Member Article

Achieve: successful women in business

Positive female role models are out there for businesswomen, but they need to be given more recognition was the overall message from delegates at the Achieve: International Women’s Day, North East Conference.

Organised by the Entrepreneurs Forum, the event brought together women from across the region to discuss the opportunities available to them, as well as the difficulties they may face on a daily basis.

Throughout the day, a number of inspirational speakers shared their personal business experiences, including Sara Murray, founder of Confused.com, Heather Jackson CEO of An Inspirational Journey and Fiona Cruickshank, founder of SCM Pharma.

Nicola Short, Executive Director of the Entrepreneurs Forum believes that the event will provide inspiration for women, whether they want to do more within their own corporate environment, develop their own brand or succeed as an entrepreneur.

“I think it is inherent that women have a culture of self-doubting, which is why we are trying to foster a culture of self belief within the Forum.

“As well as inspiring women, we believe the event will allow women to make connections with each other, so that they then ask each other for advice and help - ultimately this event is fast-tracking knowledge.”

While each individual at the event was a successful businesswoman in her own right, views of female expectations, capabilities and responsibilities differed vastly within the room. Sarah Davis, founder of Crafters Companion believes that women face more barriers than their male counterparts in the workplace.

She commented: “I think a women we have an awful lot more responsibility than men sometimes have, and it can be difficult when you are constantly reminded by media about the tiny proportions of women who are in in top business positions or who succeed as entrepreneurs.

“However, days like today can give us the opportunity to build up that confidence, and say ‘actually’ it’s not like that at all.”

Heather Jackson, chief executive of An Inspirational Journey, works closely with a number of international businesses to help them create better gender balanced management teams. While she supports the idea of encouraging more women to enter into top business positions, she believes that only by combining male and female skill sets will businesses fully recognise their potential.

“The only way forward now is to recognise that it’s skills and capabilities that lead us in whatever we’re doing.” said Heather.

“Actually men and women are equal but we’re different and never before has there been a time until now for women to be accepted as women within business, and for men to accept their roles as well, but to work together, using their skills and capabilities.”

Throughout the day, delegates engaged in frank discussion about the difficulties of setting up business. Kirsty Henshaw set up her frozen dessert business Worthenshaws as a single parent with very little money. She was keen to stress the importance of persistence and determination, to would-be entrepreneurs.

“I started with nothing,and I thought ‘oh, I will never be able to do this’, but persistence and passion really got me through.

“It’s a lonely place when you are setting up a business, and even if you’re the boss you’re still quite on your own, so events like this are good for interaction and a good boost really.”

The aim of the day was to encourage women to be inspired, make connections and share knowledge. While there is no doubt that this was achieved, it is even more important that the women who were in attendance spread this message, acting as ambassadors for otherwomen who are succeeding in business.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .