There are around 680,000 majority women-owned businesses in the UK generating £45 billion for the UK economy. Women’s Enterprise Day on 18th November 2009, part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, is all about celebrating successful female entrepreneurs, and inspiring more women to be the business leaders and owners of tomorrow by starting or growing their business.

In the East of England, women comprise approximately 29% of the self-employed population. However, with Business Link reporting that over half of the delegates attending their start-up workshops are female, an entrepreneurial trait and desire to be self-employed is growing amongst females in the region.

Jill Barnes, Deputy Chief Executive of Business Link in the East of England says: “Every day we work with and meet outstanding female entrepreneurs. Some may have a business idea and come to us for help to make it happen; others are already in business and want to grow. Days such as this are important, both in celebrating success and highlighting the brilliant women in our region who are contributing to the growth of the local economy.”

-Cape Gem

Carol Lovell who lives near Royston, founded her home business, Cape Gem in 2006. She is the exclusive importer of Mielie handbags from South Africa, and stocks only fashion accessories that are ethically sourced from the Cape region and that help support workers with decent pay and conditions. To help spread the Cape Gem word, Carol turned to Business Link and subsequently attended their PR for Virgins workshop. She will continue to work with her Adviser Sarah Hillman to realise her growth plans for the coming year, Carol concludes: “I still find it incredible that this amazing resource that is Business Link exists and that I have been provided with so much help to make my business a success”.

-Beetroute

Welwyn-based Claire Everett founded Beetroute to turn her passion for preparing nutritious and tasty food into a profitable reality. Claire launched her mobile catering service undeterred by a trip back to university, a remortgaged house and the refusal of a bank loan. However success began when a winning bid on eBay saw Claire become the proud owner of her business premises: a second-hand ice cream van, The Business Link website, workshops and one-to-one business advice have helped Claire to grow her business and protect her brand. The healthy mobile catering operation is now a popular ‘regular’ at the offices and industrial estates around Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield.

Lesley Crisp, Business Link Adviser for Women’s Enterprise says: “Many women across the region have decided that setting up a business offers them not only more control over their work-life balance, but also an opportunity to use their skills, talent and knowledge to their full potential. They also appreciate that by working for themselves they will reap the rewards of the time and effort that they put in, rather then contributing to someone else’s profits.

“On top of that, with unemployment increasing, many women have used redundancy as a kickstart to self-employment, rather than looking for another job. Although women often face more barriers than men when setting up a business we can help them gain the knowledge and confidence that they need with workshops, one-to-one business advice and networking events.”

FREE Events in Hertfordshire include:

• Link up Networking Event - 20/11/2009, 9.30-2.30 at the Cheshunt Marriott, Ware. Aimed at those in the pre-start phase of their business plus new businesses. Run in partnership with Herts Chamber of Commerce.

• Starting Your Own Business Workshops: 16/11/09, evening, Stevenage, 18/11/09, afternoon, Hemel Hempstead, 21/11/09, morning, Ware. Run by Business Link.

Other workshops ranging from ‘Business Ideas’ to ‘Running a Business from Home’ and ‘Planning and Developing a Website’ are also running at different locations throughout the week. For more information or to book a place on any of the events visit www.bookevents.org or phone the events booking line on 0845 601 1000.

For more information on Global Entrepreneurship Week visit the website www.gew.org.uk.