Jenny Hopkins
Jenny Hopkins is a mum to two little ones and Founder of Jenny Hopkins Coaching. She coaches working mums to manage the work mum juggle so they can be happy and thriving in themselves AND be incredible mothers with successful careers.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
After graduating from Cambridge University, I embarked on a career in tax with a large professional services firm. I worked my way up the career ladder, but I never felt the sense of purpose or fulfilment that I really wanted from my career. After becoming a mother, I knew beyond doubt that I wanted something more from my career.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
I had seen so many other mothers struggle to balance the demands of motherhood and their career, with all the other roles and responsibilities that we all have, in a world of work that isn’t set up around the needs of working families. I also found the early years of motherhood extremely challenging, and when I worked out how to prioritise myself alongside all the other priorities in my life, I knew that I needed to help other working mothers thrive too. I loved the coaching aspects of my roles in the professional services industry and so I undertook my coaching training.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
I want every mother to know the importance of keeping themselves high on the priority list, so that they can have the energy, … and emotional reserves to be the incredible mother they want to be, as well as excel in their careers. So many mothers struggle to find the time to spend on themselves, and also to spend the time they do have on activities that leave them feeling replenished and energised. My Mama Thrive programme is a three month one to one coaching programme that helps mums feel; – happy and thriving; – restored and full of energy; – able to give their children their best; – time for themselves, to do the things they love and to feel like themselves; – and to stop just waiting for the next stage and hoping things will be better. The Me-Time Revolution is a 30-day online coaching programme and gives working mums more me-time in 30 days. It includes powerful coaching exercises in bite-sized pieces designed to fit into the busiest days.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
I’m most proud of the change and results that my clients are achieving in building a happier working motherhood.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
I would like to see the world of work offer the flexibility that everybody needs, but particularly working mothers, to successfully combine parenthood with a fulfilling career.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
I want to see a world where women’s leadership is unremarkable, because a leadership role is equally likely to be filled by a woman as a man. Motherhood is a huge factor in the career trajectory of a woman. I believe that in order for that to change, parental leave opportunities need to be equal for men and women and working culture needs to change so that men are equally as like as women to need and use flexibility in their work around parenthood.
What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Keep going! The only difference between you and that person you see in front of you who has achieved incredible success is that they are several years and many failures ahead of you. Those that achieve are the ones that learn from their failures, carry on and try something different. Find someone who has walked the path before you and learn as much as you can from them. A good mentor is invaluable.