If you tuned into the Flex in 5 live on Instagram a few weeks ago, you’ll remember Louise Deverell-Smith who is the Founder of Daisy Chain - a platform that matches and connects parents with flexible employers. We really enjoyed chatting to her and wanted to get to know her a little better…
We started with a quick fire round of fun questions for Louise because if we’re honest, all tips and hacks from fellow mums are priceless!
1. What are your handbag essentials?
“Money, Keys, Phone & Elizabeth Arden Eight hour cream, oh and Mac Lipstick Half 'n Half”.
2. What is your WoMo guilty pleasure?
“Spending a peaceful 1hr, straight after drop off, in TK Maxx with none of my children!”
3. Name of product you bought for your baby that you needn’t have or was a waste of money?
‘Shoes, before they could even stand’. We at WoMo HQ completely agree on this. Is putting Converse on a 4 month old really a thing? ;-)
For Louise, being a WoMo makes her feel like a positive role model for her children and also allows her to try and balance home and work life as best as she can. When she first went back to work after maternity leave, It was the feeling of guilt that she found the challenging part but thanks for a great nanny, Louise felt a lot more at ease. Her nanny then went onto became her right hand person for almost 10 years! If you ask her children now what she does for a living, they will respond with a very accurate ‘ she helps people get jobs’. she offered some brilliant words of wisdom to other mums who may be having a wobble;
'“Don't compare yourself with anyone else, and don't compare your children to other children either. We are all so different and we should embrace that. Also, we are all winging it!”
Being a working mother has taught Louise that she is a lot stronger than she thought she was. It’s challenging at times, but worth it. Her advice for future generations would be to create your own ‘tribes’ - that might be family, friends, school gate mates. It’s your tribe that will help you through the challenging times and celebrate your wins.
Thank you Louise, that was fun!
IG: _thedaisychain_
Website: Daisy Chain