Next up in our series of inspiring women who have demonstrated loud and clear that girls can, and do grow into women who change the world is Emma Cleary. Emma is the founder and Director of Flexibility Matters, a specialist recruiter in flexible working.
Growing up, I didn’t question why my brother was sent to public school while I, as a girl, stayed home.
It wasn’t until I grew older that I began to recognise the significance of these decisions.
My journey since then, from teaching to corporate life, and ultimately to starting my own business, has been shaped by the belief that flexibility can empower women to thrive, both personally and professionally.
Parents, especially mother, crave flexibility.
After teaching PE and Humanities for three years, I explored the world, indulging in travel and sport, before settling into a career in publishing. A decade later, I found myself in Sussex, raising my three children.
The desire to return to work was strong, but commuting to London wasn’t feasible with a young family.
Volunteering at local charities helped me realise that many parents, especially mothers like me, craved flexibility in their work-life balance.
That’s when I discovered a recruitment franchise, Ten2Two, focused on school-hours-based roles and flexible working options.
It gave me the opportunity to rebuild my confidence, and after five years, I took an even bigger leap, founding Flexibility Matters.
It was scary but incredibly empowering to finally be doing things on my own terms.
The pandemic made flexibity the norm.
The pandemic, while a challenging time for everyone, proved pivotal in my mission. Suddenly, remote working became the norm, and flexible work options were embraced by businesses that had never considered them before.
This was the perfect opportunity to educate companies about the lasting benefits of flexible roles. I was able to share my passion for flexibility, showing how it could enhance productivity, job satisfaction, and, ultimately, people’s lives.
For me, success isn’t just about business milestones; it’s about helping others thrive.
Every role I find for someone who’s struggling to balance work and life feels like a personal victory. Every business that integrates flexible working into its culture takes us one step closer to a future where work-life balance is not a luxury but a standard.
Organising the #FlexForward events, which started as small virtual meetings in 2019 and grew into major gatherings like #FlexForwardBrighton in 2023, has been a highlight. These events bring together business leaders and HR professionals who are committed to making flexible working a reality for their employees.
It’s been an honour to be part of that conversation and see how far we’ve come. I’ve learned that setbacks can be transformative.
When things get overwhelming, I remind myself to step back, breathe, and tackle challenges one step at a time. My mantra is simple: if you make a mistake, own it, learn from it, and move on.
In my business I try to make each candidate feel valued and heard.
I try to live by my code, which is to treat people as I would hope to be treated. Sadly, not everyone is kind, but stay true to who you are.
My hope is that young women, like my 18-year-old daughter, will believe in their power to shape their futures. If you believe that what you are doing is right, for you, your family, the planet, stick to it and keep doing it consistently.
Learn and ask as many questions as you can and say yes to opportunities even if they seem scary. It’s the best way to learn and grow.
If you share Emma’s passion for empowering women and the next generation, please join our email list. Together, we can provide opportunities, and support to young girls as they build their futures with confidence and resilience.
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