Data suggests that if women had been starting businesses in the UK at the same rate as in the United States there would have been 750,000 more companies operating in the UK.  The significance of this figure can not be overlooked when the total number of companies operating in the UK is only four million.

Close to a million women were self employed in 2001 and this figure was thought to have increased by 10% over the last four years, however this only accounts for 26% of the total.  Furthermore only 15% of businesses were majority owned by women.

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The government has a Strategic Framework for Women’s Enterprise and is aiming to encourage more women to start businesses and to provide help and support.  The government target is to increase the businesses majority-owned by women by 15 per cent to 20 per cent by 2006.

If you are looking for help in order to succeed in business one place that women can go for business advice is The Women’s Company (TWC).  TWC is a fantastic organisation that provides opportunities for women to meet, network and develop business skills and opportunities with other businesswomen in the UK through local groups.  These can be in the form of lunches and events, workshops, seminars and reward weekends.  Over 200 women gained business advantages through the connections they made networking at TWC lunches and events in April 2005.  For more information on TWC visit www.thewomenscompany.co.uk.

Stephanie McLaughlin