2025 Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs

Celebrate Graduation!

​​Huge congratulations to our 2025 ‘Inspiring Women’ who celebrated their graduation on Thursday 3rd July having completed our RSA Trust Inspiring Women Start Up Programme - a 6-month package of support providing participants with the essential business knowledge, skills and confidence to launch their own businesses.  The women attended a celebratory lunch at the at the luxurious West Lodge Park Hotel in Enfield and were presented with their certificates by Head of Inclusive Growth and Skills, at Enfield Council, Laura Martins.​

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Now in its 18th year, our Inspiring Women Start Up Programme has helped over 450 women gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to launch & grow successful businesses!  Over the course of 6 months, the 17 participants on this year's course learnt about all aspects of running a business including: creating a business model; conducting market research; legal requirements; finance and tax; digital marketing and selling online- including making videos. All the support, including webinars, seminars and 121 advice, is FREE as it is funded by local Enfield based charity, the RSA Trust.   

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The Graduation Ceremony was attended by RSA Trustees, and guest speakers included former 2013 graduate, Gladys Mintah, founder of home care provider, NatGab Services Ltd. Gladys shared her amazing business journey with the attendees - since launching the business 12 years ago the domiciliary service provider has grown substantially, employing over 100 staff with premises in both Enfield and Dunstable.  2025 graduate, Tara Grant, also shared how the programme's valuable information, advice and support had helped her develop her ideas and successfully launch her Virtual Assistant business this year. 

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This year’s graduate business ideas cover a whole range of sectors including: youth sport photography; virtual administration; fashion rental and online fashion sales; personal styling; gardening and growing service; real estate; importing African foods; professional development consultancy; a Caribbean/Shisha Lounge Bar; photography; web-based social networking; retail of African food produce; a mobile app to help organise last minute trips; marketing services, an online platform for health products and a business selling lacto-ferments and running fermentation classes/workshops.  

 

Over 65% of this year's graduates have either already started trading or have registered their business.  Enterprise Enfield CEO, Despina Johnson said:

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"Now in its 18th year, our flagship RSA Trust Inspiring Women Start Up Programme has empowered women to unlock their enterprise potential and inspire them to develop their fledgling ideas into viable and sustainable businesses.  We are so proud of our 2025 graduates and congratulate their achievements completing the course. There is a lot to learn when first starting out in business - but with the expert advice, guidance and support gained through the course, the women are now best placed to move forward with confidence and motivation to achieve all their dreams and goals.  We look forward to following their business journeys and future successes!"

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​The next RSA Trust Inspiring Women Start Up Programme will commence in February 2026 (subject to funding).  The programme is open to any women resident in Enfield, Waltham Forest and Haringey who are thinking of starting a business. Women who wish to register to receive an application form to apply for the next course should complete the online form on the link. 

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