USA Study Tour

Women in Business Location: Cedar Court Bradford

The event held in Cedar Court Bradford was attended by over 250; it attracted budding entrepreneurs and established business women mainly from the Yorkshire region.

1. Etta Cohen: Welcome speech

Etta is the founder member of Forward Ladies, Forward Ladies is a not for profit ladies business networking organization and has the full support of Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency.

Etta came up with the idea when a few ladies who networked together decided to meet up for lunch. The ladies benefited immensely from the lunches and realised there must be lots of other women who would love to meet on a regular basis.

The gatherings are very informal, and as well as being fun and informative, provide the opportunity for women of all ages and walks of life to come together in a safe and productive environment. Many friendships and mutually rewarding business relationships have been formed. Further information can be obtained by visiting www.forwardladies.co.uk

2. Zainab Yasmeen, ATL Diversity & Leadership

• ATL, formally known as Asian Trades Link started 6 years ago
• In March 2005 our services adopted the wider diversity agenda
• We promote & deliver accessible, quality and inclusive services to the diverse Yorkshire community
• Our key projects include
• Our Unique Enterprise Programme
• Launched in April 2004, specifically for women
• Funded by Yorkshire Forward & delivered in partnership with the University of Bradford

Aims of the Programme

• To create opportunities for women to share common business problems & solutions
• To promote inter-trading between women
• To create and develop businesses
• To contribute to developing an ‘enterprise culture' amongst women  

Delivery Channels

• One-to-one Mentoring
• Business Workshops delivered by the University of Bradford
• Specialist Seminars
• Access to Enterprise ‘Toolkit'
• Networking
• Access to additional Training support
• Platform that provides trading opportunities
• Access to PR/Marketing opportunities
• Types of businesses supported
• Wedding Planners & Events Organisers
• Academies – Oriental Cuisine, Art, Beauty
• Skincare Manufacturers
• E-commerce Businesses
• Childcare Providers
• Homecare Provider
• Fashion Houses
• Recruitment Companies
• Travel Consultancy
• IT Company
• Wholesale Jewellers
• Professional Consultancies
• Growth of women in business
• A quarter of the UK 's 3.2million self-employed workers are now women (Labour Force Survey 2003)
• 30% of business owners are women (Labour Force Survey 2003)
• The difference between male & female owned start-ups narrowed by 40 per cent in 2002 (Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2003)
• Over one-third of all businesses with a turnover up to £1 million are now owned by women
• Women owned businesses contribute £115 billion to the UK economy

3. Sahar Hashemi, founder Coffee Republic

In 1995 Sahar Hashemi together with her brother Bobby founded Coffee Republic , and built it into one of the UK 's most recognised high street brands with a turnover of £30m. Sahar was recently named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, one of 237 leaders chosen from 8000 candidates to build a 'community of extraordinary leaders who are under 40 and are exceptional on a global level'.

Giving up highly professional jobs, she a lawyer in London and he an investment banker in New York , they staked everything on a dream - and made Coffee Republic one of the main players in the 'coffee revolution' that transformed a nation of tea drinkers into one obsessed with 'triple decaf half-caf lattes'. How they came to build a nationwide coffee chain is a fascinating and inspirational tale of the ups and downs of following your dream. It's a personal story about two people who stopped 'thinking about it' and 'did it'. In 2003, Sahar's story of how they built their business was published Anyone Can Do It , become an instant bestseller. Sahar's message is Anyone Can Do It! With her passion and enthusiasm, she motivates and inspires the audience. As a keynote speaker Sahar's energy is infectious, delegates leave the event inspired and motivated to stop 'thinking about it' and 'get on with it'!

Following the presentations there was a networking lunch, followed by workshops, a business exhibition was also running along side the event – exhibitors provided information, guidance and support to delegates wishing to expand a business idea or for those who were in business to enhance and grow their businesses. It enabled delegates to explore practical solutions to any problems they were currently facing or may face in the future.

Women in Business Date: Wednesday 21st of April 2004 Location: Bradford Hilton

The Women In Business seminar at the Bradford Hilton Hotel, aimed to inspire a new generation of female entrepreneurs by celebrating the achievements of some of the UK 's leading female businesswomen and entrepreneurs. It provided an opportunity to hear how they met and faced their challenges and adapted to their new lifestyles.

The exhibition provided information, guidance and support to delegates wishing to enhance and grow their businesses. It enabled them to explore practical solutions to any problems they may face in the future.

Women in Business Date: Tuesday 26th of April 2005 Location: Sapphire Centre

Women in Business held a very successful event at the Sapphire Centre in Birmingham on the 26^th April.  The event attracted budding entrepreneurs and established business women mainly from the West Midlands region – there were however, women who had travelled from all over the country to attend!
The event highlighted that even though business remains a male dominated arena in the world, the number of women entrepreneurs is growing steadily.  Despite facing more barriers than men in start-up business, women entrepreneurs contribute about £115 billion to the UK economy.  
The day gave an insight to business; leading business women shared experiences and passed on tips on how to run a successful business.  A common theme that came from the presentations was that women have an excellent multi-tasking capability – which is one of the key ingredients to successful female entrepreneurship. 

 It was also very clear that women in business are passionate about their ideas, products and services.

To compliment the Women in Business event an exhibition was running alongside the seminars.  Organisations provided information, guidance and support to delegates wishing to expand a business idea or for those who were in business to enhance and grow their businesses. It enabled delegates to explore practical solutions to any problems they were currently facing or may face in the future.