E114: Maternity leave, letting go, and why we're closing the podcast - Solo episode with Caroline
From Bump to Business Owner · 29:34
Show by Caroline Marshall
Trigger warning: this episode briefly mentions neonatal intensive care, so if it's not the right time for you, please listen to an episode from the archive. Caroline is expecting baby number three! And there are questions: will you switch off? Will you take "proper" maternity leave? This week, Caroline explains why her mat leave plan is a bit different, and why that's OK. Upsource, the award winning Virtual Assistant agency, launched six years ago, whilst Caroline was pregnant with baby #2 in lockdown. She designed the business around school runs, mummy days and the times when her kids need her most, rather than for a single year of maternity leave and back to the 9-5. She talks honestly about what she's putting in place this time, from a new fractional COO and new tech to a team who are even more invested. Last mat leave she left a team of 5, now the Upsource team is 40+, there's still a lot to feel nervous about! More big announcements: After three and a half years and more than 100 episodes, Bump to Business Owner is closing. Caroline explains why, what's next, and why - don't worry! - this isn't the last episode just yet. Topics "I didn't build a business for one year": rethinking maternity leave as a founder Why "just switch off" isn't as simple as it sounds How Caroline is preparing Upsource to run without her The fear of being missed, and the fear of not being missed Why being pregnant the third time around feels so different Why she's closing the Bump to Business Owner podcast, and what's next Chapters: 00:00 Why founder maternity leave is not a simple switch-off 02:40 Parenting needs extend beyond the newborn year 05:38 What changed between maternity leaves 07:58 Recruiting, pregnancy, and building leadership capacity 10:39 Preparing Upsource with a fractional COO and new systems 12:30 Trusting the team while facing financial pressure 15:49 Experience, support, and learning to rest 17:45 Letting go of meetings and daily decisions 18:51 Using AI and automation to reduce admin 20:51 What Caroline is letting go of 21:41 Why Bump To Business Owner is closing 24:55 Refocusing on Upsource and the assistant community 27:16 The stories behind the final podcast series 28:53 What comes next on Substack Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ Substack: https://carolinemarshallupsource.substack.com/ Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/
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- E0: Welcome to the Bump To Business Owner podcast
- E1: "The Guinea Pig Generation" with Steph Douglas
- E2: "My working week non negotiables"
- E3: "Don't feel like it has to be perfect" with Hollie Grant
- E4: "Why should you have to do it on your own?"
- E5: "We shouldn't aspire to doing it all" with Danielle Wallington
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