Spotlight on Women in Business

Traditionally women who have been mums have had their careers held back when they became mothers. Although in recent years this has improved, there is still a dilemma for many mothers on how to balance work and family. Mumtrepreneurs is great article in the Sun newspaper though, which feature Kirsten Dudley of Postal Supplies who with husband Andrew look after their family of six but set up Postal Supplies selling packaging to eBay sellers. Kirsten now runs a multi-national business yet still has time to care for her six children. Also in the article Lisa MacKenzie who started out selling her baby's clothes as he grew out of them says she "would thoroughly recommend eBay as a way for at-home parents to pay off bills" although that's an understatement for what she's achieved.

It's great to see these successful women proving there doesn't have to be a choice between family and a successful career, and it's going on all over the country. Earlier this year I had the pleasure of speaking at the Tycoon Idol 2006 award ceremony in conjunction with Take a Break magazine which promoted women in business and gave them the opportunity to receive help and mentoring as they set up their own businesses.


Chris Dawson Speaking at Tycoon Idol, Oxford July 2006.
Event produced by Business Boffins and Communities in Business. Photography by Mazz Image.
eBay of course is an ideal vehicle for setting up a sales business due to the low start up costs and the ability to reach a nationwide or indeed worldwide audience from day one. However to make a success doesn't come easy for those with no previous business experience but help and support is close at hand with eBay University, eBay educational specialists, the help forums and projects such as Tycoon Idol and the organisations that support it.