In the loop with... Jessica Lawes

The Mum Club is an amazing free membership organisation offering tips, information and insight to women – who happen to have children! We took 5 minutes out of co-founder Jessica Lawes' busy scheduled to chat all things TMC, her outlook on sustainability, shopping secondhand and her one top piece of advice for new mums.

Tell us a little bit about you…

My name is Jessica Lawes, I am a mother of 4 and co-founder of The Mum Club the UK's leading event based community and members club for women who happen to have children.

‍

Co founders Lauren (left) Jessica (right)

How did mum club get started and how did it evolve into the mum club we see today?

Like any good project The Mum Club began from a personal need. A gap in the market. Myself and my co-founder Lauren discussed what was missing in motherhood sat at the kitchen table over a bottle of wine and shortly after TMC was born. I believe the reason it is so successful is because every step of the way we ask ourselves, would we go to that event? Would we buy that bag?.. We are our target market and we are part of the masses.

What is the main purpose of the mum club?

The main purpose is to fight loneliness in motherhood. We no longer live in an age where you and all your family live on the same st you were brought up in. You don’t have the ‘village’ to help raise your child but you are also now expected to achieve a career and a home life, whilst maintaining your sanity and social life. We want women to know that you can do anything but not everything and that’s ok! We are that lifeline to create your own village, an event for mums where you can meet lifelong friends. A place to fill your cup, put on some nice clothes and get out the house. A place to make motherhood that little bit easier.

‍

The Mum Club Co founders with guests at TMC event

As a mum of 4, if you could offer one tip or piece advice to new mums, what would it be?

Routine and relax. Routine will be tough at times but it will give you freedom as well and just relax. Easier said than done, I know. But they are going to be ok if they don’t finish their milk, or don't have a bath tonight or only eat strawberry flavoured yoghurts for a week. They might not sleep right now but they will, phases will pass, embrace it enjoy it because soon they will be older and won’t hold your hand in public.

I did want new items for my brand new baby but that soon changed when I realised the mass of stuff you need for such a short time. I am very much aware of our footprint on the planet, especially because we are a larger family now. We do what we can to reduce it.

Do you shop second hand / preloved for yourself and/or your kids?

I was lucky enough to have a circle of friends and family having children at a similar time, we regularly swap and share clothes, shoes, buggies, cots. It has been brilliant. Second hand does not mean worn out knees and thread bare jackets... and kids are expensive enough without buying everything brand new!

Did your outlook on sustainability and shopping secondhand change when you became a mum, and why?

Yes, maybe not after I had my first daughter, I did want new items for my brand new baby but that soon changed when I realised the mass of stuff you need for such a short time. I am very much aware of our footprint on the planet, especially because we are a larger family now. We do what we can to reduce it.

Can you recommend any ways that new mums can easily fit sustainability into their lives?

There are so many amazing sites now such as Dotte to access brilliant pre loved items, it really isn’t difficult to make small changes. Buy less and buy well.

What are your fav three brands to shop for the kids?

dotte- of course
Alex and Alexa have some brilliant sustainable kids brands all in one spot.
Merino - another great sustainable brand for kids.

What’s next for the mum club?

Events to get back up and running after the COVID restrictions meant we had to close all events for a year. We have spent our time working on a franchise model to create jobs for mums that can fit in around kids or existing work and also to make our events accessible to everyone in the UK. Next stop the world.

‍

The Mum Club events will be back soon!

‍

Find out more about The Mum Club and become a free member today.

be in the loop

find out more about upcoming online pop up shops, interviews and news
‍

sign up to the newsletter