7 March 2021|Latest Posts, Meet the Successful Founder
Dr Chen Davies is the founder of Latchaid, an app to help new mums who are experiencing difficulty with the “latching” aspect of breastfeeding. As well as interfering with the mother-child bonding process, an inability to latch can also cause serious physical and mental issues for the new mother. Chen’s background is fascinating. She’s an expert in graphic design and was part of the Oscar and Bafta winning visual effects teams on Hollywood blockbusters Gravity and Blade Runner 2049.
However, after giving birth she herself had huge problems trying to get her child to latch for breastfeeding, which led to her spiralling into post natal depression. She found very little in the way of support or advice from the health authorities, and when she researched deeper found this to be a massive issue in wider society. This led her to start Latchaid, which in addition to offering community help, support and guidance for breastfeeding mothers also features 3D imaging to help mothers who are trying to get their newborns to latch on.
What are your 5 top tips for entrepreneurial success?
Pursue your passion, break barriers, and be resilient – you can really make a positive difference to the world using your expertise, creativity, strengths in business and social innovation
You don’t need to have a business degree to become an entrepreneur – I transformed from a computer scientist to an entrepreneur through joining business support programmes, learning from my mentors, team members, and fellow entrepreneurs, and by not afraid of making mistakes.
If things take a bit longer it doesn’t matter – a lot of work goes on before useful things come. Like Chinese bamboo – it can be underground for four years, then it grows hugely in year five. Everything doesn’t have to be done now. But, if you don’t believe in it, no one else will – so pace yourself to get it done.
Surround yourself with people who believe in you and your cause and achieving success with a strong support network.
Starting your own business doesn’t mean that you need to give up your day job from day one – I founded LatchAid during maternity-leave, took my baby in a sling to business meetings, and since then juggled a demanding day-job, a growing start-up, and a young family with formidable hard-work and dedication.
Who are the 5 women who inspire you the most?
Ada Lovelace
Marie Curie
Florence Nightingale
Audrey Hepburn
Jucinda Ardern
What is your favourite saying/inspirational quote?
“Don’t be afraid to try your best but still fail because trying your best is already a success on its own!”
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