**Stib Meets…**
‘Women are capable of everything’ believes the inspirational Monica Costa, founder of London Mums.

A creative and energetic mumpreneur, Monica is the founder of London Mums, the free, independent peer support group for mums based in London. Set up in 2006 after the birth of her son, London Mums now has over 200,000 members and counting. It started as an organisation run by mums for other mums and children but with the advent of social media it has transformed into a multi-platform media outlet including a quarterly print magazine distributed for free at selected supermarkets in London, family friendly venues as well as businesses across London.
Fluent in six languages, Italian born Monica, tells us about why the ultimate task of motherhood inspired her to set up London Mums, how she dreams of one day being a filmmaker and her simple but brilliant five second rule for picking yourself up!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a journalist and here I am. But I remember that at five I said that I wanted to be a Barista because that would give me the chance to chat to so many different people every day. Well, somehow that is not very far from a journalist’s day to day work (wink).

What advice would you give yourself as a child?

If you don’t ask, you don’t get. I have often been too gentle and I haven’t push through when opportunities came along. I am now following the five second rule and I don’t hold back any more. At the beginning I also made the mistake to always say yes and not prioritising well. I have learnt the lesson the hard way.

What was your 'big idea' which inspired you to set up your business?

When I was in my 20s I wanted to be a journalist and interview the most inspirational people on the planet. I have kind of fulfilled my dream. I did not want to be a journalist who writes a negative story, though. I always saw myself as the woman who bears the good news and positive stories. So I had to get my own stories out because negative news get more attention. When I had a child I ‘discovered’ the world of ‘mums’ which was truly fascinating. Women are capable of everything and motherhood is the ultimate task. So, I thought I’d start writing about that ….

Call me greedy but I have a few other dreams including publishing a couple of books including cookery books, presenting a TV show about Italy to showcase what Italian food / Italy really is all about. Ah, making my own film would also be my dream, maybe in my next life…

What do you say to yourself when you need a confidence boost?

I use the five second rule to pick myself up. Five, four, three, two, one, action! Sometimes it is just a matter of thinking too much about your own mistakes and not looking at your successes.

What's your favourite Stib word and why?

My favourite Stib word is world Changer! I love the quote by Gandhi: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

I have never been too good to conform and I have always swam against the current so I consider myself a world changer in spirit. Whether I will manage to change the world, it is still to be seen. Watch this space!

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Stib Meets...Monica Costa