A new business networking group for mothers in business has opened in Coleford.

The child-friendly group MIBA Forest of Dean, run by the Mums in Business Association, aims to give business advice on topics such as cashflow and attracting new customers and to provide support on the practicalities of running a business around your family.

The Mums in Business Association (MIBA) was founded by sisters Estelle Keeber and Leona Burton after they realised that there was a lack of support for mothers in business. The duo has 7 children between them, and they have run several businesses. The association has grown very quickly, and they currently have groups in Australia, Canada and all over Europe. In 3 short years, they have grown massively, and have over 56,000 members worldwide.

Mothers are taking control of their economies. With spiralling childcare costs, and the lack of jobs that enable women to work flexibly, and around the school holidays, many choose to run a business to increase their income and give them a degree of independence and work-life balance.

Nikki Knight, a freelance copy editor who leads the Coleford group is excited about the opportunities that it will create.

“The support and guidance I have gained from MIBA has been invaluable on my journey to build my own business so I am overjoyed to be able to bring this support network to other local female business owners,” she said. “Due to the geography of our area it is not always easy to get to other places for networking, especially if you are restricted by school times, so bringing MIBA right into the heart of the Forest will give so many more ladies the opportunity to be involved.

“Unlike other networking groups there are no membership fees, standard event ticket prices are £15, events are child friendly (children don’t need a ticket) and there are lots of opportunities to take part in additional training at incredibly low prices ”

The group’s first meeting will take place on Tuesday June 9 (10.30am-12.30pm) and it will be an online event.

To get involved or for further information, join the Facebook group @MIBAColeford or contact [email protected].