Ask me a QHello Bright Minds, my guest today is Cecily Motley, an accomplished entrepreneur with a proven track record of growing companies and brand building in competitive markets. She is the founder of JustParent, a new company working to close the gender pay gap by helping small companies offer more paid parental leave.Previously, Cecily co-founded Motley London, a VC backed, direct-to-consumer brand making world class design affordable. Whilst she was there she was both the pregnant employee and the CEO trying to put good parental leave provision in place. Which led her to her next venture. She lives in London with her husband and two year old son.You’re going to hear about:Putting yourself under stress at work before you give birthWorrying about what people will think of your commitment as you become a parentWhat it’s like to be a venture capital backed entrepreneurWhy it’s good to define your leave period and stick to it Not finding your tribe on maternity leaveThe positive power of a partner who takes shared parental leaveWhat Cecily hopes her new venture, JustParent, will do for the take-up of Shared Parental Leave among men who work in SMEsAnd as always the wobbliest moment and peak moment of my guest’s return to work experience.REFERENCES FLAGGED IN THE EPISODEIf employers really want to increase the uptake of men taking Shared Parental Leave, here’s how: https://www.talentkeepers.co.uk/employers-fathers-taking-spl/The single best thing you can do for mothers in your organisation right now: https://www.talentkeepers.co.uk/the-single-best-thing-you-can-do-for-mothers-in-your-organisation-right-now/ What do business leaders think about SPL: https://www.talentkeepers.co.uk/business-leaders-shared-parental-leave/Expectant fathers at work: https://www.talentkeepers.co.uk/breakingthebias-iwd2022/MORE FOR YOU DM Jessica on instagram @comebackcommuk Get Jessica's FREE fortnightly note, Pivotal. Watch our coaching Success Stories. Take our new FREE Career Fuel diagnostic - and get a personalised free report. Read Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers. Contact us about executive coaching.