Anna Smith’s Transition from Hairdressing to Recruitment
Are you a mum with entrepreneurial dreams? In this inspiring episode of Work It Like a Mum, we’re joined by the remarkable Anna Smith, founder of ALS Recruitment and co-founder of Middle Group. Anna is a beacon of inspiration as she navigates the world of running two thriving businesses, all while being a mum to three little ones.
Anna opens up about the realities of juggling self-employment and motherhood, especially the complexities of maternity leave. With honesty and humility, she shares that while the work-family balance can be a tricky dance, having limited time can actually sharpen your productivity. Crucial to her journey are her partner’s support and the need to set firm boundaries to maintain a wholesome work-life balance.
Anna’s past life as a hairdresser endowed her with invaluable relationship-building and client retention skills, which she seamlessly transferred to her recruitment business. She drives home the point that it’s not just okay but essential for busy working mums to prioritise self-care and carve out moments of peace.
At the heart of our conversation, we delve into the shifting attitudes towards flexible working and the crucial role male allies play in championing gender equality in the workplace. Anna is an unyielding advocate for women pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams, firmly asserting that no one should tell a woman what she can or can’t achieve.
For all you mums nurturing entrepreneurial aspirations, Anna’s story stands as solid evidence that you can succeed in your professional pursuits without compromising your family life. So, don your dream-chaser hat, create a life that beautifully aligns with you and your family’s needs, and remember, you’re absolutely capable of crafting your own success story.
Timestamps:
Introduction [00:00:00] Elizabeth Willetts introduces herself and the podcast Work It Like a Mom.
Sponsorship by Taylor and Francis [00:01:12] An unnamed sponsor promotes job opportunities at Taylor and Francis.
Anna Smith’s Career Journey [00:02:09] Anna Smith discusses her career journey, which includes leaving hairdressing, entering recruitment, and starting her own business.
Starting a Recruitment Business [00:08:15] Anna Smith discusses her decision to start a recruitment business and her experience building relationships from her hairdressing days.
Balancing Work and Motherhood [00:09:24] Anna Smith talks about her experience balancing work and motherhood, including starting her business as a lifestyle business and the challenges of working from home.
Meeting Sarah and Starting Middle Group [00:14:09] Anna Smith discusses meeting Sarah and starting Middle Group, a business they founded together, and how it differs from ALS Recruitment.
Setting up a recruitment business [00:15:20] Anna Smith discusses how she and her business partner set up a recruitment business to offer other consultants the opportunity to run their own business with their support.
Balancing two businesses [00:16:25] Anna Smith talks about how she and her business partner balance running two successful businesses with raising their families.
Remote work and office work [00:20:53] Anna Smith discusses the shift in the candidate market towards wanting the option of going into an office, but also the benefits of remote work for both employers and employees.
Working from home distractions [00:22:52] Anna and Elizabeth discuss the distractions of working from home, including thinking about lunch and the proximity of the kitchen.
Managing mom guilt [00:23:53] Anna talks about the guilt she feels as a working mom and how she manages it, including putting her children in full-time childcare.
Men and flexible work [00:29:00] Anna and the unnamed speaker discuss the growing number of men seeking flexible work arrangements to be more involved in their families, and the importance of this for gender equality in the workplace.
Gender Bias in Recruitment [00:29:35] Anna Smith shares her experience of gender bias in recruitment and how she was told not to hire a woman in her mid-twenties because she might have a baby.
Job Sharing [00:31:56] Anna Smith talks about how she has successfully filled difficult-to-fill roles by offering part-time job-sharing opportunities.
Advice for Starting a Business [00:35:04] Anna Smith encourages people to go for it and start their own business, as she believes that you create your own life.
Show Links:
Podcast Sponsor: Taylor and Francis
Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn
Investing in Women Flexible Working Job Board and Recruitment Site
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