For Claire Gleave, running was a way of getting some headspace, away from being a full time mum. It also gave her a business idea: activewear for pregnancy and beyond. Having taken voluntary redundancy after her second mat leave, Claire was focused on her family. I think we can all relate to her feeling of ‘being sold a lie’ when it comes to working and raising a family and ‘having it all’. But when her second was preparing to start school, Claire decided it was the right time to work on her business, Natal Active. We spoke about some great and practical details of launching a business: how Claire financed hers without investment rounds; how a partnership with a household name isn’t necessarily a great model for an independent business, PR and celebrity endorsements and charity partnerships. But we also spoke about the more emotional side of business, the pressure we can feel as founders to be a huge success, even when that’s not necessarily the right thing for us and our families, and how Claire has created a business that suits her and what she wants from her lifestyle. We finish with 3 tips for starting a clothing brand, so if that’s you right now, make sure you stay to the end. Listen in for: Claire’s career pre-babies and why she took voluntary redundancy after her second mat leave Being a full time mum. Choice is a privilege  Keeping something for yourself as a mum We’ve been sold a lie  The idea for Natal Active and the right time for it Making a lot of mistakes and wasting a lot of money on the way! How Claire financed Natal Active The Covid effect  Her John Lewis partnership and whether it’s the right model for a small business PR and celebrity leverage How Claire makes her business work for her, structure, in-house v outsourcing Being a lifestyle business Charity partnerships 3 tips for starting a clothing brand Resources Dept of International Trade: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-international-trade Shopify Capital: https://www.shopify.com/lending/capital Kickscount: www.kickscount.org.uk CoppaFeel!: https://coppafeel.org/ Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/   About Claire Gleave Claire Gleave, Founder of Natal Active and boy mum of three! After three pregnancies wearing her husband's t-shirts on runs, and then breastfeeding three babies while trying to wrestle her boobs out of uncomfortable sports bras, Claire had had enough.  She was sick of looking a mess and being uncomfortable, and on realising she couldn’t be the only mum out there feeling the same, the Natal Active range became baby number 4… Launching an activewear brand for pre and postnatal mums in the middle of the pandemic, while home-schooling her three boys, was not part of the business plan Claire had embarked on when she realised her dreams in 2020.  From winning awards, being stocked in some major retailers like John Lewis, to being the celebrity (and even royal!) mum's workout gear of choice and achieving the huge milestone of 25000 sales earlier this year   Claire Gleave’s Links: Website: https://www.natalactive.com/ Instagram (Natal Active): https://www.instagram.com/natalactive/ Instagram (Claire): https://www.instagram.com/claire_natalactive/ LinkedIn (Natal Active): https://www.linkedin.com/company/natal-active/ LinkedIn (Claire): https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairesymonds/  

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