Last week I took part in Women’s Enterprise Week 2024 and The Women’s Launch Lab incubator programme. Over a hundred people applied and ten of us were chosen, five within a start up category and five within a scale up category. It was so wonderful to be selected as part of such an important event and to have then won in my category feels like a real achievement!
Designed to support and encourage women to start their own business, NWEW (National Women’s Enterprise Week) is the brain child of entrepreneur Alison Cork MBE, in partnership with the British Library Business & IP Centre National Network and sponsored by Dorsett Hospitality International.
“Whilst we have come a long way, the fact that only one in four businesses is owned or led by a woman is a clear indication that there is more to do. Not only do women suffer, but so does the economy at large. My mission remains to help women achieve the parity they deserve, and further improve the position of women in the economy. Britain can only achieve its full economic potential when women realise theirs.”
Alison Cork MBE,
Founder of National Women’s Enterprise Week
I found out about the opportunity after completing the Growth Mentoring Programme with the British Library Business and IP centre and I’m so glad I applied! In the past I wouldn’t have called myself an entrepreneur, always describing myself a textile designer with my own business. Being part of Women’s Enterprise week has given me the confidence to now call myself one!
We had to present a three minute pitch in front of a panel of investors and had very little time to prepare for it. It was an intense, stressful and brilliant few days filled with workshops and networking and I met some brilliant entrepreneurs on the course.
During this intensive three-day programme we were able to draw upon the expertise of fellow innovative female entrepreneurs, growth and marketing strategists, financial experts and public speaking coaches. This culminated with each of us pitching our business to venture capitalists and angel investors including author, columnist, presenter and founder of National Women’s Enterprise Week (NWEW) Alison Cork MBE, business woman, fashion designer and venture capitalist, Akshata Murty, President & Executive Director of Dorsett Hospitality International, Winnie Chiu, and Judy Naake MBE, entrepreneur famous for the St Tropez brand.
All ten of us are from very different fields but everyone was so impressive and inspiring. A little bit about each -
Ahana Banerjee - Founder & CEO of Clear. Clear is the free mobile app that helps you track and share your skincare routine. Fuelling innovation and empowering consumers in the skincare industry via data, technology and community.
https://getclearapp.com/
Jenny Wordsworth - Founder of Ovum, (and winner of the scale up award) where fertility support meets science.
https://startwithovum.com/
Sol Escobar - Founder & Co-CEO of Give Your Best . A social enterprise offering the first circular platform of its kind where people and brands donate clothes online, so communities living in clothing poverty can shop for free with the agency and dignity they deserve.
https://www.giveyourbest.uk/
Sonal Keay - Founder of This is Silk. The UK’s leading silk brand, created to share the incredible benefits of silk for skin and hair.
Charlotte Blackler - Founder of Mena. Changing the narrative for menopause and perimenopause symptoms through diet.
https://www.mena-pause.com/
Heather Kennett - Founder of Curly Girl Method Club - Hair Products Formulated for Waves & Curls
https://curlygirlmethod.club/
Liz Jones - Founder of Real Good Ketchup - Delicious Ketchup with no added sugar and 80% less salt
https://realgoodketchup.com/
Lucy Jeffrey - Founder of Bare Kind Socks - Soft bamboo socks save animals through profit donations to 25+ global charities.
https://barekind.co.uk/
Apinke Efiong - Founder of Eko Botanicals - Award-Winning and Sustainable Skincare for Aging and Melanin-rich skin. Delivering bio-active, potent results. Vegan certified, Cruelty Free & Organic.
https://ekoskincare.co.uk/
This recognition has given me the confidence to think bigger and will greatly accelerate my efforts to scale the business. I am excited to continue this journey and make a positive impact in my field. Studying the craft of weaving and making that into a viable business is tricky! I want to be able to show women earlier on in their career or studying a craft-based discipline, that it is possible to succeed and thrive in business too!
