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Anyone who is not accustomed to the phrase ‘mumtrepreneur' has clearly never met Helen Bissett.

A self-employed business and personal development coach, Helen launched her own business, Budding Futures in 2007. The married Mum-of-two, who specialises in business and personal development, offers bespoke in-house training to people across the region, helping them build up their business by equipping them with the skills to move forward.

The demand for her service proving so popular, she has already set up a second office in Lowgate, Hull to complement the one in Beverley she has been working out of since the business launched.  She said "Budding futures aims to build companies through their individuals. I have just moved into new office space in Hull, as I thought it would be better to have two locations. More people were becoming customers, some of whom were based in Hull, so it just made sense"

Before launching her own business, Helen developed a strong marketing background, working for companies, including Reckit Benckiser and Youngs.

The reason she decided to set up by herself was to achieve a better work-life balance. She said, "I realised I wasn't seeing my children or husband as much as I wanted and thought to myself, ‘What is life about?'  I realised life was all about balance and when I was working in the corporate world, it was completely out of balance."

"Now I don't work any less than I did before.  It is just that I can work around my own terms.  So I can spend time with my family and still do work after the children have gone to bed."

But Helen believes that budding futures would not have grown so dramatically had she not joined the Beverley chapter of B.N.I (Business network International).

The networking group, which has climbed to the top of the BNI league table for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, has helped her to build up contacts successfully in a much smaller time slot than if she did it alone.

She said "I got involved with the BNI while working with a friend and colleague who mentioned it to me. I had said I didn't know how to get my name out there and get on and make good contacts very quickly- it can be difficult having to network after a tiring day's work."

After attending just one meeting, Helen did not hesitate to sign up as a member. She said, "It has definitely helped. BNI can make up to 75% of some companies referrals and has made millionaires out of people. People have started out as a soul trader and within two years have employed 20 or 30 staff."

The Beverley chapter used to meet at a hotel but, as the group grew, it needed a new venue, so members now meet at Beverley racecourse. Helen serves as the group's membership co-ordinator and is also assistant director for BNI's Yorkshire region

But the ‘mumtrepreneur' does not stop there.

She also puts time and energy into helping other people, particularly women, set up there own business.  As an ambassador for Yorkshire Forward, she encourages women into Women into enterprise and is an active member of MEET, Women's Enterprise in the Humber and Women in Business.

She said:" Some women might return to work after a break and find the career ladder has been oiled and they cannot climb back up and on it."

"I was always very determined to succeed, but I know how difficult it can be."

" I'm keen to encourage women to consider trying self-employment and to encourage everyone to consider becoming a BNI member."

Hull Daily Mail, 27th August, 2008