If you are a woman setting up a business, you will boost your chances of success by accessing the right networks and mentors.
Overview
More and more women are seeing self-employment as an attractive
career option and are choosing to set up their own business.
If you are a woman who is considering setting up a business, you
will boost your chances of success by accessing the right networks
and mentors. Speaking to other business women and working with
a mentor can help you develop your business idea. It will also
pinpoint strategies for growth.
Women into Business events are run by some local Business
Gateway offices. They give you the opportunity to exchange ideas
with other local business women and improve your business
skills.
This guide will help you to identify and access the support that
has been specially developed to help women in business.
How entrepreneurial are women in Scotland?
The Annual Population Survey 2009 indicates that the number of
women in self-employment in Scotland is around 31.3 per cent. The
survey also showed that 18 per cent of Scottish small and
medium-sized enterprise employers are women.
Many women work part time while setting up a business. This
gives them the chance to develop their business idea while reducing
the financial risk that may be involved.
Others work flexible hours in their new business. This allows
them to look after a home or fulfil other commitments while getting
the business off the ground.
If you are considering self-employment, it's important to
realise that there is plenty of support available for female
entrepreneurs.
Becoming a female entrepreneur
Running a business requires a range of skills. As well as
producing a product or delivering a service, you will need to deal
with finance, marketing, administration and legal issues. You may
also need to deal with recruitment, health and safety and other
specific areas.
Don't worry if you feel you are not equipped to handle all of
this - few people are. The good news is that all of these skills
can be learned and there are many courses available in Scotland.
Some of these have been developed specifically for women.
Networking can provide a key source of information and support.
It can help boost your reputation and gather new leads. Networking
can also improve your business performance and help develop your
knowledge and skills.
Successful female entrepreneurs often have particular personal
characteristics as well as business skills. They tend to
be highly motivated, energetic, tenacious and not afraid to
take risks.
But even armed with these qualities you should be prepared for
some setbacks along the way. Setting up a business can be difficult
and things don't always go as planned. However, with hard work and
awareness of potential problems, your business can be a
success.
Take advantage of the free advice available from your local
Business Gateway. Call the Business Gateway
Helplineon Tel 0845 609 6611.
Events and sources of support for women
If you're planning to start a business or are in your first two
years of trading, Women into Business events can
help you. You go through a series of practical business seminars
and gain access to business advisers and a network of like-minded
people.
Women into Business events are run by some local Business
Gateway offices. The seminars cover subjects such as marketing,
e-business, finance, business planning and customer management.
There are many benefits to attending Women into
Business events. Meeting regularly will:
increase your business skills and knowledge
widen your network
build your confidence
create opportunities
This can help:
motivate you to get your business started
increase your chance of growth and survival
Attending these events and participation in seminars or training
is free.
Women into Business events give you the opportunity to exchange
ideas with other local business women and improve your business
skills.
Other sources of support
There are many regional women's
business clubs in Scotland where you can discuss your business
ideas with other female entrepreneurs.
The everywoman website offers resources,
networking and training for female entrepreneurs.
Prowess is a network of
organisations and individuals who support the growth of women's
business ownership.
Funding
Some organisations offer grant schemes specifically for
women who want to start or grow a business.
