On 23rd September Enterprise Enfield welcomed the Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, Howard Dawber OBE, to an exclusive roundtable discussion on the topic of female entrepreneurship at its North London Business Hub based in Barnet and Southgate College in Southgate.  The invited group of Enterprise Enfield’s successful female founders shared their business journeys with the Deputy Mayor and joined discussions about specific challenges that women entrepreneurs face, the support that had made a real difference and what more could be done to help women-led businesses flourish and thrive in the future.

 

In 2019, the government’s independent review of female entrepreneurship, the Rose Review, stated that £250 billion could be added to the UK economy if women were to start and scale businesses at the same rate as men (£310 billion today). The gender gap is still significant, some of the particular challenges faced by women entrepreneurs include: access to funding and financial support; increasing business costs (premises, rates, employing staff); childcare & caring responsibilities and work-life balance.

 

Enterprise Enfield has been empowering people to start, grow and thrive in business for over 40 years. The government-approved enterprise agency has a special focus on female entrepreneurship - 62% of its clients are women and its bespoke start-up programmes for women have been running for over 19 years, inspiring hundreds of women to develop their ideas into viable businesses.  The impactful advice, guidance and training services have been instrumental in helping women across London take their first steps as well as empowering established owners to grow their businesses to the next level.

 

The female founders attending the roundtable session operate businesses from the boroughs of Enfield, Barnet, Haringey and Waltham Forest, and represent an eclectic range of sectors including: fashion boutiques; garden design/ build & gardening sessions for schools; nail salon services; vintage brooches; Afro chic home décor/clothing; Indian cookery school; yoga classes; performance artist; HR consultancy and mindset coaching.  Many have received awards in recognition of their business achievements.

 

In addition to the Deputy Mayor, the meeting was also joined representatives from other organisations with an interest in maximising business support services for female entrepreneurs, including: Local London, Enfield Council and London & Partners.

 

Enterprise Enfield CEO, Despina Johnson said: 

“We are delighted to welcome the Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth to our female entrepreneurship roundtable today - it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the successes of these fantastic female founders and hear their journeys – including how they have overcome barriers, what has helped them the most and what support would make the biggest difference going forward.

 

Enterprise Enfield is committed to continuing its support services to help women unlock their potential - enabling them to start, grow and develop viable, sustainable, resilient and successful businesses.”  

 

Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor for Business & Growth, said:

“London’s female entrepreneurs are making a real contribution to growth across the capital and it’s fantastic to meet so many women who are building and growing successful businesses.

 

“Enterprise Enfield has been supporting people to grow businesses for 40 years, and its focus on female entrepreneurship shows the real difference that targeted advice and support can make.

 

“The Mayor and I are committed to supporting businesses to succeed in every part of London, helping to create opportunities and drive growth as we build a better, more prosperous city for everyone.”

​

​​

Pictured in the group photo above are:

Back row left to right:

• Susanna, Paisio, Female Founder, Susanna Paisio (performance artist)

• Cathy, Underwood, Female Founder, Cathy Underwood Yoga

• Susan, Nguyen, Female Founder, The Nail Group Ltd

• Boyoon, Choi, Female Founder, GrowCrew CIC Ltd

• Forogh, Rahmani, Director, Local London

• Lisa, Seagroatt, Female Founder, HR Fit for Purpose

• Ela, Teague, Female Founder, Cook Eat Joy

• Mirjam, Makinde, Female Founder, Broadway Fashions Limited

• Kala, Paul-Worika, Female Founder, By Kala X

 

Front row left to right:

• Laura, Martins, Head of Inclusive Growth and Skills, Enfield Council

• Liz, Gjoni, Business Adviser, Enterprise Enfield

• Howard, Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor, Business and Growth, GLA

• Despina, Johnson, CEO, Enterprise Enfield

• Silvana, Xhameta, Female Founder, Silvana Boutique

• Audra, Daws Knowles, Female Founder, Audra's Brooches

• Desi, Christou, Female Founder, Desi Christou Coaching