Trying to combine having babies with growing a business has traditionally been regarded as an overly challenging idea that puts female founders at a big disadvantage to men.
Even my father, an entrepreneur himself, assumed I would quit work when I had my first child.
But for me it has been a hugely positive experience and delivered an extraordinary benefit to the business. That’s because when I was on maternity leave it allowed other people in the team to step up and grow into the space I left behind, far quicker and with greater freedom than they would otherwise have been able to.
Yes, it was scary to leave my business in the hands of a junior team while I was away for a few months. But they more than rose to the challenge and in the process amazed and impressed not only me, but also themselves. That has delivered considerable benefits to the business and set it up brilliantly for future growth.