She’s a mentor, speaker and champion for mums in business as well as a successful ‘mumpreneur’ in her own right.

Now Erin Thomas Wong can add ‘editor’ to her list of achievements with the publication of her new book ‘Mumpreneur Evolution: On our terms.’

It’s available in paperback or Kindle via Amazon from today, July 6.

A mumpreneur is a female entrepreneur who combines running a business with looking after her children.

The word has caused some controversy, but many women find it the perfect term to describe how they have chosen to live their lives.

The 200-page book features 23 professional high-flying women who have given up corporate careers to create and grow flexible businesses.

They range from photographers and surveyors to consultants and life coaches and, in age, from their late 20’s to 60’s.

Some started their businesses with babies in their arms, others realised there was a gap in the market which they could fill or built their businesses while solo-parenting.

All have made a conscious decision not to replace a 60 hour a week corporate job with a 60 hour a week business.

Instead they’ve created flexible businesses which allow them to also be the primary carer for their children.

Some have exceeded their previous salaries, and created successful franchises generating employment opportunities for other women at home.

The women featured include Felicity Sandford, Founder of Amazing Futures Ltd.

She said: “I love being a mumpreneur.

“I take my business very seriously and I am passionate about it in a way I never was about my corporate career.” 

Another contributor, Elizabeth Lusty, Founder of Love2Sing Choirs, said: “In 2019 I realised I had done it – I had earned the full-time salary I had in my old job working 40 hours.

“I did this whilst working on average 3.5 days a week, plus I have three members of staff and my business is growing.

“My salary now equals and will soon surpass my husband’s full-time wage.

“I pay myself a proper salary every month and it feels awesome”

Erin said: “Mumpreneur Evolution is a collection of insightful and inspiring interviews with 23 women who share their journeys of overcoming self-doubt, feeling like an imposter, and how they have successfully designed a business that works for them.

“You will learn what’s worked – as well as what hasn’t – for these women as they launched and grew businesses alongside raising a family.

“They share how they have adapted to overcome challenges, dealt with mum guilt, imposter syndrome and gaps in their knowledge.

“Each woman shares her tips on how to manage that common challenge: the work/life juggle.”

Mumpreneurs should not be underestimated.

Figures show that, collectively, they are a key element of the UK economy.

There are now more than 800,000 women in the UK who call themselves ‘mumpreneurs’ and the number is rising rapidly.

According to a report published by Think Tank Development Economics, in 2014 these power women produced £7.2bn in revenue for the nation.

By 2025, the mumpreneur economy is expected to generate £9.5bn for the UK.

A 2019 report commissioned by HM Treasury (The Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship) found that flexibility around family care is the number one driving force to start a business for women with children.

However, childcare responsibilities are cited as the main barrier to success.

Covid-19 has also led many families to reassess their expectations of income as well as values and lifestyles.

The result is expected to be a further steep rise in the number of women becoming mumpreneurs.

Erin, 41, lives in Bournemouth with her husband, Dominic, and two sons.

She created The Mumpreneur Collective online community four years ago to support mums starting and growing businesses around family life.

The inner sanctum of the group is The Cocoon online business club which provides a safe place to learn, evolve and grow.

It includes video masterclasses, expert advice, member calls and continual support.

The 23 women featured in the Mumpreneur Evolution are all members of The Cocoon.

Erin credited her mum, Sue Thomas, a successful science fiction author in her own right, as the inspiration for the book.

She said: “I couldn’t have done it without her. She was the one who said to me ‘go for it’.

“Briony Hartley, of Goldust Design, has also done a fantastic job designing the book.

“I’ve also had 60 people who have been part of my book launch team.

“I’m really excited that finally, and after many months, the publication date has arrived.

“I hope that when they read this book, women will see how possible this can be for them too.

“How they can overcome their own self-doubt, how they can carve their own path, and how they too can become happy and successful business owners working on their own terms.”

• Order your copy of ‘Mumpreneur Evolution: On our terms’ here.