As a not-for profit organisation Wenta offers free business advice within Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire and has a programme called ‘Inspiring Women in Enterprise’ (IWE). This fully funded, ladies only programme specifically helps women who are not currently working and want to set up their own business or look for a job. It's ideal for those who have had a career break or are looking to work or start a business after having a family."

Woofles

One of the many ladies that Wenta has helped via the IWE course is Jo Best. “I was on maternity leave and was thinking about returning to work” explains Jo “but knew that a 9 to 5 job was not for me. I wanted something that would be rewarding and challenging whilst giving me quality time with my 1 year old son Gideon. I thought that running my own business could well be the answer but didn’t know where to start?”

“I first analysed what skills I had. My father had a business that made and sold leather goods and I had learned the trade so I was interested in setting up something similar but needed to decide what leather goods I could produce. I contacted Wenta and I was introduced to Steve Pryor, one of their Business Advisors. I discussed my initial ideas with Steve, in particular which products I could sell. I had already made my dog a leather collar and friends had commented how good it was. After carrying out further research, my friends asked me to make some collars for their dogs and from this I had the beginning of a business! I had made my decision; I was to offer a range of personalised dog collars, hand-made from the best quality leather and I named the business ‘Woofles’. With Steve’s help I prepared a business plan and a successful proposal for a £2,000 grant which went towards setting-up a website (www.woofles.co.uk) and advertising my business.”

“I have found the hardest challenge is to juggle being a mum, wife and business woman. I find myself having to be regimented to keep focussed during the day but Wenta has given me a great deal of help. They offer a free 12 month package of support which has enabled me to discuss progress, problems and ideas with Steve; something I find invaluable. Even if he just agrees with my plans it is reassuring to get that independent and professional perspective. He has also been able to refer me to Business Link who provided me with I.T assistance and to another Wenta advisor who gave me specialist marketing advice.”

Rachel Elizabeth Designs

Another lady that the IWE programme benefitted was Rachel Hunt. She too was able to achieve her work ambition but her reasons for doing so were very different. Rachel had been unemployed for 6 months and was eager to get back into regular work ideally within the graphic design industry, but she felt she lacked the necessary skills. Rachel trained as an illustrator and had a strong desire to create unique, personalised and commercial art for the public. She decided that a way to work towards getting into the industry whilst receiving an income was to set up her own business but she was frustrated with not being able to find a niche for her extraordinary artistic talents. It was whilst painting a mural as a favour for a friend she realised that she could build a business around internal or external murals. She therefore turned to Wenta for business advice and it was at this point that she learnt about the ‘Inspiring Women in Enterprise’ programme. The course ran over three days and in this time Rachel learnt how to set up and run a business. The one to one business advice the IWE programme offers gave her the encouragement and the support she needed and with her newly required skills she started Rachel Elizabeth Designs www.rachelelizabethdesign.com.

Rachel gained two pieces of commissioned work from IWE Networking Events and Rachel Elizabeth Designs grew. As it did, so too did Rachel’s skill set and so the work she was asked to do diversified. She undertook a branding exercise for a national martial arts organisation and not long after that Rachel was offered what she was searching for, full time work as a Graphic Designer. Rachel is now happily settled in this permanent, full time role.  She continues to undertake commissioned murals but does so in her free time and in fact has painted a fantastic mural for Wenta at our business centre in Watford!

For further information on ‘Inspiring Women in Enterprise’ (IWE) please click here or call us on 0845 371 0891.