Belfast mum wins Entrepreneur Award in London

The 36 year-old former Methodist College Belfast pupil, set up her breastfeeding clothing business The Milky Tee Company after struggling to find stylish clothes she could easily breastfeed in.

Since launching the business in February 2018, Lauren’s designs, which have hidden zips at each side, have sold all over the world and have been endorsed by Sir Richard Branson, who she met at the Virgin Voom awards after winning the Paypal International Award. She sells through her website www.themilkyteecompany.com and uses digital marketing, especially social media, to promote her brand but was still shocked to win the award.

She explained: “The other women nominated were all amazing so I was very surprised to win. It means a lot to be given this award though as running a business while juggling being a mum can sometimes seem overwhelming so it is lovely to get recognition for the hard work.

“My business is based online so since launching it I have learnt a huge amount about the digital world and I have loved learning about social media marketing and also using digital means such as live videos, Instagram and YouTube to connect with customers. Although I sell breastfeeding tops, the business is about more than just sales, it is also about helping mums feel more confident breastfeeding.

“I really struggled with breastfeeding at the beginning, especially in public, so it means so much to receive messages from mums who say our Milky Tees have helped them feel more confident feeding in public. And through our social media channels I try to share some tips and information which helped me, not just with breastfeeding but parenting generally.”

Lauren, who is from the Four Winds but is now based in Kent, is developing more breastfeeding products to add to her range of nursing T-shirts, sweatshirts and long-sleeved tops. She is also looking forward to growing the brand further internationally and has recently secured the trademark for Milky Tee in the US.

She added: “I am very excited about the future and growing the brand more globally. It’s scary but I really believe in the product and hopefully it will help lots of breastfeeding mums throughout the world.”

The DigitalWomen Awards in association with Natwest Business and the Federation of Small Businesses celebrate women working in digital and digital business from their amazing community and beyond who are doing the most incredible work in the digital space they operate in, those who are making the right moves and going beyond and above what is usually expected. The awards are open to any woman working in digital and entrepreneurship and entrants go through a rigorous judging process by their esteemed panel.

Lucy Hall Director of Avviso Media Ltd and Founder of DigitalWomen, said: “We are very excited to bring the DigitalWomen awards to the female digital and business community and beyond, these awards are the perfect opportunity to showcase and raise profiles of women doing great work.”