Meet Nina Roberts – The Barrister Balancing Business, Motherhood, and Mental Health.
In our latest spotlight on self-employed women, we speak with Nina Roberts, a barrister at 1EC Barristers in London, who has made her mark in contentious probate, property, and commercial law. With over 17 years in the field, Nina knows a thing or two about independence, resilience, and self-employment’s unique challenges. Here, she shares her journey with AV Well.Hub and her thoughts on why community support can make all the difference.
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS, AND WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING?
“Barristers are traditionally self-employed, so I didn’t have much choice in that aspect,” Nina laughs. “But from a young age, I was drawn to self-employment. Growing up, I watched my parents run their own fish and chip shop. Their independence inspired me, so when it came to deciding on my career path, the autonomy of being a barrister felt like the right fit. It allowed me the flexibility to manage my own time, which is invaluable.”
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE FACED AS A SELF-EMPLOYED WOMAN, AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME IT?
“The biggest challenge was returning to work after my son was born. Beforehand, I couldn’t have imagined the impact a child would have on my working life. My maternity leave gave me a glimpse, but adjusting to work-life with a little one was a lot of trial and error. Finding a balance in managing workloads, childcare, and client communication was overwhelming. It’s taken time, but after seven years, I feel like I’m in a rhythm that works for me.”
HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING WHILE RUNNING A BUSINESS?
“My daily dog walks force me to step outside, breathe, and reset. And when the stress starts creeping in, I schedule a yoga class. It’s my go-to for staying balanced and grounded.”
HOW DO YOU BALANCE WORK AND PERSONAL LIFE AS A BUSINESS OWNER?
“Balancing work and life is always a priority, but my clients’ needs often take the lead. I regularly carve out ‘life review’ sessions in my calendar to reflect and recalibrate what’s important to me. Some months, work takes precedence, but those check-ins ensure I’m not losing touch with what truly matters.”
HOW IMPORTANT IS HAVING A SUPPORT NETWORK FOR FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS, AND WHERE HAVE YOU FOUND YOURS?
“Being self-employed is liberating but can be lonely, so support networks are essential. I have fantastic colleagues at the Bar who understand the industry, and we’re always there for one another. Our chambers model fosters camaraderie, and outside work, I attend networking events and have a group of ‘mum friends’ in related fields.”
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN CONSIDERING SELF-EMPLOYMENT?
“Seek solid financial advice and prepare financially more than you think you’ll need—it’s worth the peace of mind.”
HOW DO YOU SEE AV WELL.HUB HELPING FEMALE FOUNDERS LIKE YOURSELF?
“AV Well.Hub is a godsend, and I’ll be joining! The Bar is very supportive, but we lack the corporate benefits AV Well.Hub offers—all under one roof. Having access to those resources is game-changing.”
Are you a female founder wanting to know more about the AV. Well.Hub?
The AV Well.Hub was created by Amy Huskisson, a female founder herself, that has spent 16 years working in psychology, taking on roles in the community and hospital settings and then ending up supporting corporate businesses with their workplace wellbeing strategy. After becoming self employed, she recognised the limited availability of wellbeing support for women in business and wanted to bridge the gap.
The AV Well.Hub aims to serve the unique needs of self-employed women and female founders. Our membership offers women access to high-quality, corporate-level benefits, all specifically designed to support the realities of self-employment. From mental health resources to networking opportunities and expert-led workshops, we make sure that members have the tools and support they need to balance wellbeing and business success. With inspiring talks, exclusive resources, and access to a community of like-minded entrepreneurs, AV Well.Hub is about empowering women to thrive—personally and professionally.
Discover more about the AV Well.Hub by visiting our website or signing up to our waitlist to grab a spot in our January cohort of female founders.
Contact:
AV Well.Hub Founder – Amy Huskisson
Email: amy@avwellbeing.co.uk