Calling all enterprising women!

Businesswomen and would-be lady entrepreneurs in Southend can pick up practical tips and gain inspiration thanks to an event being staged in the town tomorrow.

Enterprising Women (EW), the virtual business support community, is holding a free one-day workshop in Southend on Wednesday 30th March.

The workshop will take place from 9.30am to 4pm at the Park View Suite in Chalkwell Park, Westcliff, and attendees will be eligible for one year’s free membership to EW.

EW events cater for a wide range of women, ranging from those interested in self-employment, to women already running successful businesses.

Essex-based entrepreneur and EW member Michelle Frawley, who has been self-employed from a young age, said: "Working for somebody else never really came into the picture. “I always knew I wanted to be my own boss, to have flexibility in my work-life and be involved in what I love."

Now an award-winning interior designer and founder of the company, Inspire Design, Michelle has 18 years' experience in the industry and has not lost any of her entrepreneurial spirit.

Inspire Design is now into its fifth year of trading, producing interior designs for the commercial and property sectors including offices, bars, restaurants, show homes and hotels.

She initially joined EW to find out what other women entrepreneurs were doing and to exchange ideas and best practices on running a business and get information on finance and funding.

"Enterprising Women is a great platform to meet new people, share ideas and use a range of online information resources.

“It also gave me a sense of belonging to a community of like-minded entrepreneurs and I was able to connect with other businesswomen while working from home. Any feelings of isolation disappeared."

Michelle is one of many women who also use the networking events as an opportunity to meet with other members face-to-face and to build contacts. She added: "I am now in touch with other women who are in business and I can meet them to see how we can benefit from each other," she remarked.

EW’s Southend event, entitled ‘Unlocking your Potential’, comprises two workshops – ‘Social Media – Making Your Mark Online’ and ‘PR and Marketing on a Shoestring Budget’.

There will also be an ‘Ask the Experts’ session during which participants can benefit from authoritative advice on topics ranging from marketing, business planning and telemarketing to finance, tax and achieving a work-life balance.

A range of experts will be on hand, including bank relationship managers, representatives from Business Link and HMRC, as well as enterprise specialists, YTKO. Programme Director, Sandy Eaton, said: “The success of these events across East Anglia demonstrates the keen interest in enterprise.

“More and more women are coming forward wanting support to get their business off the ground, and others need inspiration and ideas to take their enterprise to the next level.

“Women come away from EW events feeling inspired and ready to take on new challenges.”

Membership of EW provides a range of support from business know-how and practical skills to help and advice from seasoned businesswomen.

There are also benefits to be derived from networking events, free promotion via the website, the latest information on training, funding and events, as well as mentoring and a host of online resources.

Members also have the opportunity to access the Lloyds TSB Enterprising Women Loan Fund, offering women the opportunity to apply for up to £30,000 to help start or grow their business.

To book onto the event call free on 0800-012 1365 or book online at www.enterprisingwomen.org or e-mail hannah@enterprising-women.org