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 MumsClub Name: Antonia
Real Name: Antonia Chitty
Age (or age range): 38
Children’s ages: 6, 3, and one on the way
Business Names:
ACPR - www.acpr.co.uk
PR Basics - www.prbasics.co.uk
Family Friendly Working - www.familyfriendlyworking.co.uk
The Mumpreneur Guide Business website - www.themumpreneurguide.co.uk
Business Contact: Antonia@acpr.co.uk
What are the key features of the products or services that your business offers:
ACPR is a PR agency with a difference. We know you are on a budget, and are happy to help you do your own PR with our advice, contacts and copywriting services, as well as out dedicated DIY PR website, pr basics, which is packed with tools and ideas to help. There are a limited number of slots for eco and baby and child businesses where we can do the PR for your business on your behalf.
Antonia Chitty has created resources to help you if you are looking for a family friendly way to earn money. Family friendly working offers a free e-course to help you get inspired, with hundreds of ideas for flexible work and some initial guidance if you want your own business. The mumpreneur guide is our latest site, with a fab e-course to take you through the basics of starting up your own business.
Why should customers and clients use your services? Antonia set up ACPR with business mums in mind. We offer a flexible and affordable service and will adapt what we offer to suit your needs. Whether you are at the stage of asking “What work can I do that fits with the family?” or have a great business idea and need some help to turn it into a flourishing enterprise, Antonia Chitty can help.
When & how did you start up in business?
I went back to work 4 days a week after my daughter was born. I was pleased to go back to a new and exciting position, but I soon found that I was trying to fit 5 days work into four, and spending my salary on nursery fees. A session with a lifecoach showed me that I could become self employed, and ACPR took off. All the inspiring women I have worked with spurred me on to write books to share my knowledge of business promotion, and experiences of changing the way I work.
How did you decide what business to go into, and what was your motivation?
I started off by helping someone on a parenting forum who needed to get a press release written. Soon, more and more businessmums were asking for help. I was doing work I enjoyed, and could slot it in when my daughter slept. Fortunately as the business grew she was old enough to go to playgroup and then school.
What were the most challenging aspects to setting up? Working out how to fit everything in. I worked a lot of evenings in the early days, but fortunately that happens more rarely now.
What has been your biggest business achievement?
Getting my books published, and contributing a good amount to the family income every month.
Have, or do you do anything out of the ordinary to benefit your business?
I’m slightly obsessed! I try never to miss an opportunity to offer advice or mention my services. You’ll find my name popping up all over the internet!
What stage is your business at now & what are your plans for the future?
At the moment the business is doing really well. I have an interesting mix of work, some lovely regular PR clients, and always enough space to help people who need a small one-off job. I have new book ideas and projects bubbling away, and just juggle to find the time to do them all!
How do you manage to juggle your business with family life? Has it been challenging?
It gets easier every year: the children get older and I get more used to doing what I do.
Has online networking, specifically with other mums, benefited your business?
Absolutely: I wouldn’t have a business without the internet. It has put me in touch with so many brilliant and inspiring women, some of whom have gone on to become clients, others who have become close and long term friends.
What resources do you NOT have now that might make your life easier?
Extra hours in the day, the ability to cope without sleep!
What advice would you give another mum considering starting her own business?
Plan it well, do your research then go for it. You’ll need to put the hours in but it is totally worth it in the end.
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