Women
encouraged to ‘cut it’ in the business world.
The
potential of female entrepreneurs is set to
be unlocked as part of a year-long recruitment
drive by the region’s leading high-growth
start-up initiative.
Mustard.uk.com
is actively targeting women in a bid to stimulate
the entrepreneurial culture and boost the West
Midlands economy in the process.
The
idea, which has been developed in conjunction with
Business Link and a number of partners, will provide
a series of specialist workshops and tailored assistance
to encourage and develop the skills needed for
women to start their own business.
Kul
Sanghera, Mustard.uk.com Project Director,
explained:
 “Research
has shown that female entrepreneurs who would
like to set up their own business face barriers
that prevent them from fulfilling their true
potential, such as demands on their time, family
responsibilities and workplace stereotypes.
In fact, just a quarter
of the UK’s self-employed workers are
women, and the West Midland’s has the
lowest rate in the UK.”
He
continued: “What we want to do is take
away these hurdles by offering a more flexible
approach, which gives them a chance to learn
valuable business techniques and explore routes
into self employment, with the emphasis very
much on high growth businesses.”
The
first of the three-day workshops was held in
January and attracted over
50 women. Further events are planned over the
next 3 months to tackle issues, such as raising
business aspirations, complimentary skills
matching and introductions into marketing,
planning and finance.
Importantly,
they will also address key skills, motivation,
confidence, self belief and access to finance
through sister programme ‘Route to Investment
(R2i)’.
“Each
session will be delivered using role models,
case studies and coaching skills to really
get the best out of individuals,” added
Kul.
“Furthermore,
the workshops will be held across the region
and will respond to the needs of women entrepreneurs
by avoiding school holidays, minimising travel
and offering flexible provision for people
with childcare and work commitments.”
Paul
Warwick, Coventry and Warwickshire Business Link
advisor and organiser of the events, is delighted
with the response so far:
“The
events have proven to be very popular, so we know
that there are women out there eager to set up
in their own businesses and become the entrepreneurs
of the future. Throughout the duration of the course,
we are able to help individuals formulate their
ideas, understand their motivations in business
and signpost other sources of business support
or finance.”
Those
attending the course have also been able to hear
from women who have already set up and succeeded
in their businesses. One speaker, Anita Jivan,
used Mustard.uk.com support to launch a training
and recruitment business in Warwick three years
ago and was on hand to offer practical advice on
accounts, marketing and business relationships.
Kul
concluded: “We know that if women set up businesses
at the same rate as men then we’d have an additional
150,000 start-ups every year. When you consider the positive
effect that this could have on the economy and employment
figures in the West Midlands alone, we have to find a
way of facilitating entrepreneurial activity amongst
women.
“There
are some wonderful entrepreneurs out there
and we are committed to making sure we give
them every chance to come forward and make
the most of their flair and vision.”
Managed
by Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Mustard.uk.com
has assisted over 2800 entrepreneurs in launching
high growth businesses.
In
addition to offering a range of specialist support,
the initiative has also played an instrumental
role in helping former MG Rover workers start their
own companies through the ‘FastStart’ programme.
Anyone wishing to express interest in future workshops should email: heidimacdougall@businesslinkwm.co.uk
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