Ditching the 9–5: How One Mum Built a Flexible Finance Career

Work It Like A Mum

In this episode of Work It Like a Mum, I sit down with Daniella Wainwright, founder of Wainwright Consulting. Daniella shares her journey from working in large corporate finance roles to starting her own business, offering fractional Finance Director (FD) services to growing companies. We discuss why she made the transition, how she built her client base, and why she’s passionate about helping businesses thrive without the overhead of a full-time finance director.

Daniella also discusses the personal motivations behind her career change, including the desire for greater flexibility to spend time with her children. She explains how she overcame the challenges of starting her own business, the unexpected demand for her services, and why she now mentors others looking to follow a similar path.

If you’re a finance professional thinking about making a shift, or a business owner curious about fractional FD support, this episode is packed with valuable insights

What We Cover:

• What fractional Finance Directors (FDs) do and how they support businesses
• Why she left corporate finance to start Wainwright Consulting
• How she quickly built a thriving client base using LinkedIn
• The benefits of flexible work and entrepreneurship
• How mindset work, including hypnotherapy, has supported her journey
• Why she now helps others transition into fractional FD role

Key Takeaways:

✅ Fractional finance is in demand – Businesses want high-level financial expertise without the cost of a full-time hire.
✅ Authenticity attracts clients – Being approachable and relatable has helped Daniela stand out.
✅ LinkedIn is a game-changer – Strategic networking helped her land clients fast.
✅ Flexibility is possible – Entrepreneurship allowed Daniela to balance career and family life.
✅ Mindset matters – Confidence and personal growth are key to success.

Why You Should Listen:

Thinking about leaving corporate life for something more flexible? Curious about fractional finance and how it can benefit businesses? In this episode, Daniella Wainwright shares how she built a thriving consultancy, why authenticity attracts clients, and how mindset work has helped her grow—both personally and professionally. If you’re a finance professional considering a change or a business owner in need of financial strategy, this one’s for you!

Show Links :

Connect with Daniella Wainwright Here

Visit Daniella’s Website Here

Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts Here

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Work it Like A Mum (00:00:00)

2. Meet Daniela Wainwright & Her Business (00:01:57)

3. Transitioning from Corporate to Consulting (00:05:42)

4. Finding Clients & Growing a Team (00:11:56)

5. The Mindset Advantage & Growth Thinking (00:23:28)

6. Bringing on Employees & Finding Balance (00:32:08)

7. Future Plans & Wellbeing Focus (00:41:42)

8. Episode Closing (00:46:13)