This week on Mum Means Business, I’m joined by actor, voice artist and founder Kate Okello Tarrant, also known as Mrs. OT.

A millennial mum of three boys, Kate has appeared on countless stages across the UK and worked with household names including the BBC and Audible. But when the performance industry paused during lockdown, she began documenting her experience of motherhood online and something powerful happened.

Within weeks, her honest reflections reached tens of thousands of women. The conversations that followed led her to train as a breastfeeding consultant, become a pre and postnatal advocate and create The Mum Retreat - a series of nurturing events centred on maternal mental health and wellbeing.

From intimate candlelit evenings to expert-led workshops, Kate now curates powerful spaces where women can gather, speak honestly and feel seen. Her work is rooted in vulnerability, connection and a belief that there is joy to be found in failing publicly.

💡 “We need to dismantle the societal conditioning that other women are a threat.”

In this energising and deeply honest conversation, we explore:
✨ Kate’s journey from actor to founder of The Mum Retreat
✨ The myth of overnight success and what really happens behind the scenes
✨ Navigating imposter syndrome when stepping into leadership
✨ The social conditioning that teaches women to compete rather than connect
✨ Transforming envy into empowerment
✨ The burden of stoicism in motherhood
✨ Embracing vulnerability online and in real life
✨ Why failure can be a powerful catalyst for growth

We also talk about the scarcity mindset that keeps women playing small and what becomes possible when we actively choose connection over competition - in motherhood, in business and in life.

About Kate Okello Tarrant:
Kate Okello Tarrant, also known as Mrs. OT, is an actor, voice artist and founder of The Mum Retreat, a series of maternal wellbeing events designed to create safe, supportive spaces for mothers.

After building an engaged online community during lockdown, Kate expanded her work into breastfeeding consultancy, advocacy and in-person gatherings focused on maternal mental health. She was recently recognised as 'Best Maternal Mental Health & Wellbeing Events UK' at the GHP Women’s Health Awards.

Through her retreats, social media presence and public work, Kate is passionate about helping women feel less alone and more connected.

Visit her website or follow her on Instagram @_mrsot to learn more.

About The Host:
I'm Victoria Phipps – a Mum of two, family photographer, charity co-founder, marketing person and now podcaster! 🎙️

I was raised by a nurturing Mother and an entrepreneurial Father and have inherited traits from both, so the tension between ambition and motherhood is one I grapple with on a daily basis!

I’m fascinated to hear the stories of other women on a similar path, who are striving to build thriving businesses whilst being present for their children. It's a tough juggle, but I hope the conversations shared on this podcast help Mums in business feel less alone and inspired to keep going in pursuit of their dreams.

Head to the Mum Means Business Podcast website for full show notes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topics discussed in this conversation, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @victoriaphippsmbe or @mummeansbusinesspodcast.

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35: Connection Over Competition and Championing Women with Kate Okello Tarrant