Hi and welcome to the Business Mum Carnival!

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed hosting the carnival this month as it’s introduced me to a whole host of bloggers that I’d not come across before.  It’s even encouraged me to spruce my own blog up a bit as it was looking rather tired!

I think us business mums are a very special breed indeed.

I regularly read blogs and tweets about us juggling like mad, of course all working mums do that, but to run your own business as well as run your family calls for some super, uber organising skills and it can take a lot of discipline if working from home. I’ll hold my hands up and admit to being all too easily distracted by ‘Homes under the Hammer’ or the need for another cup of tea instead of knuckling down to some work.

So….on with the carnival. It’s been a bumper crop with lots of you sending links to your favourite business blog post. Thanks to everyone who took part.

Starting with Debbie from Motivating Mum with the first part of how she became a mumpreneur. Trust me, once you’ve read it you’ll be dying to read part 2!

Next up is Ipshita whose company is Minor Editions. She  has written about her own ethical obligations as a fashion retailer, something that is very topical at the moment.

Libby Hill runs the Smart Talkers Pre-school groups and she writes about the effect of NHS cutbacks on speech and language therapies.

Helen Upson has recently found herself with new baby and new business! Giving herself the title of  ‘Employment Law Consultant and Workplace Mediator’ she takes a humorous look at what it’s like to not even have the time to shave your legs!

I particularly enjoyed Naomi Richards from The Kids Coach blog post as we all need advice on how to deal with our children when they are being particularly challenging.

Erica Douglas from AceInspire writes about her journey from waitress to a full blown mumpreneur .

Sally Hugget writes a lovely and inspiring post about her experience at the launch of ICT4Autism. Four autistic children were lucky enough to receive a computer each.

Josephine Middleton at Slummy Single Mummy takes us all back to our pre-children years and asks us what our dream job would be.

Over at Cuddledry, Jo takes us through a typical working mum week. Phew, worn out after reading it, though sounds suspisciously like my own life!

Simone Castello writes a blog that we can all relate to. How she went from the rat race to a full time work from home mum. In a similar vein Heather Stewart also tells her story of how she became a freelance writer and why it’s better than being an employee.

Allison Price at Motivating Mum reflects on moving back to Australia after feeling lonely in London and finding that lonliness can affect you wherever you are.

Do you think what Sam Thewlis writes about over at her mumazing blog is underhand? Or do you think it’s acceptable behaviour?

Kate Griffiths writes an interesting post at mumsdaword on the subject of money, which you’re likely to have strong feelings about… one way or the other.

“What will my grown up name be?” – what a lovely question from a child! Read Donna’s reflection on her daughter’s question at her Little Lily Pad blog.

Nomita writes a fantastic review of a new wooden toy over at her ebabee blog. I wanted to buy one!

Helen Lindop throws down the gauntlet over at her business plus baby blog! Have a read if you’re up for a challenge and looking for ways to promote your blog.

And last but not least, the creative genius that is Jude has a brilliant suggestion for using gorgeously-coloured autumn leaves in an art ‘project’. I’m tempted to go and buy a laminator this afternoon!

So there you have it!  I hope I’ve included everybody, I hope all the links work and finally I hope you enjoy reading all these great posts as much as I did.