Hi Yasmin, Can you tell me a bit about yourself, your family and your Business?
Hi Im Yasmin Ratcliffe Im a 37 year old mother of 3 children, Lola who's 17, Oscar whos 14 and my youngest child Albii who is 3 and has additional needs as he is deaf. I live in Leigh and am married to Alex who is a builder and landscaper. My business is a small cafe/coffee shop and I offer a Buffet Service. The Cafe is named after my beautiful mother Rose who I lost during Lockdown.
Can I ask what made you want to become Sef Employed and how did you choose the business that you are in?
I've always had a love of food and baking, I love making people smile with sweet treats....its always a way to someones heart! I believe a coffee and cake can solve almost anything....its a sure way to make you feel better.
I chose to be my own boss 7 years ago after a period of time where I was working for others in sales and management and then a two year stint in a local cafe.
My first venture was a catering trailer to do events and then I bought a pitch to trade permanently. I then started to look for a shop to expand into and to be able to work my own hours around my children, its important for me to be able to contribute to the family financially but to also be there for my children.
How do you manage to successfully combine motherhood and business ?
Combining being a Mum and running a business can be very challenging, its tough at times but rewarding. Im lucky to have a strong supportive family unit, my husband is great at sharing tasks and my 2 older children help out with chores and entertaining my youngest. Its a team and they understand my business will benefit us all in the future and we all work together to share tasks.
Your business is very successful and you have quickly become a part of the community in Ashton in Makerfield. What do you think has contributed to your success?
I feel that its because I'm friendly and caring and always find the time to chat to customers and local people, the know, like and trust factor and building relationships is essential in any business. I'm a people person and Im also a pretty good baker and cook !!!! I get involved with a lot of local events and my husband even dressed up as santa for the Christmas markets.
You are an active member of the Mums in Business Networking Group for Wigan and St Helens, what benefits do you find by networking in the group and attending the meetings?
I love networking, The friendships Ive made and the support that I've given and recieved has been amazing. Its great to connect with likeminded business women and to get to know about them and their businesses. Its comforting to know that you are never alone and that we have a safe space to bounce ideas, offer and receive advice and be heard. The trainings and guest speakers are also amazing.
Have you any Networking Tips to share with us?
Dont be shy ! Contribute in the group and go along to the meetings, they are informal and friendly and you can take your children along with you. Talk to everyone in the room and get to know them.
Have you any tips for Self Employed mums who have children with additional needs?
Being a mum of a child with additional needs can be really overwhelming but also totally rewarding. Just speak to everyone and ask for support and help/advice. Join lots of online and in person groups and remember that you are never alone.
You are very Involved with Wigan and Leigh Deaf Childrens Association, how has this helped you as a family ? Can you tell us about your fundraising and how we can help?
I joined the charity as a parent to get help and support and I'm now the vice chair and do a lot of work to raise funds. This involves speaking to lots of businesses to ask for sponsorship for the charity and I've recently won a contract with Marks and Spencer to secure funding. My husband also dresses up as Santa to raise funds and we have a donation box in the Cafe. The Charity has given us the confidence to talk about and raise awarness of the many issues we have faced and we always know that we are never alone.
Takeaway #1 Networking grows your Business.
Takeaway #2 Getting involved in the local community grows your business.
Takeaway #3 Motherhood and Business can be combined successfully.
You can find Yasmine on facebook here Roses Kitchen
You can find me Linda Anslow Yoga Holistics here Linda Anslow Yoga Holistics
You can find My Mums in Business Networking Group hereMums in Business Wigan and St Helens
