In this week’s episode of the Work it Like a Mum Podcast, I’m joined by Jo Langley. She opens up about her experience of joining Utility Warehouse (UW) as a partner and how she’s built it alongside family life and her existing marketing business.

Jo talks about the reality of starting something new, from hitting her Fast Start bonus in her first month to juggling priorities as a mum, and how UW has given her an extra income stream, peace of mind, and new opportunities.

We also chat about the bigger shift in how people work today, with more than 20 million people in the UK running side hustles — and why multiple income streams are fast becoming the norm.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• The moment Jo realised she needed another income stream
• How rising costs (mortgage, car, kids!) pushed her to look for solutions
• Why UW felt like a natural fit and how she got started
• The training, support and mentoring that helped her succeed quickly
• Incentives big and small – from family holidays to pizza nights
• The diversity and support within the UW partner community

Key Takeaways:

• Flexibility is everything: UW allows you to work around family life and existing commitments.
  
  
• Fast results are possible: Jo earned £2,300 in her first month with just 15 hours of work.
  
  
• Training and support make the difference: Mentoring and structured guidance help you start confidently.
  
  
• Side hustles aren’t just about money: They give your family peace of mind, security, and opportunities.
  
  
• Anyone can do this: With the right tools and mindset, UW can work for a wide variety of people and backgrounds.
  
  
• Diversity and community matter: The supportive team and diverse partner network are key to ongoing motivation and success.
  
  
• Incentives make it fun: The rewards keep you focused and motivated, from family holidays to small treats.

Why Listen:

Whether you’re curious about UW, exploring a side hustle, or want to hear a real and honest story of balancing family and business, this episode is for you.

Show Links:

Connect With Our Host, Elizabeth Willetts Here

Connect With Joanna on LinkedIn Here

Learn More About Joining UW Here

Support the show

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!

Follow us on Instagram.

Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

Send us a text

This week on the Work it Like a Mum Podcast, I’m joined by Maria Hvorostovsky — leadership coach, host of The Anatomy of a Leader, and one of Europe’s top executive search consultants. With 20+ years of placing senior leaders (including the first CEO of JW Anderson), Maria knows what makes leaders thrive and where founders stumble.

She shares her journey from a family of musicians in Russia to running her own business, launching a podcast, and building a leadership ecosystem. We dive into reinvention, the messy middle of motherhood and business, and why creating space for yourself, even a solo night away, is non-negotiable.

💡 What We Cover

• Maria’s journey from psychology student to top headhunter & entrepreneur
• Why she founded Anatomy of a Leader and her mission to inspire change
• What founders often get wrong when hiring (and how to get it right)
• How to make your CV & LinkedIn stand out to recruiters
• The three emotional skills every great leader needs
• Why creating space, from meditation to “joy creators”, is vital for women
• How saying no, outsourcing, and boundaries protect your energy

✨ Key Takeaways

Leadership starts with self-leadership: regulate, name & channel your emotions.

Hire for tomorrow: great founders recruit teams, not just one “fix-it” hire.

Your CV is just the start: your reputation and relationships carry the most weight.

Creating space isn’t selfish: even 10 minutes of stillness can fuel clarity & confidence.

Redefine success: joy, boundaries, and purpose matter as much as career titles.

🎧 Why Listen

This episode is a masterclass in reinvention, leadership, and permission to put yourself first — while still chasing big ambitions.

Show Links:

Connect With Our Host, Elizabeth Willetts Here

Connect With Maria on LinkedIn Here

Visit Maria's Website Here

Follow Maria on Instagram Here

Listen to Her Podcast Here

Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.

Support the show

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!

Follow us on Instagram.

Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

Send us a text

On this week's Work it Like a Mum Podcast episode, we’re joined by Emma Thomas, executive coach, consultant, and podcast host, who helps people unlock potential and navigate big life transitions. After 30 years in academic publishing, Emma was made redundant in 2022. Instead of returning to corporate life, she reinvented herself. Now she coaches clients, runs her own podcast, and leads Managing the Menopause, helping employers create menopause-supportive workplaces.

We discuss the messy middle of midlife — when work, parenting, ageing parents, and health collide. Emma shares her redundancy story, why she turned to podcasting during the pandemic, and how menopause can be a catalyst for growth rather than decline.

💡 What We Cover

• How redundancy sparked reinvention.
• Why podcasting is easier than you think.
• The juggle of work, kids, and ageing parents.
• Menopause vs. “everything else” stress — and how to tell the difference.
• Stopping people-pleasing and embracing boundaries.
• Why letting go of perfection matters.

✨ Key Takeaways

Midlife is a turning point — overwhelming, but also a chance to reset.

Redundancy can be the start of something better.

You don’t need perfect plans to begin — progress beats perfection.

Boundaries create space for what matters most.

Let go of impossible standards — you’ll gain energy and freedom.

🎧 Why Listen

If you’ve ever felt like life is “lifing” too hard, or wondered whether it’s too late to pivot, this conversation will remind you that it’s never too late to start again. Emma’s story is proof that reinvention is possible, podcasting is accessible, and midlife can be a time of joy, boundaries, and brave new beginnings.

Show Links:

Connect With Our Host, Elizabeth Willetts Here

Connect With Emma on LinkedIn Here

Visit Emma’s Website, The Triple Shift Here

Visit the Managing the Menopause Website Here

Listen to The Middling Along Podcast Here

Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.

Support the show

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!

Follow us on Instagram.

Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!