Business support for Women

On Wednesday 29 October 2008 Business Link Surrey hosted a Prowess UK Women's Enterprise Study Visit

The aim of this study visit was for the working party to see the type and range of business support offered to UK women entrepreneurs and to meet real business women telling their story on the trails and tribulations of starting and growing a successful business.


Karen Skidmore and I were the Showcase case studies of women that have been through the 'system' and we had the chance to tell our story from 'birth to growth'. Specifically how business support did or did not support our needs and the lessons learnt.


On the day SEEDA were on hand to discuss the regional vision in relation to women looking to go into business, specifically SEEDA set itself a target of increasing women owned businesses in the South East to 10.000

There was a detailed discussion on the sustainability of networks a practical Illustration of programmes that work effectively across the Region as well as an understanding of the barriers and the successes of starting up in business in the UK including how easy or hard it is to access the right type of support.


There was only one man amongst the delegates Paul Davidson: Chief Executive - Bolton Business Ventures Ltd www.bbvonline.net
He was very keen to understand the right ways to encourage women to support women looking into get into business.


There was a general feeling that strong role models for women looking to go into business are a good idea, but then this threw up some challenges. Who and what makes for an ideal strong role model for women?

Is it some one like Karen and I or someone like the late Anita Roddick?

What about the Press, do they have a role to play in promoting women's enterprises? If so what should that be?



Ethnic Supplies

View my page on Business Fights Poverty >>