My Journey from Corporate Commercial Negotiator to Return to Work Champion

After 20 years as a corporate negotiator, climbing the retail buying ladder to Head of Trading and Commercial, I never expected that becoming a mother would completely reshape my career path. But that's exactly what happened when I experienced firsthand the challenges of returning to work after maternity leave.

The Reality of Returning to Work After Maternity Leave

Returning to work after maternity leave was overwhelming, it felt lonely, scary, and overwhelming being away from my baby while also feeling like an outsider in a once-familiar team. With little to no support from management, I was thrust straight back into work as if nothing had changed, yet I couldn't have felt more different.

Through my own experience and countless conversations with other mothers, both personally and professionally, I now know it doesn't have to be this way, and it shouldn't be.

Why Working Parents Need Specialised Support

What strikes me most about working with parents preparing for their return to work is their lack of confidence. I am yet to meet a mother who feels confident about their return to work. Some may be excited, some feel apprehensive, but no one has ever said they feel confident, which has always struck me as incredibly sad.

These women haven't decreased their knowledge, experience, or value by having a child. In most cases, they've increased so many facets of what make them incredible employees. So why weren't they feeling it?

This observation became the catalyst for Hi.Ho.Coaching, a specialised service designed to empower working parents with practical strategies for a confident return to work.

More Than Just Coaching: A Practical Approach to Career Transitions

With my background in buying and commercial negotiation, I bring a unique blend of corporate expertise and personal understanding to my return-to-work coaching. My approach isn't just about boosting confidence, it's about equipping working parents with actionable strategies that work in the real corporate world.

Practical Return-to-Work Strategies

The corporate environment doesn't always accommodate the realities of parenthood, I often explain to my clients. I help parents navigate this terrain with practical tools, including:

• Maximizing KIT days (Keeping in Touch days during maternity leave)

• Strategically using accrued annual leave for a smoother transition

• Confidently negotiating flexible work arrangements

• Setting boundaries that protect both career and family time

• Building confidence for leadership roles as a working parent

  
  

This practical focus sets my working parent coaching apart. I don't just offer encouragement; I provide parents with the knowledge and negotiation skills to advocate for themselves effectively, drawing on my two decades of corporate experience.

Supporting Working Parents at Every Stage

My career transition coaching supports parents before, during, and after parental leave, addressing the full spectrum of challenges they face. Whether you're planning for maternity leave, staying connected during time away, or navigating your return to work, my coaching creates a clear roadmap for success.

Balancing Professional Identity with Parenthood

Many parents feel anxious about maintaining their professional identity while embracing their new role as a parent, I help them see that these roles can complement each other, the skills you develop as a parent can enhance your leadership abilities, and vice versa.

Through one-on-one coaching sessions, group workshops, and practical resources like my KIT Days Workbook, I create multiple avenues for parents to access the maternity leave support they need.

Changing Workplace Culture for Working Parents

My vision extends beyond individual coaching. I also work directly with businesses to enhance their maternity and paternity benefits through structured return-to-work coaching programs, helping companies retain talented parents and create more inclusive workplaces.

The Business Case for Supporting Working Parents

The businesses that support parents effectively gain a significant advantage. They retain experienced talent, improve diversity at leadership levels, and create cultures where everyone can thrive.

Research by Ernst & Young found that 95% retention rates increased for returning mothers when they received return-to-work coaching. With almost 30% of new mothers leaving the workforce within the first year of returning, businesses can't afford to ignore this issue.

By offering negotiation training and leadership development alongside my return-to-work coaching, I address both sides of the equation—empowering parents while helping businesses create better support structures.

Running a Business While Parenting: The Ultimate Negotiation Challenge

Running my own working parent coaching business while raising two children is what I call "the ultimate negotiation challenge", one that I navigate using the very strategies I teach my clients.

I've had days where I've coached a client in the morning, managed a school run in the afternoon, and squeezed in a strategy call before bedtime. It's a juggle, but setting boundaries, planning ahead, and advocating for what I need make all the difference.

This personal experience fuels my passion for supporting other working parents. I don't just teach theory, I live the reality of balancing professional ambitions with family life every day.

My Vision: Confident Returns to Work for Every Parent

My mission is clear: I want every parent to feel in control of their return to work, not just surviving, but thriving. I envision workplaces where maternity and paternity leave transitions are supported, not sidelined, and where parents continue to build the careers they deserve.

The Impact of Proper Return-to-Work Support

When parents feel supported during this transition, amazing things happen. They don't just 'get through' their return, they succeed, grow, and often bring valuable new perspectives to their work.

Ready to Transform Your Return to Work?

If you're a working parent preparing for maternity leave, currently on parental leave, or planning your return to work, Hi.Ho.Coaching offers the practical support you need to feel confident and prepared.

How I Can Support Your Career Transition:

• Return Ready Courses - 4-week group coaching programs

• One-to-One Return-to-Work Coaching - Personalized support

• KIT Days Planning Workbook - Maximize your keeping-in-touch days

• Corporate Return-to-Work Programs - For employers wanting to support their teams

Ready to start your confident return to work? Book a free discovery call or explore my coaching services designed specifically for working parents.

Together, we can transform how parenthood and professional success coexist.