From Mum to Mum to #Mumsrate
When I set up the Facebook group 10 years ago, I never imagined it would be where it is today. I never thought about it one day becoming a business, Mum to Mum was just a name I gave the group that held all my new ‘mum friends’ in one space. Space for us to talk, arrange meet ups, share special offers and promote great businesses that we had used. Over the years though other businesses have been created with similar names… So whilst I am known as ‘Sam from Mum to Mum’ in Milton Keynes, outside of Milton Keynes other businesses have already occupied that space in the form of nearly new sales called Mum 2 Mum…
After winning a Mpower Award in 2018 and then going back in 2019 as a sponsor… When people were asking ‘what is Mum to Mum’ I was finding it hard to explain, what is Mum to Mum? What type of business is it? Is it even a business? And as all of the businesses went up on the stage that night, they had one thing in common… They all had great names that basically told me what they did instantly. So I had to have a re-think, I needed to look at my business model and really work on my brand.
There was one thing that really stood out for me though! What I have found through running my Facebook group is that we are more popular than google some days, members turn to the group daily to ask for recommendations and it is true to say that our members will not use a business unless it has been ‘rated’ by another member!
Eureka… Just like that MumsRate came into my head! But what about the VIP card how does that fit? Eureka again… MumsRates the perfect name for my card that basically gives our parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, friends, and family great savings from over 130 local businesses so far in Milton Keynes.
And just like that… MumsRate was born!
The Mumsrate directory has been created to promote businesses that have been recommended by our members, we check the businesses reviews on google and social media to confirm they are giving a 5-star service and then list the business on our directory. We then give the businesses the option to ‘claim their spot’ to stay on what will be the best directory in town! No free listings that just get added by the businesses themselves like other well known directories – No! We only work with businesses that we or our members use ourselves.
When a Facebook group member then asks for a service we have on our directory we then share the link to the listing on our website for them to view and contact if they wish. This is both great for our clients and our customers as we all want to use a business that others have rated as great!
We already work with 150 local businesses in Milton Keynes and provide them with affordable packages and PR options to help their business grow.
Our ethos: Give our members access to all the services they ask for daily i.e Plumber, Builder, Baby Group, Afternoon Tea etc… And give our clients the best advertising packages in town so they can make more profit!
“Thank you for adding
the recommendation on
Mum to Mum for my business
Samantha. I have had so many
bookings as a result. I was very
busy, but now I am full!
Thank you” Ainsey’s entertainment
This has been a huge decision for me to re-brand, to launch as a new name with a brand new website, but after being so restricted with my previous website, I had to stay with the vision, the vision of creating more area directories like this all over the UK! Creating more jobs for parents like me, single parents who have to be the breadwinner, business owners that need another revenue stream or a hard working man or woman who just wants to run their own business! I have recruited my first freelance area manager already, who is also a business owner and mum, and the next 12 months is going to be a very exciting journey.
So those who know Sam, the magpie entrepreneur, the single mum grabbing life with both hands and creating a flexible job that fits around her boys will see that she now has a clear business plan.
- The online business directory & directory discount card in multiple areas – MumsRate & MumsRates
- Area agents as self employed managers @ MumsRate
- Social media management and online PR for clients – By Sam & her team
- Networking events and social media training workshops @ www.sjpoole.co.uk
- Co-founder & owner of Mum to Mum Magazine (In association with MumsRate but staying as Mum to Mum Mag)
- The new Job Board for flexible work opportunities. By Sam & her team
- Start up packages to help any small business get started and then grow with us! By Sam & her team
Working with several other freelancers who excel in their own business areas to help our business community.
So this is a quick explanation as to the name change and the reasons behind it. I am super looking forward to working with more new clients in Milton Keynes and excited to grow in other areas of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire & Hertfordshire very soon.
I would not have been able to do this new website though without Suki SEO. He knew exactly what I needed to do, what website technology I needed to be able to get my business back up and running again asap, as it was impossible to transfer or develop my old website for my 2020 vision. He has been patient, kind and a super genuine guy who is fantastic at what he does!! My awesome graphic designer Simon who helped me with the branding and logos. Also, Rebecca and Sarah who have helped me upload the huge amount of content into the business listings and blogs. And finally, my beautiful boys Sebastian and Harvey who have been patient and understanding whilst mummy works all hours, has been a bit stressed and puts 200% into the future of Mum to Mum, MumsRate, MumsRates, Networking, Social Media Management, the Magazine and more to give them the future they deserve.
I hope you like it!
Samantha Poole