their childless peers.
Research from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that in 2021, the motherhood penalty accounted for 60% of the gender pay gap across Europe. In Northern and Western Europe, it rises to 75%.
The motherhood penalty is not just about earning less—it’s about how career breaks, part-time work, and caregiving create long-term disadvantages. For every step a mum takes to prioritise her family, she often has to take two steps back professionally.
This reality is why I co-founded The MOB (Mums Who Build) with fellow Walthamstow mum, Bex Coxshall. The MOB is more than a community—it’s a movement to help mums take back control of their lives through financial education, connection, and wellbeing. We can’t (easily!) erase the motherhood penalty, but we’re helping reduce its impact by giving mums the tools they need to build financially secure futures.
This is my story, and it’s why The MOB means so much to me.
From Corporate Careers to Empowering Mums
Before becoming a mum, I loved my job in marketing at Burberry. Bex, my co-founder, was thriving in commercial finance, working with big brands like Apple and Red Bull. But motherhood has a way of changing your plans in ways you don’t expect.
When my son was born with Russell-Silver Syndrome and later diagnosed as autistic, his care needs became my top priority. I had to step back from full-time work. During this time, I was lucky to work (very) flexibly for my parents’ business, helping with events and social media. They understood the level of flexibility I needed, and their support helped me get through a difficult mental time.
In January last year, with my second son in nursery, I decided to explore returning to work. My parents were planning to sell their business, but with my family commitments, taking over wasn’t an option. I started looking at job ads, but they made me feel out of my depth—like the working world had moved on without me. Imposter syndrome didn’t help.
Then I met Bex at a 1st birthday party. She had started her own consultancy while juggling motherhood and shared her dream of creating a space for mums to connect—through inspiring conversations, skill swap events, and support. Her idea felt like a lightbulb moment. Together, we created The MOB.
Why Financial Fitness, Wellbeing and Connection matter
At The MOB, we focus on three pillars: financial fitness, wellbeing, and connection —the key ingredients we believe are vital for mums, like us, to thrive and build the life and future we each want in motherhood.
- Financial Fitness: Financial security is built over time. Like physical fitness, it’s about forming habits that create long-term stability.
- Wellbeing: Mums often put themselves last, but you can’t pour from an empty cup. That’s why we offer online and in-person opportunities to support mental and physical health so that mums have the headspace to build the future’s they want.
- Connection: Meeting other mums and building a support network opens doors to opportunities you might not imagine. From business collaborations to friendships, connection is the key to growth. At The MOB, we host regular events for mums to learn, share expertise, support one another, and achieve their business and personal goals.
Building Financial Fitness for Mums
When Bex and I started The MOB, we knew financial education had to be a priority. Giving mums the tools, knowledge, and confidence to take steps toward financial independence is key to creating secure futures.
That’s why we developed the Financial Security Building Toolkit—a resource to help mums build healthy money habits, understand their finances, plan for the future, and take actionable steps toward financial independence.
Earlier this year, we trialled the toolkit with The MOB community, and the feedback has been fantastic. It gave great insight into what mums need to feel financially empowered.
Bex is currently on maternity leave, but when she’s back, we’ll dive into the next phase of development. We’re so excited about what this toolkit can do for mums.
But The MOB isn’t just about money. Our weekly hangouts, expert-led sessions, and skill-sharing events create a space where mums can grow their businesses and careers, learn, feel supported and have fun. Motherhood unites us like nothing else – we get it.
A Community for Every Mum
It’s free to join The MOB – and there’s free content for mums to explore across Wellbeing, Connection and Financial Fitness. It was important to us from the outset that there were no financial barriers to mums taking initial steps to build the life they want in motherhood.
It is also a community that is open to all mums, no matter where you are in your journey. Whether you’re restarting your career, building a business, or simply looking for support, we’re here for you.
In September, we partnered with Location Location to launch a new MOB community in Stoke Newington. Since then, we have hosted two amazing workshops requested by the mums in our community: ‘managing imposter syndrome’ and ‘goal-setting for 2025’.
We’re excited to continue this partnership and expand next year, beyond East London, bringing even more Mobster Mums together.
Empowering Mums: Our Partnership with Investing in Women
One of the best things about building The MOB is the exciting connections we are creating. Our monthly partnership with Investing in Women and its founder, Elizabeth Willetts, is a really great example of that. Elizabeth is an inspiring mum who’s built a successful business helping women find flexible jobs that work for them. Our Instagram Live chats are a favourite event of mine. They give us the chance to connect with our communities, share advice, and inspire mums to take control of their careers.
This partnership is such a natural fit—two communities working together to help mums thrive.
Why Mums Need to Take Control of Their Financial Future
The motherhood penalty and gender pay gap don’t have to define us. With the right support and resources, mums can regain their confidence, take back their power, and create the futures they want. Financial independence transforms not just a mum’s life but her family’s, too.
At The MOB, we’re here to help as many mums as possible achieve that transformation. If you would like to learn more and support our cause as an ambassador, please email us at: mobster@mumswhobuild.com; or if you’re ready to take control of your finances, rebuild your confidence, and join a supportive community, become part of The MOB today – it’s free to be a Mobster!.
Together, we can build the future we deserve.
