Julie Hawkins
Appointment – May 2021
Julie has been an amazing support since her appointment last year.
We ran our Network voluntarily since September 2011 and converted to a community interest company 2 years ago. We needed to strengthen our board and we asked Julie if we could add her. There was no hesitation on her part, and whatever forms needed filling and the number of times, she was always happy to help!
She also suggested some funding which we were unaware of, and we were initially hesitant, but she encouraged us to do so saying what did we have to lose? We are so glad we did! We received this first lot of funding for our enterprise over the summer and this gave us a much-needed boost to apply for other things.
Julie travelled across the country to help celebrate our 11th Anniversary recently and does her utmost to help others. We are so pleased she is part of our board.
Bio
Julie designed, manufactured and supply KIH Bed Pregnancy Cushions nationally and internationally to Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Massage Therapists and Leading Spa Hotels. KIH Products Ltd Est. 2013. For several years she struggled to grow and sustain her company. She knew it was just lack of PR budget. The product had consistently great feedback and organically reached sales not only throughout the UK but as far as America and Australia. During this time, she completed a law degree and tried so hard to find work in sync with school, that paid a decent wage.
Following exhibiting at the NEC in 2019 and the significant increase of sales she was frustrated that she and thousands if not millions like her were struggling, just because of lack of exposure, or lack of skilled, paid work in sync with school / childcare, and so the Single Mums Business Network was created. Its core purpose is to bring single mums together to collaborate so that they are no longer fighting solo for exposure. Whilst raising awareness of the root cause of benefits and in-work poverty.
Julie has authored two books. ‘Finding Happiness and Freeing your Spirit’ in 2016 and ‘Breaking out of Benefits Jail’ 2022, and an Advisory Panel Member for Working Families.