Name: Claire Boynton
Age: 33
Children: Jonathan, 10, and Charlie, 2
Job title: Managing director
Company: Generation Publishing
Profit in first year: ?30k
What was the motivating factor for staring your own business?
I used to run a multimedia centre in London, running educational projects for disadvantaged teenagers. It was great work but very emotionally draining, and, once I was pregnant with my son, I knew that it would be very difficult for me to return to work and give both things my best attention.
My much-anticipated son was born in 2005, and my life changed immeasurably. I had really looked forward to my maternity leave, but I developed postnatal depression and found life almost unbearable. I was miles away from my family, my friends still worked, and I struggled to find a way to make sense of my life and feel valuable. I needed a role in life outside being a mum, but had
no idea where to start or what to do.
It was a great shock that being a mum somehow wasn’?t enough. After 18 months, we decided as a family to relocate to East Yorkshire to be near my husband’?s family, in a vain hope that this would solve my problems. I pinned all my hopes on a fresh start.
On the day of the move there was terrible weather ?and it was snowing heavily. I left my husband with the removal company and drove away, car packed to the roof and with two children strapped in the back, to start the five-hour journey. The trip was painfully slow and long, the traffic was terrible. I didn?t want to stop at a service station because the pram was buried under the house moving stuff, and I worried about carrying a heavy child in the dark, so we carried on.
That was probably the worst decision I could have made.
After four hours, just outside Doncaster, we had a 70mph crash, and ended up crashing into the central reservation, back end (and the children) stuck out in the fast lane of the motorway.
In that moment, I suddenly realised, with huge unnatural clarity, that I would do anything for my sons. It was minutes before the emergency services got there, but it felt like hours, alone in the dark, two hysterical children and cars whistling past at great speed just centimetres away from them. I was lucky to be alive, and so were they.
Thankfully, aside from a few cuts and bruises, whiplash and a bit of shock, we had all had a lucky escape. But I?’d had a huge revelation.
The weeks that followed were very long, and very dull. We had bought an idyllic cottage in rural east Yorkshire, in our bid to escape to the country. It was winter and without a car, I had nowhere to go and no way of getting there. A lot of cleaning and a lot of self reflection followed.
A germ of an idea started. I couldn?’t be the only person in this situation. You hear all the time that women are having children later in their lives, and a significant percentage of those will be living away from their families and support networks, surely? I also tried to find information about things to do locally ?- not just toddler groups, but family friendly restaurants, great parks, football clubs for my nine-year-old, that sort of thing. Short of ploughing through the Yellow Pages, there wasn’?t one place I
could find this information?
So, I resolved to fill this gap in the market. In July 2007, I published the very first edition of Generation One magazine ? a magazine for families across East Yorkshire and Hull. Last week, we launched Generation One online, which will list local places to visit and have forums so that local parents can socialise and get over that horrible feeling of isolation.
What are the best bits about working again?
I feel in control of my life. Getting through my job list gives me a real sense of satisfaction. More than that, I get to speak to great, interesting people who treat me like an adult. It’s not that I don’t love spending time with my children, it’s just that I am a happier person if I can balance that with the challenge of work. And if I’m happier, my children are happier.
Running a business can be a mixed bag sometimes. What have been you highs and lows so far?
The highs are amazing. Looking back and thinking “I had an idea, and look what I’ve done with it” is great. It’s a tremendous feeling to realise that you don’t have to ask anyone’s permission anymore. I really love the creative side – photoshoots, writing articles, editing, it’s all great fun and really engaging. I often feel overwhelmed by the lovely emails we receive from families – to know that you’re making a difference to someone else’s life, no matter how small, is a very humbling experience.
There have been lows, there’s no denying that. Investing your personal money into a risky project also takes a steely nerve – usually I am very cautious with money. When you invest into a business, or stocks and shares, for example, you make a careful decision but ultimately focus on all the positives. When you invest in yourself, you are very familiar with all your weaknesses. It takes a strong nerve to take the plunge, no matter how much faith you have in your idea. Sometimes I am not sure whether I’ve done something really stupid by starting my own business, or something brilliant. It’s a real leap of faith.
How have you managed to stay on top of your career with the demands of motherhood?
Working flexibly is demanding. Charlie is in nursery three days per week, so I have to work very hard during those three days. I often work evenings when he is in bed, and at weekends when my husband can take over. As a family, we’ve all had to compromise, and everyone has had a role to play in their own way.
Weekends are family time – my husband and I try to go out for breakfast on a Saturday for a couple of hours and catch up. We try to visit our in-laws and phone my Mum, too, and often take the kids to soft play or go out for Sunday lunch. We really enjoy this time together. We have to be strict with ourselves and not talk about work!
The downside is that I am literally on the go from 7am to 9pm every day of the week. I love it, but it takes its toll. Finding some time to relax is my new challenge!
What has been the high point along the way?
Turning over the first ?10k. I am still hugely proud of that.
What is your worst experience along the way?
I’ve been lucky – except the long hours and self doubt – nothing has been that bad.
Any tips for expectant mums, or mothers who feel that you can’t have a successful career and a happy family life at the same time?
Your children look to you for their emotional framework. If you are unhappy, frustrated and resentful then they will wonder what they are doing wrong, and will inwardly wonder if it is something they’ve done. They will also think that parenthood is only about self-sacrifice. Being a role model for your child is hugely important – and that includes modelling your feelings. If you are happy, they will be happy, and you’ll be teaching them how to be happy themselves.
Also, Mums are human. We tend to think that unless we’re giving 100% to our kids, husbands and homes, that we’re not doing our best, but this is far from the case.