How Free Mum Meetups Accidentally Turned Into a Whole Business

Let me tell you a little secret: I never set out to start a business.

I wasn’t sitting there with a business plan, a five-year strategy, or a dream of being a “mumpreneur.” I just wanted to meet other mums, have a chat, and escape the house for a bit.

So, I set up free mum meetups—nothing fancy, just a space where we could talk, swap survival tips, and remind ourselves that we were still functioning humans outside of snack schedules and Peppa Pig marathons.

And then… something unexpected happened.

Mums started asking, “Do you run any structured activities?”

Now, here’s the thing- I had a BA in Childhood Studies and had managed children’s services before. I knew my stuff. But I had never done it for myself. Never run my own classes. Never built something from scratch. And honestly? That was terrifying.

But the demand was there. So I thought, why not? I trialled a few classes, and before I knew it, I was running a paid-for children’s activity business.

Fast-forward again, and what do you do when you’ve built a whole community of parents and children? Apparently, you open a café. Because somehow, it felt like the next natural step—a permanent space for connection, coffee, and chaos (the fun kind).

So, what started as a casual “let’s meet up” idea turned into a full-blown business journey. And the best part? I never had to “sell” anything—because I had already found my people.

Even now, in my current business, I see how much of my success comes from prioritising genuine relationships over traditional marketing tactics. So if you’re trying to grow your business without feeling awkward or salesy, here’s what I learned along the way.

1. Stop Thinking About Selling, Start Thinking About Connecting

The best business advice I accidentally discovered? People love to buy, but they hate being sold to.

I didn’t start those mum meetups thinking, This will be a great lead generation funnel. I just wanted some adult conversation. But because I focused on genuine connection, people naturally trusted me when I did offer something paid.

The mums who attended my meetups became my first paying customers for activity classes.

Those same customers became my biggest word-of-mouth marketers.

By the time I opened the café, I already had a loyal community ready to support it.

💡 Lesson: Focus on building trust first, and the business side will follow. People buy from people they like—so be someone worth knowing.

2. Online is Great, But Real-Life Connections Win Every Time

I know, I know—everyone says social media is the best way to grow a business. And yes, it’s great for visibility. But when it comes to actually building relationships, nothing beats face-to-face interactions.

Even in my current business, 75% of my clients since launching in November have come from in-person networking. No fancy funnels. No paid ads. Just showing up, talking to people, and letting connections form naturally.

💡 Lesson: If you’re struggling to grow your business online, maybe it’s time to step away from the screen and meet people in real life. It’s easier (and way less awkward) than sending a cold DM.

3. If You Can’t Find Your People, Create the Space Yourself

I started those mum meetups because I needed them. I knew other mums must feel the same way, so I created the space I wished existed. That one decision changed everything.

• Free meetups turned into paid activity classes.

• Activity classes led to a loyal customer base.

• That customer base supported the launch of the café.

If I had waited for the perfect space to magically appear, I’d probably still be scrolling through parenting forums wondering why I felt so isolated.

💡 Lesson: If the community you need doesn’t exist yet, maybe it’s because you’re the one meant to create it.

4. Relationships Take Time, But They’re Worth It

Not every mum who came to my meetups signed up for my classes. Not everyone who attended my classes became a café regular. But that wasn’t the point—because every interaction built trust.

And the same applies in business today. The best clients don’t always show up immediately. But if you’re consistently showing up, offering value, and actually caring about people, they’ll come back when the time is right.

💡 Lesson: Business isn’t about quick wins—it’s about long-term relationships. Stay patient, keep showing up, and watch things unfold.

Your People Are Already Out There—You Just Have to Find Them

So here’s the takeaway:

• You don’t need a perfect strategy—just start connecting.

• You don’t have to be everywhere online—in-person wins every time.

• If the right space doesn’t exist—create it yourself.

• Play the long game—because relationships are the foundation of everything.

If you’re struggling to find your people, don’t overthink it. Start small. Say hello. Join a group. Or hell, start your own.

You never know where it might lead.