From Stuck to Skilled: Breaking into Tech After a Career Break

Send us a textIn this episode of Work It Like a Mum, we chat with Artemis Cropper to talk about what it’s really like to leave a traditional career path and retrain in tech with Salesforce and the Supermums programme.We chat about how she overcame the uncertainty of a career break, why she chose Salesforce, and how Supermums gave her the structure, support, and skills to make a bold career change.  What We Cover:Why Artemis walked away from her corporate role at AccentureWhat it felt like to take a career break — and how she navigated the emotional impactHow she discovered the Supermums program and why it stood outThe structure of the Supermums training — including real-world experienceWhat working in Salesforce actually involvesThe rise of AI and Salesforce’s Agent Force — what it means for future rolesHow she landed her role at RevQore and what her day-to-day looks likeThe importance of staying curious and never stopping learning Key Takeaways:You don’t have to hide your career break - it can be your launchpad.The Supermums course provides real-world experience - not just theory.Confidence doesn’t come before action - it comes from action.Salesforce is a growing- stable field that spans many industries.You don’t need a tech background to work in tech - just a growth mindset.Career changes aren’t linear -  and that’s OK.💬 Quote to Remember:“You don’t have to hide your career break. Be open about it. Use it. Own it.”If you’re on the fence about retraining or wondering how to re-enter the workforce with confidence — this one’s for you.Show Links:Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts hereConnect with Artemis hereVisit the Supermums website here Support the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

Send us a textIn this bonus episode of Work It Like a Mum, I’m joined by brilliant career coach Kim Holland to help you get clear on your next steps, whether you're job hunting, thinking about a pivot, or simply feeling stuck.Summer break is around the corner  and while the pace of life slows down for many, it can be the perfect time to pause and check in with where you are in your career.This is the first session of our Momentum Masterclass Series, a six-week programme designed to help you keep career growth and job search momentum going throughout the slower-paced summer months.💡 We talk about:Why it’s so easy to lose sight of what you actually wantHow to reconnect with what energises you (and ditch what doesn’t)The importance of knowing your non-negotiablesBuilding a foundation for a career that fits your life right now✨ A few key takeaways:Get clear on what’s pushing you to make a changeFear, low confidence or uncertainty? Totally normalThe biggest mistake: jumping into job boards too soonInstead, start with: → Who you are → What you need → What you can offerWe call this your Professional DNA and it’s the key to spotting the right opportunities (and ignoring the wrong ones).If you’re ready to move forward with more focus, less stress, and a plan that actually fits your life, this one’s for you.Stay motivated. Stay seen. Stay on track.Show Links:Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts hereConnect with Kim hereVisit Kim’s website here  Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.Support the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

Send us a textIn this week’s episode of the Work it like a Mum podcast, we're talking with the dynamic and inspiring Monique de Maio, founder and CMO of On Demand CMO, trailblazing marketer, mentor, black belt in martial arts, and author of 7 Secrets to Creating a Life You Love: A Practical Guide for Women in Leadership.We dive into the unfiltered realities of being a working mum. From setting boundaries and saying no (without guilt) to resisting pressure from others and making intentional choices that align with your goals.What We Cover:Why being asked isn't the same as being personally invited, and how to say no with graceThe hidden envy behind "mum guilt"How to choose the right commitments and stop overextendingBuilding a home ecosystem that supports your ambitionWhy outsourcing isn't indulgent, it's strategicLong-term planning by living below your means and investing in future freedomKey Takeaways:You can have it all,  just not all at the same timeGuilt is often misplaced  and rooted in someone else’s envyBeing intentional about your time, energy, and money is the key to long-term successStop apologising for working; your kids will notice your strength more than cupcakes.Why You Should Listen: If you're a working mom juggling it all, feeling the guilt, and determined to grow your career without burning out, this one’s for you.Show Links:Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts hereConnect with Monique hereVisit the On Demand CMO website here  Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.Support the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

Send us a textThis week, we’re going LIVE with an empowering, honest conversation that every woman considering entrepreneurship needs to hear.We chat with Rebecca Newnham, founder of Get Ahead, about how building your own business can unlock freedom, confidence, and financial independence, without burning out or losing yourself.With 15 years of business experience and a nationwide team behind her, Rebecca brings a wealth of wisdom and warmth to this episode.💬 What We Cover:✨ Why entrepreneurship is life-changing for women ✨ How to know if it's right for you ✨ The practical steps to get started ✨ Real talk about the challenges (and how to overcome them) ✨ Building a business that works around your life🙋‍♀️ Whether You're:🔸 Feeling stuck in your career 🔸 Dreaming of being your own boss 🔸 Looking for more flexibility and control 🔸 Ready to turn your skills into something biggerThis episode will help you get clear, feel confident, and take those first steps, without the overwhelm.💡 Key Takeaways:Start scrappy. You don’t need the perfect logo or website to begin.Freedom is the biggest flex. Being your own boss means designing a work life that actually works for you.Money follows clarity. Know your worth, price your time, and have a plan.Confidence grows in the doing. That first scary networking event? Just the beginning.Support speeds things up. Ask for help. People want to cheer you on.You don’t have to do it all. Outsourcing and community are game-changers.Show Links:Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts hereConnect with Rebecca hereLearn more about Get Ahead here Support the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

Send us a textThis week on Work It Like a Mum, I’m joined by the brilliant Laura Nesbitt—career coach, mum, and expert in helping people figure out what they actually want before jumping into job boards.We dive into the real reasons so many women feel stuck in their careers—and why the answer isn’t always a new job.💡 We talk about:Why updating your CV is the last thing you should doHow to get crystal clear on what lights you up (and what doesn’t)The power of designing your career around your life, not the other way aroundWhat burnout really looks like—and how to stop blaming the wrong thingsLaura’s lightbulb moment that changed everything (and how you can have one too)✨ Key Takeaways:Start with who you are now, not who you were years ago.Your career should fit your life—not fight against it.Feeling stuck? It might be your lifestyle, not your job.Self-awareness is your superpower—use it before you start job hunting.Clarity = confidence = better career decisions.🎧 Tune in now for an honest, uplifting, and practical chat that might just change how you think about work forever.Show Links:Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts hereConnect with Laura here Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.Support the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

Send us a textIn this week’s Work It Like a Mum episode, we chat with Donna Wayman, Chief Operating Officer at Zurich Insurance. Donna is an award-winning leader with over 15 years of experience delivering strategic change in the financial services sector.She also works part-time in a senior, global role, which you don't hear about daily. Donna shares her personal journey, her views on flexibility in leadership, and how Zurich is leading the charge on inclusive hiring practices.What We Cover:Donna’s career journey from a Drama & English degree to COO at ZurichHow Zurich became the first UK company to advertise all jobs as open to part-time and flexible workingThe cultural shift this created and the fourfold increase in women applying for rolesWhat it looks like to work part-time in a C-suite position and how she sets boundariesThe role of male allies in normalising flexible work across gendersWhy protecting your non-working days is vital for work-life balance and self-worthDonna’s role as a trustee for Aching Arms, a baby loss charityKey Takeaways:Flexibility fuels talent: When roles are openly advertised as flexible, the candidate pool becomes more diverse and inclusive.Leadership isn’t about hours: Senior impact doesn’t require full-time availability—it requires clarity, focus, and trust.Set and protect boundaries: Donna shares how protecting her non-working days helps manage mum guilt and improve her effectiveness.Support from the top matters: Zurich’s executive team actively champions DE&I and flexible work, enabling real cultural change.Men need flexibility too: Working flexibly accelerates equality and shifts workplace norms for everyone.Show Links:Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts hereConnect with Donna hereVisit Zurich’s website here🎧 Tune in for a refreshing, honest, and inspiring conversation that will leave you rethinking what’s possible in your career, whether you're a parent, a leader, or just passionate about inclusive workplaces.Support the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

Send us a textIn this week’s Work It Like a Mum episode, I’m joined by my friend and mentor, Sam Earnshaw, who shares her powerful story of going from stay-at-home mum to building a thriving career with Utility Warehouse (UW).Sam’s journey is full of grit, growth, and grace from navigating early motherhood and relationship breakdowns to finally finding a work-life balance that fits her and her family. Whether you’re craving more flexibility, thinking about earning extra income, or love a story of perseverance and purpose, this one’s for you.What We Cover:Navigating early motherhood while finishing universityMaking ends meet through creative at-home workThe realities of traditional 9–5 life vs. working for yourself Feeling like an outsider in traditional work environmentsThe reality of role reversals, co-parenting, and solo motherhoodFinding flexibility, purpose, and success with UWHow she now supports others in building income around family lifeKey Takeaways:You’re not behind. Starting over at any age is possible and powerful.Traditional work isn’t for everyone. It doesn’t mean you’re not meant for success if you don't fit the mould.Flexibility is key. You can earn well without sacrificing family time.Community matters. Finding people who "get it" can change everything.Parenting roles evolve. You can rewrite the rules and do what’s best for your kids.You don’t need all the answers to begin. Just take the next step.This episode is full of real talk about the juggle, resilience, and what it takes to rebuild your life and career on your own terms. Whether you're exploring new income streams, curious about UW, or love a good comeback story — this one’s for you. Show Links:Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts hereConnect with Sam hereLearn more about joining Utility Warehouse here Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.Support the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

Send us a textThis week, I’m joined by Paula Stillman, Head of HR at Oxera — one of our favourite clients and long-time supporters of flexible and part-time working. Paula shares her career journey from retail to HR, how she found her calling in people and culture, and why she's so passionate about making the workplace more inclusive and adaptable for working parents.🗂️ What We Cover:Paula’s unconventional path from pharmacy retail to HR leadershipThe emotional toll and growth from managing challenging people situationsHow she found purpose and alignment working at OxeraThe evolution of Oxera from a 50-person office to a 300+ strong international firmWhy flexible and part-time work needs more champions in leadershipBuilding a values-led career that grows with youHow Oxera creates a culture of longevity, learning and returners💡 Key Takeaways:Non-linear careers are often the most fulfilling. Paula’s path proves you don’t need a degree or a traditional route to thrive in leadership.Kindness and fairness belong at every level of HR. Even tough conversations can be handled with empathy.Culture comes from values and from people who live them. Oxera’s success is tied to its commitment to collaboration, integrity, and long-term growth.Flexible work isn’t a perk, it’s a business advantage. Creating room for part-time roles and career returners builds better teams.Long tenures start with opportunity. When people are given space to grow, they stay and thrive.Whether you're early in your career or navigating leadership, this conversation is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to pivot — and that purpose and flexibility can (and should) coexist.🔗 Show Links:Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts hereConnect with Paula hereVisit Oxera’s website hereSupport the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

Send us a textThis week, I’m joined by Georgie Harris, co-founder of Mums Who Build — a community created to support mums navigating the often difficult return to work or business after having children.After leaving a successful role at Burberry to care for her son with complex needs, Georgie found herself questioning identity, purpose, and financial security. She shares her journey of building back confidence — and how that experience led her to create a thriving support network for like-minded mums.🗂️ What We Cover:Georgie’s decision to leave corporate life and how it reshaped her prioritiesThe emotional and financial impact of caring for a child with additional needsHow Mums Who Build started as a WhatsApp group and grew into a movementRedefining success and career identity post-motherhoodTools for rebuilding financial confidence and self-beliefHow to find — or create — a supportive communityManaging burnout and the pressure to “bounce back”💡 Key Takeaways:You’re allowed to start over. Career paths can shift dramatically — and that’s not failure.Financial resilience starts with confidence. Empowerment comes from knowledge and support.Community changes everything. Finding your people helps you rebuild faster and stronger.Don’t rush the return. Slowing down can be a power move — not a setback.Purpose evolves. What drives you may change after motherhood, and that’s where new magic can begin. Whether you're returning to work after a break, building a business, or simply looking for community and clarity, this episode is packed with honesty, inspiration, and practical wisdom. Show Links:Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts hereConnect with Georgie hereVisit the Mums Who Build website hereFollow @mumswhobuild on InstagramSupport the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

Send us a textIn this heartfelt episode of Work It Like a Mum, I’m joined by the inspiring Anja Webster — a breast cancer survivor turned recovery coach. After her own life-changing diagnosis and treatment journey, Anja now supports others navigating life after breast cancer.We talk openly about the emotional rollercoaster of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery — and the often-overlooked period after the NHS signs you off. Anja shares her personal experiences with honesty and compassion, making this episode essential listening for anyone facing illness or supporting a loved one who is.💬 In this episode, we discuss:Anja’s breast cancer diagnosis story and early warning signsThe emotional weight of treatment and managing anxietyTalking to children about cancerWhat recovery really looks like — physically and emotionallyStrategies for coping, including exercise, rest, and support systemsWhy Anja became a coach to help others post-treatment💡 Key Takeaways:One in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime — awareness and early detection matterRecovery isn’t just physical — the emotional healing is often just beginning after treatment endsCommunity, self-compassion, and open conversations can make all the difference🎯 Perfect for: Anyone facing a cancer diagnosis, navigating recovery, supporting a loved one, or interested in real stories of resilience and transformation.Show Links:Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts hereConnect with Anja hereVisit Anja’s Website hereSupport the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram. Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!