Erin Thomas Wong (Life-Friendly Business): Helping female solopreneurs create success on their terms

Success on the South Coast

Success on the South Coast is all about showcasing interesting people doing amazing things in the local community.

My guest for episode #7 is Erin Thomas Wong, the ‘Life Friendly Business Mentor’, who helps women build successful businesses without sacrificing time with their families, or their wellbeing.

Erin is also an International Speaker, the author of 'Mumpreneur Evolution', the host of The Life-Friendly Business Podcast and she was recently recognised as a Top 100 #iAlso UK Female Founder.

Erin has helped 1000s of women build successful businesses, but many of the issues and lessons we discuss are universal…

I joked that I might not be her normal target audience, but I learned so much about the unspoken truths of motherhood, the ‘invisible load’ that many women carry and ‘matrescence’… I’d urge all of you guys out there to stay tuned in!

- - - KEY TOPICS OF THE CONVERSATION - - -

In this episode we discuss:

• Erin’s career in TV & how having children led her to carve a different path as an entrepreneur
• The Rose Review (an independent review of female entrepreneurship in the UK) and the key challenges to female entrepreneurs
• The 7 key principles of a ‘Life-Friendly Business’
• Erin’s thoughts on the meaning of true Happiness (having a sense of purpose & the pleasures of a good cup of coffee)
• Erin view of Success (the ‘freedom’ to focus on things that she love’s and flexibility)
• Life by Misadventure - how ex pat life taught Erin that home (now Bournemouth) is where the heart is

- - - CHAPTERS - - -

0:00:00 - Intro ("A sunny new podcast...")
0:00:26 - Guest Intro
00:01:47 - Welcome…
00:02:27 - Backstory & work in TV
00:03:57 - The catalyst for starting a new business…
00:04:56 - Erin's view of Success in her mid-20's
00:06:40 - Erin's first business & Ealing Mum's in Business
00:08:47 - Adventures in Abu Dhabi & move to Bournemouth
00:09:59 - Best things about life in Bournemouth
00:11:35 - What is a 'Life-Friendly Business'?
00:13:24 - The Rose Review
00:15:27 - The 5 key challenges facing female entrepreneurs
00:16:31 - Building a business as a solopreneur
00:17:57 - Dealing with imposter syndrome
00:20:42 - Imperfect action beats perfect inaction
00:21:27 - Importance of putting your face out there!
00:23:42 - The Invisible Load
00:26:17 - The challenges of being a Mumpreneur
00:27:33 - The Identity Shift
00:28:42 - Matrescence, the process of becoming a Mother
00:31:27 - Lack of relatable mentors & support networks
00:32:27 - Juggling business with being a Mum
00:36:32 - The 2023 Rose Review: progress of young entrepreneurs…
00:38:42 - The 7 Principles of Life-Friendly Business
00:39:08 - (1) Flexibility
00:40:19 - (2) Doing something that energises & inspires
00:42:17 - (3) Supports the Income you need/desire
00:42:27 - Defining your own vision of success
00:44:11 - Ensuring your business model is viable
00:46:21 - (4) Running your business 'on your own terms'
00:46:52 - Importance of setting boundaries
00:52:52 - (5) Be the best boss you can be to yourself
00:55:52 - Importance of buffer time
00:57:02 - (6) Strategically relies on support
00:59:02 - (7) Be super time savvy
00:59:57 - CEO time & making time for strategy
01:02:04 - The benefits of a mentor…
01:03:53 - Consultant vs Coach vs Mentor
01:05:27 - Erin's book 'Mumpreneur Evolution'
01:07:42 - Community & events in Bournemouth
01:10:21 - The type of client's Erin works with…
01:12:26 - What is happiness?
01:15:41 - What is success?
01:19:02 - Skills for Success - be the best version of you!
01:23:17 - Life by Misadventure -
01:25:52 - Thank you, guest links & wrap-up

GUEST Links:
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinthomaswong
• Website: https://www.lifefriendlybusiness.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifefriendlybiz

THE LIFE-FRIENDLY BUSINESS Podcast Episodes:

• Ep 63 - The Unspoken Truth About Motherhood
https://www.lifefriendlybusiness.com/podcasts/life-friendly-business-podcast/episodes/2148681394

• Ep 67 - The Invisible Load
https://www.lifefriendlybusiness.com/podcasts/life-friendly-business-podcast/episodes/2148722170

SUCCESS ON THE SOUTH COAST Links:

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• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/success-on-the-south-coast/id1760075408
• YouTube Music/Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCOvHz8DkSa5PSX5yKCMCmHffqzMjYz-K

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#lifefriendlybusiness
#fentrepreneur
#invisibleload
#rosereview
#Matrescence
#mumpreneur
#MumpreneurEvolution
#mumsinbusiness
#iAlso100