The mums and daughters building businesses together
When Harriet Maguire organised a surprise party for her mother’s 60th birthday, she found inspiration for a new business venture. However, she sought her mother’s guidance to develop the idea further.
"I couldn't find a company that was able to organise it all," said the 27-year-old from Woolton in Liverpool.
"My mum has always done this kind of thing so I thought we could really make a business out of this."
Harriet’s mother, Angela, had extensive experience in event organisation, having hosted charity fundraisers annually for nearly thirty years. Drawing on this expertise, Harriet devised a business plan to establish a company offering event planning, coordination, and styling services—a comprehensive solution for those arranging parties and events.
She presented her concept to Angela, who fully supported the initiative, leading to the creation of The Events Agency.
'The trust factor'
"Don't get me wrong it's testing at times, but I feel like now we've really got a good balance," said Harriet.
Collaborating on a business with a family member is not a path suited to everyone. However, for Harriet and Angela, their mother-daughter relationship has been instrumental in shaping their enterprise.
Similar sentiments are shared by Jane and Chantelle Joseph, a mother-daughter team from West Derby. They operate Regal Entertainments, specialising in pantomime, plays, and family entertainment, and also manage St Helens Theatre Royal.
"She's my first call of the morning and my last call at night," said Chantelle.
"We talk about everything from work through to what every mother and daughter talk about.
She really is my best friend, my idol."
Chantelle, aged 40, attributes her passion for theatre to her mother, recalling attending rehearsals as a child and witnessing Jane’s dedication as an assistant director for Aladdin.
'We do it together'
"It's all I've ever known really because mum's been in the entertainment industry all her life as well," Chantelle said.
"I've literally grown up in a theatre trunk."
Now working side by side, their partnership emphasizes teamwork.
"Mum spends a lot of time on the creative side of the productions," said Chantelle.
"I do the everyday running of the theatre, but any kind of creative decisions that I make with regards to casting or buying a new piece of scenery or having some costumes made, we do it collectively and we do it together."
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
