Mobster Susie's Journey: From Corporate Commercial Negotiator to Parents' Champion - Here’s her Return to Work Strategies for mums

Hi Mobsters! We’re thrilled to partner with Susie Powis, founder of Hi Ho Coaching, who will be bringing us a weekly blog packed with insights and strategies. Susie is a fellow mum and MOBster, and her mission is to support mums who are navigating the transition back to work after maternity leave. Get ready for practical tips, expert advice, and plenty of encouragement!

Susie, a mother of two, has transformed her 20 years of corporate negotiation experience into a mission that's changing how parents navigate their return to work. After climbing the retail buying ladder to Head of Trading and Commercial, Susie experienced firsthand the challenges that come with balancing a demanding career and family life.

“Returning to work after maternity leave was overwhelming," Susie reflects. "It felt lonely, scary, and overwhelming being away from my baby while also feeling like an outsider in a once-familiar team. With little to no support from management, I was thrust straight back into work as if nothing had changed, yet I couldn’t have felt more different. 

Through my own experience and countless conversations with other mothers, both personally and professionally, I now know it doesn’t have to be this way, and it shouldn’t be."

What struck Susie most was seeing talented professionals struggle after returning from parental leave, was their lack of confidence. “I am yet to meet a mother who feels confident about their return to work. Some may be excited, some feel apprehensive but no-one has ever said they feel confident, which has always struck me as incredibly sad. These women who have not decreased their knowledge, experience or value by having a child, in most cases they have increased so many facets of what make them an incredible employee, so why weren’t they feeling it?”.  This observation became the catalyst for Hi.Ho.Coaching, a service designed to empower parents with practical strategies for a confident return to work.

More Than Just Coaching: A Practical Approach

With her background in buying and commercial negotiation, Susie brings a unique blend of corporate expertise and personal understanding to her coaching. Her approach isn't just about boosting confidence - it's about equipping parents with actionable strategies that work in the real world.

"The corporate environment doesn't always accommodate the realities of parenthood," Susie explains. "I help parents navigate this terrain with practical tools; from maximizing their KIT days to strategically using accrued annual leave, and confidently negotiating flexible work arrangements."

This practical focus sets Hi.Ho.Coaching apart. Susie doesn't just offer encouragement; she provides parents with the knowledge and skills to advocate for themselves effectively, drawing on her two decades of negotiation experience.

Supporting Parents at Every Stage

Hi.Ho.Coaching supports parents before, during, and after parental leave, addressing the full spectrum of challenges they face. Whether it's planning for maternity leave, staying connected during time away, or navigating the return, Susie's coaching creates a roadmap for success.

"Many parents feel anxious about maintaining their professional identity while embracing their new role as a parent," says Susie. "I help them see that these roles can complement each other - the skills you develop as a parent can enhance your leadership, and vice versa."

Through one-on-one coaching sessions, group workshops, and practical resources like her KIT Days Workbook, Susie creates multiple avenues for parents to access the support they need.

Changing Workplace Culture

Susie's vision extends beyond individual coaching. She also works directly with businesses to enhance their maternity and paternity benefits through structured coaching support, helping companies retain talented parents and create more inclusive workplaces.

"The businesses that support parents effectively gain a significant advantage," Susie notes. "They retain experienced talent, improve diversity at leadership levels, and create cultures where everyone can thrive."

A study by Ernst & Young noted that 95% of retention rates increased for returning mothers when they received return to work coaching. With almost 30% of new mothers leaving the workforce within the first year of returning, businesses can’t afford to continue to bury their heads in the sand. 

By offering negotiation and leadership training alongside her return-to-work coaching, Susie addresses both sides of the equation, empowering parents while helping businesses create better structures.

The Ultimate Negotiation Challenge

Running her own business while parenting is what Susie calls "the ultimate negotiation challenge" - one that she navigates using the very strategies she teaches her clients.

"I've had days where I've coached a client in the morning, managed a school run in the afternoon, and squeezed in a strategy call before bedtime," she shares. "It's a juggle, but setting boundaries, planning ahead, and advocating for what I need make all the difference."

This personal experience fuels Susie's passion for her work. She doesn't just teach theory, she lives the reality of balancing professional ambitions with family life every day.

A Vision for the Future

Susie's mission is clear: she wants every parent to feel in control of their return to work - not just surviving, but thriving. She envisions workplaces where maternity and paternity leave transitions are supported, not sidelined, and where parents continue to build the careers they deserve.

"When parents feel supported during this transition, amazing things happen," Susie says. "They don't just 'get through' their return, they succeed, grow, and often bring valuable new perspectives to their work."

If you're a parent preparing for maternity leave, currently on leave, or planning your return to work, Hi.Ho.Coaching offers the practical support you need. Visit www.hihocoaching.co.uk or follow @hi.ho.coaching to learn more about Susie's coaching services, workshops, and resources designed specifically for working parents.

Together, we can transform how parenthood and professional success coexist.