Member Article

It’s a women’s world

I wasn’t in the least surprised when I heard that women now account for a third of those in self employment.

This is because here at the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) the start up rate for our female clients stands at 44 per cent of the total, the highest record we have had for women going into business.

Between 2008 and 2011 in the UK alone women accounted for an unprecedented 80 per cent of the newly self employed and at present there are almost 1.5 million women running their own business.

Then I heard that on 8th March it is Women’s Day. No not a day for crafts, swapping recipes and general chit chat but a day to celebrate women’s empowerment, their economic, political and social achievements. This isn’t a new thing either, the earliest celebration of Women’s Day dates back to the 1900s.

Here at the BIC we have a team of experienced business advisers who help hundreds of clients start their own business and with a success rate that outstrips the national average with over 75 per cent of businesses continuing to trade into their third year its easy to see why those on the path to self employment come to us.

Not only that but we don’t have your stereotypical women in business; example of businesses we have helped include a female painter and decorator, a vintage style singer helping dementia sufferers, Reiki practitioner to sports therapy.

It would seem that women have never been in a more stronger position to lead, change and shape the economic, social and political landscape. The 21st Century has seen a dramatic shift in traditional family dynamics and as a result women are more independent, representing 42 per cent of the UK workforce and 55 per cent of university graduates.

What we do know is that entrepreneurship is hard for men and women alike but with the help of an experienced adviser offering practical support and advice your business can get off to the right start. So if you find yourself with a business idea but don’t know where to turn please contact the BIC 0191 516 6149 or email businesssupport@ne-bic.co.uk

Oh and on the 8th March let’s celebrate Entrepreneurial Day instead of differentiating between sexes. After all anyone, from any background can start their own business you just need the right support and determination.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Shirley Hermiston .