PARTNER EVENTS

ENTERPRISING WOMEN: BUILDING ON YOUR BUSINESS NETWORK
On 15th November, Enterprising Women in partnership with Colchester Borough Council will offer women business owners the opportunity to network with like-minded business women, and receive practical advice from two outstanding speakers – one whose business was born from necessity, and the other from frustration, but who have both seen their businesses experience incredible growth.
Location: Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester,CO1 1PT.
Date: Thursday, 15th November 2007
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Kind Networking
Cost Free as the event is fully funded

The event will commence at 10.00am with an brief introduction from Kate Gray from Enterprising Women followed by,

• Christine Beedle MBE
• Verity Winsbury - Parklet

Christine Beedle MBE, will be sharing her astounding business journey and talking about the volunteer work which led to her being awarded MBE for 'Services to the Cleaning Industry' in 1997. When Christine originally set up her cleaning business to help support her family while her husband’s business took off, she could hardly have foreseen that in just over 20 years she would have a turnover of £3.5m and employ 850 people.

Our second speaker is Verity Winsbury, Proprietor of Park Let. Park Let is the result of years of frustrated commuting into the City of London and battling to find parking, a frustration which was exacerbated by the large empty secure car parks Verity would drive past. Verity realised that the combination of an extra income, plus the added security of having a car parked in front of their property, would prove attractive to landlords. Following extensive research, Park Let Ltd was launched in 2004 and has taken off, with over 9,000 parking spaces currently advertised on their website.

To register for this event please click on the link in the right hand corner or email alison.medlock@enterprising-women.org or tel: 01603 618687

THE CENTRE FOR WOMEN'S ENTERPRISE (CWE) AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE.

The CWE is a small freindly team offering numerous services for women in business, both for self employed women in their own businesses and employed women looking to enhance their skills and career. The Centre offers a number of services including:

- Business growth workshops on subjects such as enhancing your website, copywriting and marketing, pricing for profit, customer relationship management etc.

- Personal growth training such as Leadership training for women and workshops and events designed to boost your confidence and help you achieve your goals.

- A Speaker Meet and Mix series giving women the opportunity to mingle with like minded peers in a friendly and relaxed environment and learn from our varied speakers. The location of these events includes the counties of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex and Buckinghamshire.

- Business Start Up Support for women living in Bedfordshire and Luton through referral to the Luton and Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce.

- A website www.beds.ac.uk/cwe with a full events listing and case studies of inspirational women who have worked with us.

For more information contact Julie Tysoe on 01582 489 041

OTHER EVENTS

GREENSAND RIDGE LEADER FUNDING BID - CONSULTATION MEETING ON 19 NOVEMBER

Are you interested in helping secure up to £4 million for rural development and rural communities in the Greensand Ridge Area?

* Do you have an idea for a project that will add value to the rural economy of the area?
* Are you planning any diversification, or new business projects?
* Are you a business, farmer and/or grower in the Greensand Ridge area?
* Do you work in a rural community or market town in the area?
Bedfordshire Rural Affairs Forum, working with BRCC, is developing a bid for the Greensand Ridge area to benefit from new EU funding, and would like to hear from you.

In order to access funds via the EU LEADER approach, local partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors must work together to identify local issues and solutions. Funds are put into the hands of local action groups (LAG) for them to disburse to projects that can help address the local problems and develop new business and social opportunities. It looks for innovation and experimentation in finding new and better approaches to local needs.

One of the first steps is to set up the LAG. This must be drawn from a wide range of interest groups in the area, including farmers and growers, the tourism sector, other rural businesses, voluntary and community groups, and statutory organisations for the bid to progress. We would still particularly like to hear from farmers, tourism and other rural businesses and community groups in the Greensand Ridge area that want to get involved.

The first meeting of the prospective Local Action Group has been arranged for 2pm on Monday 19 November at Shuttleworth College. The meeting will give you the opportunity to influence the outline Local Development Strategy for the area. Your attendance would be welcome even if you are not yet sure whether you intend to join the LAG. To book a place, please contact Jane Markham 01525 878149 or janem@bedsrcc.org.uk

Bid coordinator Jon Boswell said “This is a major opportunity for communities to have their say in determining local priorities. The Greensand Ridge can be a green lung amidst the major growth in the county. To be successful though we need to get local people involved. We want to hear from farmers, businesses and communities in the Greensand Ridge area about how we can work together to make the area thrive.”

If you would like to be involved in shaping the future of the Greensand Ridge, either as part of the Local Action Group, find out more or simply be added to the Greensand Ridge LEADER circulation list, please contact: Jon Boswell 01767 626460 jonb@bedsrcc.org.uk or Jane Markham 01525 878149 or janem@bedsrcc.org.uk For the latest details on this exciting opportunity for the area visit
www.braf.org.uk/greensandbid.html

Women’s Conference
The Suffolk Association of Women in Policing will be hosting its Women’s Joint Conference with Cambridge and Norfolk police, at Suffolk Police Headquarters on 23rd November 2007.

The conference coincides closely with the start of the International Campaign for the Elimination of Gender Violence (White Ribbon Campaign), which provides an additional opportunity to raise the profile of our event. Please see attached leaflet about the White Ribbon Campaign.

The conference will include five training workshops focusing on the following key areas:

• Conflict management skills
• Assertiveness skills that lead to success
• How to keep difficult people from ruining your day
• Coping with the conflicting demand of work and home
• Your work personality and how to make the most of it

The workshops are specifically designed to enhance staff productivity, improve morale and create better employee relations. SkillPath, a leading training provider and a specialist in delivering conferences to women will facilitate the workshops.

To attend this event or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tracy Watling on 01473 613562.

Local crafts to feature in NORWICHRISTMAS

Local crafts will be playing their part in the inaugural Norwich Christmas festival from 28th November to 5th December. The festival, NORWICHRISTMAS, will feature a whole host of events across the city centre, including a craft fair in The Forum and next door in the Crafts Marquee where some 50 local producers and artists will be selling their creations.

Anna from Knapton crafts added that “Amongst the goods on offer will be fruity wine, delicious handmade chocolates, photography, handmade gifts and crafts. In addition, local authors Piers Warren and Mark Radford and Ann Neve will be on hand, Wed 28th Nov and Wed 5th Dec respectively to personally sign copies of their books.”

NORWICHRISTMAS promises to be an exciting new venture for the city, with street entertainers, carol singers, live music from local musicians and something special for the children. The opportunity to view and buy locally produced crafts and gifts will give everyone the chance to make Norwich the place to shop this festive season!

More details are available at www.norfolkcraftfairs.co.uk or contact Anna Ovenden at Knapton Crafts on 01263 722825.

SANDRINHAM FAIR
Visit www.thenorfolkchristmasfestival.co.uk for more details
The 0845 number should read 0845 86 96 16 4

WOMENTA EVENTS

Wednesday 14th November 2007- National Women’s Enterprise Day
Live Your Dream Workshop – WoMenta
Time: 9.30am to 2.30pm
Location: Self Centre, Suffolk Business Park,
Kempson Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP32 7AR

FREE one day motivational workshop for women thinking of starting a business.
Childcare and travel bursaries available.
Buffet lunch included

You will leave the workshop armed with the motivation and
material to get your own business up and running.

Call now to book your free place 01284 760206

www.womenta.org.uk

Thursday 15th November 2007- National Enterprise Week
Live Your Dream Workshop – WoMenta
Time: 9.30am to 2.30pm
Location: Meeting Rooms, Barclays Bank plc, 58 High Street,
Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 9TJ

FREE one day motivational workshop for women thinking of
starting a business.
Childcare and travel bursaries available.
Buffet lunch included

You will leave the workshop armed with the motivation and
material to get your own business up and running.

Call now to book your free place 01284 760206

www.womenta.org.uk

Tuesday 20th November 2007
Live Your Dream Workshop – WoMenta
Time: 9.30am to 2.30pm at the
Location: Hollands Business Centre, 21-27 Hollands Road,
Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 8PU

FREE one day motivational workshop for women thinking of
starting a business.
Childcare and travel bursaries available.
Buffet lunch included

You will leave the workshop armed with the motivation and
material to get your own business up and running.

Call now to book your free place 01284 760206

www.womenta.org.uk

CREATE

CREATE, led by Exemplas, can help you find out everything there is to know about franchising – whether you’re looking to set up in business or expand an existing one. Create specialises in guiding people into self-employment through franchising, direct selling and other structured business formats.
Resources include the ability to give budding business people the tools and processes they need to assess the many opportunities available.

OTHER EVENTS...

Franchise Awareness Seminar

Have you thought about starting up in business using a franchise? Find out more about this increasingly popular route to self-employment at our free half-day seminar. You’ll get a comprehensive and valuable insight into franchising as an attractive business option. Areas covered include:

• An overview of franchising
• Key elements of a good franchise format
• Advantages & disadvantages
• Obtaining funding
• Six steps to successful franchise selection

WHO FOR: Anyone interested in setting up in business through a franchise.
WHEN: 31 Oct, 0900hrs registration for 0930hrs start. Runs to 1330hrs, including lunch.
WHERE: Beacon Innovation Centre, Gorleston, NR31 7RA
Also
WHEN: 15 Nov, 0900hrs registration for 0930hrs start. Runs to 1330hrs, including lunch.
WHERE: Imperial Hotel, North Drive, Great Yarmouth, NR30 1EQ
COST: Free

What previous attendees have said:

“Good food for thought, above all things for me to research. The presenter from the BFA was great, very personable.” Claire Hansen, SAP

“Very good and insightful, to help point me in the right direction for more information and support.” Cheryl Cranston, Blue Yonder

Franchise Skills Workshop

Join us at this full-day, free workshop and find out if franchising could be right for you. With plenty discussion and practical exercises, participants will develop worksheets and templates specific to individual requirements. Content covers:

• Fundamentals of franchising
• Is franchising right for you?
• Assessing the franchise
• The franchise relationship
• Conclusions & action plan

WHO FOR: Anyone looking to set up in business who wants to examine franchising as an alternative option and, if it is, understand more on how to make it work.
WHEN: 14 November. 0900hrs registration for 0930hrs start. Runs to 1630hrs, including lunch.
WHERE: Imperial Hotel, North Drive, Great Yarmouth, NR30 1EQ
COST: Free

Taking Up a Franchise Workshop

This free, full day Workshop is a follow up event to our popular ‘Franchise Awareness’ seminars. Find out more about franchising in practice, personal qualities required, finance models, contractual agreements and business planning. Highly interactive, participants will leave with tailored action plans and a clear route to the next steps. Workshop covers:

• Fundamentals of franchising
• Elements for success
• Franchising model
• The franchise relationship
• Business planning
• Conclusion & action plan

WHO FOR: Follow up to the ‘Franchise Awareness Seminar’ for anyone interested in setting up in business using a franchise.
WHEN: 29 Nov, 0900hrs registration for 0930hrs start. Runs to 1630hrs, including lunch.
WHERE: Kings Centre, Queen Annes Road, Great Yarmouth NR31 0LE.
COST: Free

Successful franchise owner, Laura Dilworth of Caterpillar music says: “CREATE were invaluable in terms of support and advice, especially as many other support organisations do not specialise in franchising.”

Evaluating Direct Selling Opportunities

This free half-day seminar is aimed at anyone thinking about direct selling as a route to self-employment. Direct sellers are independent agents and distributors working with established direct sales companies – many of whom are multi-national corporations – and business is commonly built up through personal recommendation and referral. Over 400,000 people in the UK run their own direct selling business. Find out if you could join them at this informative seminar which covers all the basics including formats, products, investment, earnings and contracts.

WHO FOR: Anyone interested in finding out more about Direct Selling as a route to self-employment.
WHEN: 14 November, 0900hrs registration for 0930hrs start. Runs to 1330hrs, including lunch.
WHERE: Kings Centre, Queen Annes Road, Great Yarmouth NR31 0LE.
Also
WHEN: 13 November, 0900hrs registration for 0930hrs start. Runs to 1330hrs, including lunch.
WHERE: Kings Centre, Queen Annes Road, Great Yarmouth NR31 0LE.
COST: Free

OTHER NETWORKS

Athena, is a structured and fun monthly networking lunches for women either running their own businesses or who are looking for new clients for their employers. These meetings give you the opportunity both to make new contacts and develop your business and networking skills. Each group has a maximum of 25 members and there is a strict rule of one seat per profession, this is both to avoid competition but more importantly to make sure that all the members have access to a wide range of professions and services that can help them develop their business. The belief in Athena is that you have to get to know and trust people before you are likely to pass business on to them and our lunch meetings create a great environment for just that.

Athena meetings are always from 12.00 –14.00 and include a great lunch. The meeting fee is £20 for visitors

Saffron Walden meetings
Tuesday 27th November
Tuesday 29th January
Tuesday 26th February

Cambridge meetings
Tuesday November 6th
January 8th
February 5th

Athena is holding a great Christmas event which will offer an opportunity to network with women from six groups across Cambridge and Essex as well as the chance to listen to Fred Davey talking about the opportunities open to small local business from the Olympics and the Thames Gateway developments. The cost is £35 for members and £40 for visitors.

To find out more about Athena and these local events, please take a look at our website www.theathenanetwork.com or call Jo on 0845 833 1970 or 07985 247044

MEMBER PROFILE

Florence Flowers
For same day delivery of beautiful Flowers and gift, order online 24 hours a day at:

www.onlineflowers.at/FlorenceFlowers

Cheapaccounting.co.uk - The Ideal accounting solution for you!

By 'cheap' read reliable, easy and incredibly straight-forward. Crucially businesses can now keep constant tabs on their accounts.

CheapAccounting.co.uk realises that businesses often need a straight-forward accounting service that does not involve lengthy meetings at inconvenient times. Our on line system gives businesses access to their figures 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

And with prices starting from just £9.99 / month – why pay more?

CheapAccounting.co.uk offers accounting services starting at a fixed monthly fee from just £9.99 to sole traders, partnerships, small limited companies and in particular start up businesses.

But if you sign up before 30 November 2007 you can get the first month free. Just quote GN001 when you register.

Semina Lewis – Silver Wire Designs
sales@silverwiredesigns.com
http://www.silverwiredesigns.com

At Silver Wire Designs I design and make, handmade jewellery including pendants, earrings, bracelets, necklaces and matching sets all suitable for gifts for women.

Every item is an original piece that can either be bought directly from the website or made to your specific requirements at no extra cost.

The jewellery is made using solid silver wire using a combination of techniques including knitting, sewing and crochet of wire interlaced with semi-precious stones such as Amethyst, Garnet and Topaz. I also use some very colourful pieces of glass wrapped with silver wire.

My work is also sold in Art Galleries and Shops in London, Devon, Oxford, Trowbridge, Wales & Cambridgeshire.

I have recently had articles written about me and my work in The Cambridgeshire Journal and The Cambridge Evening News highlighting my sources of inspiration.

I have also won the International Fashion Designers ‘Rising Star’ Competition in the Handmade Jewellery section – September 2007.

IN BRIEF

Hello WIRE ladies!
Could you help me please? I'm looking for a small business accountant. Someone who will help me start my book keeping and tax return and give me some advice on the financial basics of starting a small business. If you would like to recommend someone you've used, (or point out someone to avoid!) I'd be glad to hear from you.

See you at the next meeting, I hope

Beverley Hooper
Coaching & Development Professional

Tel: 01508 538872
Mob: 07876 380184

FOR SALE
Cash register (hardly used)
Contact Julia on 01603 259 819

If you would like to send in a business profile or an article for the newsletter, email: juliapackham@wireuk.org