Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs Celebrate at Graduation Event!
Twenty budding entrepreneurs graduated as ‘Inspiring Women’ on Tuesday 19th July, 2016 having completed an intensive six-month business training, mentoring and advice course run by Enterprise Enfield. The 2016 RSA Trust Inspiring Women Programme participants were invited to a graduation lunch and presentation ceremony held at the West Lodge Park Hotel in Enfield where they were presented with their graduation certificates by one of the RSA Trust Directors, Michael Polledri MBE, also CEO of Lee Valley Estates.
The RSA Trust Inspiring Women Programme, delivered by Enterprise Enfield, is now in its ninth year - and has now helped over 170 women looking to start their own businesses. The scheme, which is predominantly funded by The RSA Trust, provides women with a unique opportunity to develop their knowledge, skills and business acumen to enable them to start up and run their own businesses successfully. 12 participants in this year’s programme have now started trading, these businesses include: a community youth organisation; a mobile hairdressing at events service; retail businesses selling handmade jewellery and gift hampers; a cleaning service; a counselling service and a coffee shop. Participant Sue Zaidman recently opened her dream coffee shop, Louis’ Coffee Stop, in Bush Hill Park, in June with the support of the programme, she says:
“The course has been outstanding, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is thinking of doing it to go ahead. Where else would you get the chance to complete business training free - thanks to the very generous sponsorship from The RSA Trust? It's covered marketing, social media, financial forecasting, core values and many other useful tools. I even managed to make it through the basic bookkeeping course - something I was absolutely dreading!
I have developed more business confidence and learnt to trust my instincts more. I have met an amazing group of women, we have forged strong friendships and a great support network. The overriding thing I will take from the course is the motivational aspect of pushing myself and believing in myself. I still find it hard to take the first step but now I have the tools to finish the journey!”
On the course, participants learn about all aspects of running a business including business planning, bookkeeping, marketing, website development and social media. In addition, the programme covers areas of personal development such as presentation skills and selling to decision makers - enabling participants to gain the confidence required to develop and grow their businesses effectively.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration & Business, Cllr Alan Sitkin said: “Enfield Council is doing everything it can to encourage women to start up new businesses in the borough by facilitating excellent training and business support. In addition to supporting gender equality, it’s about targeting practical assistance and advice to women in Enfield who want to work for themselves.
“I would like to congratulate Enterprise Enfield which has worked, for a number of years now, offering help to many local women who are now running their own successful businesses, and look forward to meeting this year’s successful candidates.”
Enterprise Enfield will be running a fully funded Inspiring Women Programme starting in January 2017. All the support will be provided free as the programme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Recruitment for the programme will take place from September - November 2016 - check this page for details.
