What happens when you see a problem that affects mothers every day, realise the support they need simply isn't there, and decide to do something about it? Meet Mari-Carmen, mother of three, former paediatric intensive care nurse, founder of FIT MAMA and Mari Carmen Fitness, and the entrepreneur behind Matresa, a personalised digital maternal health pathway designed to support women from their first trimester of pregnancy through to their child's second birthday and beyond. Built from a place of passion, professional experience and a desire for change, Matresa was born out of seeing first-hand how women are being failed throughout their maternity journeys. But turning that experience into a solution hasn't been a straightforward journey. In this episode, we talk to Mari-Carmen about the choices mothers are forced to make, the conflict between motherhood and ambition, and how her experiences as both a mother and a nurse inspired her to build something different. We explore why maternal health needs to be viewed holistically, connecting women's health, home and work, and how the right support can help mothers advocate for themselves and navigate a system that too often leaves them to figure things out alone. But having a great idea is only the beginning. Mari-Carmen shares the realities of building apps, why simply creating something doesn't mean people will find it, and why being willing to pivot, rethink your approach and keep searching for the right solution is essential when building a business. We get into finding the right marketing partner, why marketing is about so much more than social media, and how strong branding can help build a community around a shared mission. We also talk about the sacrifices that come with building a business while raising children, working in front of your kids, flexible working and what needs to change to help more women return to work without the guilt or shame that so often comes with balancing motherhood and ambition. As Matresa looks towards America, we explore what it takes to turn a deeply personal mission into something with the potential to make a much wider impact. And, of course, we ask the question we love most on this podcast: what's next? From recognising where mothers are being let down to having the courage to build something better, Mari-Carmen is proof that the road to entrepreneurship isn't always straightforward. Sometimes, the first idea isn't the final answer. The key is to keep learning, keep adapting and keep looking for the pivot that gets you closer to the solution. And, of course, we want to hear from you. What would you ask Mari-Carmen about building a business from personal experience, navigating motherhood and ambition, or finding the courage to keep going when things don't go to plan? To find out more about Mari-Carmen and Matresa, click below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matresa/https://www.matresa-app.com/ Don't forget to like and subscribe so you don't miss a minute.
