Minding your own business

The PR people at Shiny Red have got in touch, to promote the Prowess Business Mum of the Year Awards for 2008, in particular the category of "Inspirational Business Mum of the Year", which is sponsored by Yell.com.

Yell.com has commissioned a study to mark its sponsorship of the award and an encouraging message that has come through is that 92% of business owning mums believe that having children improves work skills. At last, some official recognition for all the juggling that women have to do, involving planning ahead, multi-tasking, having a can-do attitude as well as being efficient in the process.

Interestingly, the study reveals that once mums have taken the big leap to set up their own business, "they perform a remarkable 18 different job roles - from cook right through to accountant - during any average week. In monetary terms, respondents estimate that they would have to pay an annual salary just shy of £50,000 for someone else to undertake these tasks".

Now that would have been a lovely figure to have sent to the Inland Revenue this week, instead of the real earnings that were submitted in my tax return.

There are lots more facts and figures on the Business Mums website, so if you are thinking about launching your own business and want some inspiration, take a look at their site where there are some great hints and tips. You might even want to nominate someone or yourself. For more information hop along go to http://bizmums.co.uk/ or www.prowess.org.uk.

Of course, if you are inspired to set up your own business and you live in or near Bury St Edmunds, give Menta a call, our local enterprise agency where professionals are on hand to help you on your way with their fantastic WoMenta programme.

I'm off on my travels now, so won't be able to respond immediately to comments. However, I will try and test out my new phone and add some posts while I'm away.