How three inspiring Manc mums built an award-winning business

In the fast-paced world of parenthood, where routines can quickly become monotonous, three incredible women—Jo, Alice, and Hannah—have successfully carved out a new and exciting niche in the events industry.

They didn’t come from corporate backgrounds or business schools but found a way to create something that resonates with families across Manchester.

What started as a creative escape from the usual soft-play sessions for young children has blossomed into an award-winning enterprise, Our Kids Social (OKS).

Their story is a tale of female entrepreneurship, motherhood, and community building.

Because let’s be honest, mums are awesome

Our Kids Social

Like many great ideas, OKS began in response to a gap in the market, but it was also personal.

Jo, Alice, and Hannah were all new mothers, dealing with the joys and struggles of early motherhood. They found themselves frustrated by the lack of appealing activities for their families.

The options for child-friendly events in Manchester were limited, with soft play dominating the landscape.

While these spaces serve a purpose, the trio wanted more for themselves and their children—a way to engage with their little ones, while still feeling connected to their interests.

Jo recalled, “We attended a few events like baby raves, and while they were fun, they didn’t quite hit the mark for us.

“We thought we could do better, focusing not just on the rave aspect, but on creativity and collaboration.”

Rather than waiting for someone else to offer what they wanted, they took matters into their own hands, pooling their backgrounds in design and education to create an alternative: Our Kids Social.

What makes their events stand out is their commitment to collaboration, working with local groups, small businesses, and other parents to create fun, engaging events that cater to both children and adults.

A new kind of family day out in Manchester

What distinguishes OKS from many traditional children’s activities is the shared experience they promote between adults and kids.

This isn’t a case of parents standing on the sidelines while their children play.

Instead, OKS events invite the entire family to get involved, making memories together.

As Alice described it: “It’s not just about the kids tagging along to something aimed at the adults, or vice versa. It’s about coming together as a family, whatever that looks like for you, and having a great time together.”

The core of their events is music and creativity. From silent discos to arts and crafts, circus skills to storytelling, OKS offers a little bit of everything to keep children entertained, while parents can relax, socialise, or even join in on the fun.

Their events have grown in popularity, with themed seasonal celebrations becoming highlights for many families in the area.

Their New Year’s Eve daytime events are one of their most popular, selling out almost as soon as tickets go on sale.

As Jo put it: “Parents see New Year’s Eve differently when they have kids. You want to celebrate, but you also need to be home early. Our events let families have a great time together, then get home in time to relax.”

A surprise, but deserved success

When OKS first launched in 2016, the founders had no idea it would evolve the way it has.

They certainly didn’t anticipate starting a children’s party business.

“At first, I couldn’t think of anything worse than hosting children’s parties,” Jo laughed, “But now I’ve probably hosted so many, and loved every moment of it.”

Their unique brand of silent disco parties quickly became a hit, with up to four parties a weekend booked at times.

Despite not having formal business training, the trio learned quickly.

They sought out free business mentoring programs, attended workshops, and leaned on their network of fellow parents and small business owners for advice.

Building a community has always been at the heart of OKS’s success.

By connecting with local venues, artists, and creatives, they’ve built a loyal following that has helped spread the word about their events.

It’s a perfect example of how a business can grow organically through collaboration and community support.

One of the keys to OKS’s growth has been their willingness to adapt.

They’ve expanded into new areas, from managing large-scale family events at iconic venues like the Trafford Centre and Factory International to running lantern parades and festival bookings.

Their ability to pivot, find new opportunities, and keep things fresh has kept them ahead of the curve in an increasingly competitive family events market.

Handling the challenges of the ‘mum-juggle’

Running a successful business while being mothers hasn’t been without its challenges. All three founders still maintain their day jobs—Jo in design, and Alice and Hannah in education—while balancing the demands of parenthood and their growing business.

“The hustle and the juggle have been real,” Alice admitted.

“But we’ve been lucky to have strong support systems in place, from our partners and families to the community of parents who come to our events.”

Managing their time effectively has been crucial.

As any parent knows, spare moments are rare, so Jo, Alice, and Hannah have become experts at multitasking.

Whether it’s taking a three-way WhatsApp call while making dinner or squeezing in work between school runs, they’ve found ways to make it work.

“If there are any mums out there thinking of starting a business, I say go for it!” Jo encouraged.

“Being a parent actually makes you more organized and efficient. You find ways to make time for what matters.”

The power of Mums

The story of OKS is not just about creating a business—it’s about changing the narrative of what mums can achieve.

Jo, Alice, and Hannah exemplify the power of female entrepreneurship, proving that motherhood and business can go hand in hand.

They’ve built a thriving company, created lasting memories for thousands of families, and shown that it’s possible to pursue your passion while raising a family.

However, their journey has also highlighted some of the challenges faced by women in business, particularly in the events industry.

“We’ve always been open to collaboration and working with other businesses, but we’ve also seen the downside of ‘women supporting women,’” Alice reflected.

“It’s not always been true, and we’ve had to navigate some difficult situations.”

Despite this, they remain committed to helping other women succeed, just as they were supported when they were starting out.

OKS’s success is a reminder that with determination, collaboration, and the right support system, mums can achieve incredible things.

They’ve proven that motherhood is not a barrier to entrepreneurship—it’s a strength.

What have Our Kids Social got planned next?

Nine years into their journey, Jo, Alice, and Hannah are still passionate about growing their business and bringing more families together.

They’re constantly on the lookout for new venues, new collaborators, and new ideas to keep their events fresh and exciting.

Their recent partnership with Factory International on the “First Breath” event, which catered to children under four, is just one example of the innovative projects they continue to take on.

As they look to the future, they’re focused on expanding their reach and continuing to build their community.

If you have a venue you think would be suitable for these events, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]

OKS also have an exciting Spooktacular Social coming up at Freight Island, perfect for families looking to make the most of Halloween. On Sunday, 27th October, “Fright Island” will be packed with spooky fun for all ages.

Expect a full line-up, including DJ Helen, face-painting, a silent disco, and hands-on activities like Lego building, circus skills, storytelling, and forest school fun.

Plus, don’t miss the Cequin Circus fire show and DLAM’s monster mash-up on stage! Tickets always sell out, so grab yours early and get ready to dress to distress for a frightfully fun family day out!

You can find out more by clicking here

Creating something special

Whether it’s running large-scale festivals, collaborating with new brands, or simply bringing more families together for a “knees-up with your nippers,” Our Kids Social is here to stay.

In a world where parenting can often feel isolating, Jo, Alice, and Hannah have created something truly special.

They’ve built not just a business, but a community—a place where families can come together, have fun, and make lasting memories. And in doing so, they’ve shown that mums are, indeed, awesome.

How to see what Our Kids Social are up to

You can find out more about Our Kids Social by clicking here

You can also follow them on Instagram here and Facebook here