Always wanted to start your own small business but don’t know where to start? Hooray for THE SECRET COFFEE GROUP! Finally, a small business course for mums, created by an amazing mum – Jen Jones. The SCG run weekly business classes for mums in Birkenhead, Auckland, with an onsite nanny, great coffee and ongoing support. [NO classrooms, NO disconnecting videos, NO pressure]. Enjoy the real classes with real women, in a comforting and inspiring atmosphere. We spoke to Jen to find out more.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
When I became a mother, I felt as though I’d lost my identity, and my values changed. It was emotionally strenuous and enlightening all at the same time! After coaching confidence classes in New Zealand schools for 5 years, I wanted to give confidence to not just children, but other mums as well. Many mothers dream of setting up their own business, but fear and financial uncertainty get in the way. I wanted to create a business programme where women didn’t feel self-conscious or held back for being a mother, but instead it was embraced and viewed as a strength – which it absolutely is! And so, The Secret Coffee Group was born.
The Launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
To be completely honest, I just decided one day to stop talking about it, and just do it. Registering your business is when it becomes real, and I’d been stabilising the idea in my head for around three months before registering it. It was in fact almost two years ago that a mother from my antenatal group made a note that I inspired her to set up her own business, the now very successful Little Hope & Co. I also interviewed all my mama friends before starting up too, just to pin down the reasons why more amazing women weren’t starting their own businesses.
I wanted to create a business programme where women didn’t feel self-conscious or held back for being a mother, but instead it was embraced and viewed as a strength – which it absolutely is!
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
I knew I’d started something special when I had women opening up through my website. I have received a few emails where I’ve just been left stunned at some of the things women do for their children, and how they see the programme as doing something for them. It is all very, very inspiring and really elevates the community value of what I’m trying to create with The SCG.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
I like to think of The SCG as a playgroup where you can learn something. My son, Sterling, is two years old, and loves playing with other children. I feel comforted that I can work from home while he can play with other children. We have an onsite nanny for the classes, so we can fully concentrate and take time for ourselves when we need to. Flexibility to prioritise time with my family or time to myself is important to me, and I think taking that control in to your own hands makes maintaining that balance much more straight forward!
