51: Taking Up Space and Why It Feels So Uncomfortable

This is the first solo episode of Mum Means Business. No guest, no carefully crafted bio to introduce, no one else to bounce off. Just me, unfiltered, taking up space in my own podcast for the first time. This episode marks the start of a new weekly format. Each Friday, I'll share a short and honest reflection on whatever is on my mind that week across my photography business, my work teaching photographers to lead with print in the digital age, the podcast itself and my role in the family business my father established over twenty years ago. Layered on top of all of that, as always, is family life with its highs, lows and everything in between. In this first ramble, I open up about why it has taken me so long to talk about my own work on a podcast built to celebrate other mothers in business and what finally shifted to bring about this new chapter. In this episode, I reflect on: ✨ Why building a podcast to celebrate other women's businesses made it feel almost impossible to talk about my own ✨ The internalised story that to be accepted, women should dim themselves rather than take up space, and how deeply that belief can sit beneath the surface ✨ Why authenticity is hard precisely because it asks us to override a lifetime of conditioning that we are too much ✨ How the conversations on this podcast have become a genuine source of comfort and solidarity while navigating my own identity shifts in early motherhood ✨ The decision to start these solo episodes as a way of practising what I preach, and giving myself permission to take up the same space I encourage other mothers to claim Takeaway for Mums in Business: The more we normalise the mess that's going on behind the scenes, the better and that's why this podcast exists. The fact is that business-building takes time and when you're a Mum, it can take even longer. It's a rollercoaster, but we're all riding it together! About The Host: I’m Victoria Phipps – a Mum of two, analogue family photographer, personal brand photographer, educator, charity co-founder, marketer and now podcaster! 🎙️ I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis! I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams. Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes. I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @victoriaphippsmbe or @mummeansbusinesspodcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and review!