Six tips to help women launch their own businesses as female entrepreneurs boost economy
SISTERS are doing it for themselves.
Today is International Women’s Day and research platform The Gender Index reports the UK is on course to have a million female-owned firms before 2025.
More than 250,000 women-led businesses have been created in the last 12 months.
This year’s IWD theme is Inspire Inclusion, and the statistics show ethnic minority-led companies see higher female representation in leadership, with one in five having a woman boss.
Jill Pay, of The Gender Index, hailed “a further step in the right direction in boosting female entrepreneurship”.
Neo Chatyoka grew up in South Africa and watched her gran making traditional lotions from plants.
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After moving to the UK, Neo created a plant-based cream to soothe her baby’s eczema and, with just £70 of ingredients, set up her firm, uhurubotanicals.co.uk.
Six years on, after receiving funding from Lloyds Bank, she has a factory in Wolverhampton and sells globally.
Neo, 38, said: “If you’re starting a business, there’s so much support from friends, banks, business groups. You just need to ask.
“I’ve also established the Formulation Academy to teach women about product development and manufacturing.
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“I work with them in a largely male-dominated sector to help women realise their passion for manufacturing.”
Want your own start-up? Michelle Ovens is founder of Small Business Britain and f:Entrepreneur, which celebrates female founders.
She said: “There has been a significant increase in the number of female entrepreneurs over the past few years — who make essential contributions to our economy and inspire so many along the way.”
Here are Michelle’s top tips . . .
Keep a sense of humour: Starting up is brilliant but hard work, so try to retain perspective.
Get a gang: Building a support network is vital.
Think about finance now: Most female founders don’t want to hand control to “man in suit” investors but do need finance. Put together a two-year proposal and chat to your bank.
Find help to plan: Work with an accountant or business mentor. Be brutally honest.
Be flexible: From adaptable business models to agile working, this mindset can help navigate unpredictable events.
LADIES, WE HAVE LIFT-OFF
ONLY five per cent of airline pilots are female, but a number of initiatives are helping more women into the job.
Captain Ruth Smith has worked at British Airways for 24 years and is now a training captain, helping people realise their ambition of flying.
Here she shares her top tips on how women can crack a career traditionally perceived as male . . .
You can’t be a super-woman every day: Striving to be the best we can, professionally and personally, is an important part of success, but it can be hard to juggle it all. As we achieve in one area of life, another may slip.
That’s OK – don’t be too hard on yourself.
Believe in yourself: Stay positive, cultivate confidence and be passionate. Don’t let impostor syndrome hold you back. Rise above any gender stereotyping – you’re there for a reason, so believe it.
Know your strengths and weaknesses: Be self-aware and work to self-develop. Find a role that plays to your strengths and makes you happy.
Support one another: A problem shared is a problem solved. You can learn from others’ experiences. Often just the act of being open and honest about any challenges you face will reassure you that you’re not alone. More often than not, you’ll be reminded you’re doing a fantastic job.
Be yourself: It will be far easier to achieve success and be happy if you are your authentic self.
EVRI LITTLE HELPS
DRIVE your career forward with delivery firm Evri.
Around 30 per cent of the parcel giant’s couriers are women, but they make up just three per cent of the firm’s HGV, LGV and van drivers, only a little above the industry average.
Now the firm is launching a series of initiatives, including apprenticeships, mentoring programmes and Driving Academy facilities across the country, to boost the numbers of women drivers in its ranks.
Lyn Warren, chief human resources officer, said: “The logistics industry has traditionally been male- dominated, but women have the talent to excel in this field.
“We’re removing barriers and creating opportunities.”
See evri.com/driver-academy
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JUST ASK, IT PAYS
WOMEN could be missing out on pay rises because they are less assertive than men in staking their claim.
New research from employment site TopCV found almost two in five males inflate their salary by talking the talk at a job interview, compared with just 23 per cent of women.
Similarly, two thirds of men surveyed said they would confidently quiz a co-worker about what they earned, while only 54 per cent of women would do the same.
Amanda Augustine, from TopCV, said: “Our survey reveals a confidence gap, with women consistently less likely to talk themselves up, even in environments like a job interview where you are expected to sell yourself.”
Jobspot
HOTEL and coach firm DAISH’S HOLIDAYS is recruiting for apprentices, ranging from business administrators and customer service specialists to managers in hospitality and operations. For details, see locomotivation.co.uk.
ALDI is creating 5,000 jobs this year, including vacancies for store assistants, managers and cleaners. For further details, and to apply, see aldirecruitment.co.uk.