Wimbledon Mum Wins Top Business Award

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National franchise prize for local mum-of-two

A Wimbledon mother with no previous business experience has won a national business award less than two years after starting her business.

Mum-of-two Cath Harrop began mum2mum market- a themed baby and children's nearly new sale that allows mums to recycle their outgrown baby and children's goods in September 2011 while on maternity leave from her job as a doctor.

Throughout 2012 the business expanded rapidly - taking on 16 franchisees across the UK. Cath now has a network of local mums running mum2mum market nearly new sales in 50 locations as far afield as Merseyside and Devon. She still holds her own sales in Wimbledon and Wandsworth which attract 300 attendees at each event. 

Cath won the prestigious Encouraging Women into Franchising award (EWIF) for Best New Franchisor at the awards sponsored by Nat West.

She said: "2012 was an amazing year. I knew I had a great idea backed up by a solid business model but I didn't expect the business to grow quite so big, so quickly. 

"Winning the Merton Business Award for Best New Business gave me the confidence to expand my franchise network more quickly than originally planned and being recognised from within the franchise industry is a huge boost.  The franchises allow mums to return to the workplace, working flexible hours around their children in a rewarding and ethically sound business."

Cath won the Merton Business Award for Best New Business in 2012 and is a finalist in the South London Business Awards 2013.

EWIF is a not-for-profit organisation that aims offers help and support to women thinking of becoming a franchisee or franchising their businesses and to help franchisors redress any gender imbalance in their organisation

• The next Wimbledon mum2mum market is on June 8, 2-4pm, at the YMCA Wimbledon on The Broadway.  Admission is £2 on the door, kids free, and free admission after for the last half hour of the sale. More information at www.mum2mummarket.co.uk.

May 30, 2013