For the Multiplier Event of the KA2 MAMEC Project “Autonomous Mothers: Measures and Strategies for balancing family and work” (“Madres Autónomas: Medidas y Estrategias para Conciliar vida familiar y laboral”), we had three sessions:
The first one was the 10th of May. We explained the project, the objectives and a brief description of each partner.
Later, we showed pictures of the MAMEC Course in the four countries: Spain, Italy, Croatia and Greece, and we discussed about the modules and the business created by women entrepreneur mothers. At the end of the session, we gave them the MAMEC Guideline and we finish with the conclusions of the project.
The second session was the 17th of May. We did the same process than the first one, also giving the MAMEC Guideline to all the assistants.
The third one, was the 24th of May. We celebrated this final event of dissemination in the “Secretary of State for Social Services and Equality” in Calle Alcalá 37 in Madrid.
We celebrated this final event of dissemination in the “Secretary of State for Social Services and Equality” in Calle Alcalá 37 in Madrid.
First, we organized the whole space with an accreditation table with the folders of MAD for Europe, the program of the day, a flyer with the description of our organization, a roll-up and the event room with the screens with the MAMEC logo .
We started the event with some people and, as they came more, they pointed their name on the list of accreditations and entered the room. After the opening of the day in which we welcomed the attendees, Katia Maccarone, Managing Director of MAD for Europe, gave a brief explanation about our organization.
Next, Gregorio García-Solans, Cultural Director of MAD for Europe, and Marta Sáez, Head of the Communication Department, joined the presentation and explained, together with Katia, the European MAMEC Project: introduction, objectives, results, methodological guide , innovation and sustainability.
Then, it was the turn of four enterprising mothers who told their testimony: two of them have been with their project for several years, and the other two were assistants of the MAMEC Course that we carried out last November of 2017 and, thanks to this course, they were encouraged to start their own business.
Covadonga García-Solans, the first speaker, is Managing Partner of “García-Solans Tax Advisors”, a company that began alone several years ago at home, while taking care of her children. Despite her difficulties, she was able to move her business forward and currently, with four children, she has an office in the center of Madrid, with employees already working with her. A great testimony!
María Pascual, the second speaker, is the founder of “Catering Las Marías” (the catering service that attended our event) and, due to personal problems that got in the way, she was able to get the necessary strength to start the business at the same time She took care of her husband and children. She has been a great fighter and, thanks to her courage and courage, she has been able to set up her catering and currently has many clients.
On the other hand, Marjore Urdaneta is the founder of “Mi Fiesta Guay”, a small company that is dedicated to birthday parties in a big way for the little ones. Their motivation is to make the children smile and to be happy on such a special day for them. It was not her idea at first, but it was launched and it takes very little time, but she is very happy.
Let’s hope it goes great and can move forward with this great project! The last one to speak was Magola Acosta, a mother woman who with four children has created “Magola’s Cake”, a service that makes incredible cakes. In addition to its excellent decoration, Magola said that every order they ask him puts his best effort to make it perfect. She had to bring her baby because she is still very small. A great example of an entrepreneur mother!
The four speakers were interviewed by a member of MAD for Europe and told about their difficulties, experiences and advice for future entrepreneurs. They made a very good presentation since the four of them were talking to each other and supporting each other.
We had a coffee-break where we had it with biscuits and had the opportunity to talk with both speakers and attendees.
At the end of the break, Ana Kovacs, a psychologist and entrepreneur who is part of the “Club de las Malas Madres” gave a lecture on how to face being a mother as well as an entrepreneur. He explained that everything is not perfect to have a child and that things are complicated (and much) along the way, but it is worth it. This presentation helped to understand that being a mother is already complicated, but if you reconcile it with being an entrepreneur, even more. But he also encouraged the speakers that we have to get ahead, be courageous and a very important issue: take care of mental health.
The next session was led by María García, Director of Programs of the National Confederation of Women in Equality, and Silvia Valmaña, spokesperson of the Group of Universities of the Popular Group. First, María spoke about “Conciliation as a right”, explaining which aids are provided in Spain to help these entrepreneur mothers and told their rights of the working mother, that everything has an impact on the birth rate since there are no laws to help, many women do not want to have children because they can not reconcile it with their work life.
The spokeswoman of the Popular Party, Silvia, defended the measures that her party defends and, together with María, they were discussing and sharing some similar ideas that benefit the well-being of women-entrepreneur mothers.
At lunch time, the food was great and it was to everyone’s taste and they were very satisfied.
After lunch, we present a video documentary with several photos of the entire MAMEC project during these two years: the beginning, the meetings in Croatia and Italy, the face-to-face course of the MAMEC in the four countries (Spain, Greece, Italy and Croatia) , photos of the project process…
To end the day, the last lecture was by Lourdes Fernández Molero, Director and Coordinator of cultural activities of the youth centers of the City of Madrid. Her lecture, entitled “The enterprising woman in Spain and in Madrid”, was very interesting since she explained the situation of women entrepreneurs in our country and showed some examples of women who, despite the difficulties, could set up their business from scratch.
The act concluded with a debate and conclusions of the act.