Mums in Tech ft. Rebecca Worsley
As part of our ‘Mums in Tech’ series, we caught up with Rebecca Worsley, Founder & MD of Rainy City Agency.
The purpose of our 'MotherBoard’ content series is to highlight incredible working mums within tech, as well as individuals and businesses that are supportive and progressive within their approach to creating more inclusive tech teams for women.
Firstly, can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your current role?
I started the agency over 8 years ago and am proud to be the first female founder of a Shopify Plus agency in Europe. As founder/MD, my role is focused on driving the agency forward with ambitious growth plans and being the visionary for the agency. A lot of my time involves working closely with my leadership team and pushing forward with our goals. I’m also responsible for new business so I handle all of our sales calls.
If you could sum up what it’s like being a working mum in tech in one sentence, what would it be?
The craziest, most challenging and mental experience, but so much fun.
How do you find the balance between your career and motherhood?
I don't think I've found it yet. It's an area I'm still trying to figure out. My little boy is 2 years old, and I went back to work when he was only a few weeks old. The reality is that you can't do it all and something always gives. I'm trying to find the balance between being super present when I'm with him, cherishing the moments whilst he’s still young, and simultaneously running a 7-figure business and hitting our goals and targets. The biggest lesson I’m learning is to trust my team and lean on people who are better than me at certain things.
What has been your greatest challenge as a working mother in tech?
My greatest challenge has been trying to do it all and not appear to be less of a "worker" because I have a child. I’ve found myself saying yes to almost everything to appear that I can run a business, be a good mum and have it all together, and it’s definitely a struggle. This pressure to be everything to everyone leads to guilt and exhaustion.
“I’ve found myself saying yes to almost everything to appear that I can run a business, be a good mum and have it all together, and it’s definitely a struggle. This pressure to be everything to everyone leads to guilt and exhaustion.”
What skills have you developed as a mother that have helped your work life?
I think I have more empathy and understanding. Before I had a baby, I was very to the point and quite forthcoming, but now I’ve taken a step back and think about people's reasonings before making a judgement on their ability to perform. I’ve always been efficient and organised, but now I have to manage mental notes for the baby (nap times, feed times, etc.) on top of everything else, and I'm able to recall information like never before.
When you were returning to work, what one thing helped you / would have helped you the most?
My return to work wasn't very normal as I started back 3 weeks after my son was born. What would have helped the most is ensuring my leadership team had enough support to be able to manage everything seamlessly while I was off. If there's a next time, I'd definitely put more of a focus into having the agency run without my heavy involvement.
What do you feel should be the top priority for employers who want to support working mothers better?
Implementing a really good and solid Maternity Leave Policy. Since having my baby, we've implemented a policy that offers 20 weeks full pay and 20 weeks half pay. This hopefully helps new mums not feel the pressure of returning to work so quickly.
Beyond that, supporting working parents requires:
Setting boundaries (e.g., turning off Slack after 6 pm).
Encouraging mothers to play to their strengths and focus on what they do best.
Making it easy to ask for help and lean on the team or network to lighten the load.
Any final words of advice for other mothers in the Tech Industry?
You've got this. Remember, you can't be everything to everyone, and that's okay. Be kind to yourself, it doesn't make you any less capable.
“You've got this. Remember, you can't be everything to everyone, and that's okay. Be kind to yourself, it doesn't make you any less capable.”
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