CALLING STAFFORDSHIRES FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS
Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) are coming to the Moorlands next month to deliver their award winning Opening Doors course. Having delivered the course in the area last autumn, it seems there are still many female entrepreneurs interested in starting their own enterprise.
“It is great to see so many women taking their first steps into self employment here in the Moorlands. The Opening Doors course not only helps to lay the foundations, but provides an opportunity to mix with likeminded women at a similar stage in their business journey which can be invaluable” states Sarah Roberts, Business Development Manager at WiRE.
WiRE are inviting females with an entrepreneurial spirit from across the Moorlands to attend their FREE award winning business start up course at Rudyard Lake Activity Centre, near Leek.
Funded by Business Link West Midlands, The Opening Doors course aims to give women the skills and confidence to put the foundations in place to start a new business. Since April 2009, the Opening Doors programme has helped over 150 women, from a variety of backgrounds in the West Midlands start a business.
The first session takes attendees through the initial steps in starting a business and also focuses on building confidence to get the idea off the ground. Day two of the course looks at creating a business plan- particularly focusing on the key areas of finance and marketing. The final session is a one to one with a business advisor, allowing attendees to ask questions specific to their business idea.
“Each day is packed with useful, practical advice and the chance to meet like-minded women at similar stages in their business ideas” states Sarah Roberts from WiRE.
One of the Moorlands success stories is a Calton based business run by Lyn Abraham who attended the WiRE Opening Doors course in 2008. Lyn, of Calton started Squeak Gift and Party which has developed rapidly to provide a range of cookery gifts for children, a variety of hand crafted porcelain products from wedding favours to beautiful hearts and unique cards and gifts.
“The Opening Doors programme provided me with much needed practical advice on business basics. The chance to share other people’s experiences and concerns of setting up a small business has proved very useful. WiRE creates a wonderfully supportive environment and the benefit of being able to tap into the knowledge within the group”, states Lyn. Squeak Gift and Party will be collaborating with two other local business women, Sheila Haswell of Freedom Flowers and Jackie Howard of Vintage Memories next month for a garden party. For further details see www.squeakgiftandparty.co.uk.
WiRE will be commencing the 3 day Opening Doors Course at Rudyard Lake Activity Centre, near Leek, ST13 8XB starting on Thursday 8th July, continuing with Day 2 on Thursday 15th July and completing the one to one business advice session on Thursday 22nd July. The sessions run between 9.00am and 3.00pm. The support of Opening Doors continues after the workshops with the provision of mentoring for businesses less than 12 months old.
WiRE Director, Fiona Davies believes it is an exciting time to be in rural business. “WiRE rural networking groups have continued to spring up across the country, despite the downturn and are overflowing with positive women, sharing ideas, contacts and business creating an overwhelming contagious energy and positivity. Each month, local networks run by local, volunteer business women offer support to approximately 800 female entrepreneurs.”
For more information about WiRE and the Opening Doors events contact info@wireuk.org or call 01952 815338. Places are limited. By visiting www.wireuk.org, you can find out more about Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) membership and how it can help support your business.
