A guide specifically for women entrepreneurs with information and support developed to help women in business
There is a growing number of successful women entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland. More and more women are viewing starting their own business as an attractive career option and are choosing to set up their own business, and there is more help and support available to women entrepreneurs than ever before.
If you are a woman considering setting up a business, you will boost your chances of success by accessing the right networks and mentors. These are women who can share their experience of business with you and people who understand the needs of women entrepreneurs.
This guide will help you to develop a business idea and access support for women in business.
Access free start-up business support from your local council. If you have a great idea but you're not sure how to turn it into a business, or you have already started out in business and require mentorship on your next steps, Go Succeed Start experts will help you to create a business plan, seek funding and put all the foundations in place to get your business up and running.
Complete a short enquiry form or call 0800 027 0639 to register for this free advice and guidance.
Overview of female entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland and support available to help women get started in business
The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report shows that women in Northern Ireland have a very positive view of entrepreneurship as a career choice. The report indicates that increasing entrepreneurial activity among women will make a huge contribution to the diversity and success of the local economy.
Many women work part-time while setting up a business. This allows them to develop their business idea while reducing the financial risk that may be involved. See starting a part-time business.
Others work flexible hours in their new business to allow them to look after a home or fulfil other commitments while getting the business off the ground.
If you are considering becoming an entrepreneur, it's important to realise that you don't have to go it alone. A lot of support is available to help women entrepreneurs - see support for women in business.
Setting up a business is an exciting career option that is flexible and open to anyone. So whether you are currently working, taking a career break, or just starting out, you can find help to make your business idea a reality.
Tips, guidance and support for potential women entrepreneurs on taking the rights steps when starting a business
If you want to become a woman in business, there are a number . things you can to increase your chance of success.
Running a business requires a range of skills. As well as producing a product or delivering a service you will need to deal with finance, marketing, administration, legal issues and perhaps recruitment, health and safety or other specific areas.
All of these skills can be acquired and there are many excellent courses available locally. Some of these have been developed particularly for women. The Training for Women Network provides courses for women interested in business.
If you are considering starting up a new business, you need to consider a number of factors to ensure the best chance of success. If you don't have a business idea yet, our business idea profile tool provides information on over 600 small business trades, sectors and professions.
As well as your product or service, you will need to think about:
For further information see step-by-step guide to starting a business.
You will also benefit from speaking to other people who have set up a business - there are many organisations and networks that can offer you practical support. For further information see networks and mentors for women in business.
Women in Business (WIB) provide digital workshops, mentoring, regional events and networking opportunities with other women entrepreneurs. They also provide a yearly Women in Business conference and other business events.
A business plan is a written document that describes a business, its objectives, its strategies, the market it is in and its financial forecasts. It has many functions, from securing external funding to measuring success within your business. It is essential to have a realistic, working business plan when you're starting a business. See write a business plan: step-by-step.
Support for female entrepreneurs to develop a well-defined product or service before launch into the market
Some people have a very clear idea of what they want their business to be. Maybe you have identified a gap in the market for a particular product or service you know you can provide.
Or perhaps you want to set up a business but don't have a definite idea of what you want to sell. Whichever is the case it's important that you develop a well-defined product or service before you launch into setting up a business.
You need to be sure you can offer the market something different, better or cheaper. Good market research is the cornerstone of developing a sound business idea - see market research and market reports.
Invest NI's Business Information Centre has extensive market research and worldwide company directories that you can use.
Women are now setting up and running successful businesses in sectors that were once considered male territory, such as construction and IT. Equality of opportunity in these areas has been promoted through professional bodies and trade organisations. Search the Trade Association Forum's directory of trade associations.
You may find it helpful to identify a mentor from within your chosen sector, who can be a role model and adviser - see benefits of business mentoring.
Women in Business (WIB) offer a mentoring programme and may be able to connect you to someone from your sector through the members directory.
Support programmes available to business women and potential women entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland
You can become a successful woman entrepreneur with the right support, good planning and the will to succeed.
There are some support initiatives specifically designed for women.
Women in Business is Northern Ireland's largest and fastest-growing network for business women and entrepreneurs. They have over 3,000 members and offer events aimed at helping women develop both personally and professionally, make connections and ultimately grow their business.
Women in Business offers a variety of free marketing benefits to all members including publication of their news articles in a bi-annual magazine and a monthly ezine, as well as their Members Monday promotions.
Councils and local enterprise agencies run specific initiatives for female entrepreneurs.
The Invest in Women Hub helps female entrepreneurs access finance to start, grow, or scale their business.
The Hub is run by the Council for Investing in Female Entrepreneurs (CfIFE). It offers access to practical resources, tools, news, and events to help women in business.
It also includes a ‘Find a Finance Provider’ tool for entrepreneurs to find finance partners for every growth stage, including business incubators, accelerators, and venture capital.
The Northern Ireland Business Support Finder is a searchable database that can help you find publicly-funded and not-for-profit sources of assistance you may be eligible to apply for. Support may be available in several forms, including financial assistance and free or subsidised advice services.
My New Business is a free online service that covers everything you need to plan, start and run a business. It has videos and tools, plus other learning resources - like tutorials and case studies. All of them are aimed at helping you get your business started.
It also includes checklists that cover everything from coming up with a strong business idea and developing it to identifying and reaching your customers to turn that idea into a successful business - see My New Business.
Local female entrepreneurship networks and business mentoring opportunities for women starting out in business
If you feel nervous about setting up a business, that's normal for everyone - don't let that put you off. A good way to build your confidence is to speak to others who have set up a business and find out what the experience is really like.
Women's business networks are a good way to build relationships. They offer a forum for discussion, sharing experiences, peer mentoring and practical and emotional support. Just knowing someone else is facing the same challenges as you makes it easier to keep going.
Networking is a highly effective way to build up a business. It offers a potential market for your goods or services and can be an invaluable way of building up a client base and track record.
Women in Business is Northern Ireland's largest and fastest growing network for business women and entrepreneurs - find out more about Women in Business.
WIB also have a mentoring programme with nearly 150 successful and inspirational business women who provide expertise to support to local women in business.
There are also many UK sector specific women's networks including:
A set of steps for potential female entrepreneurs to consider for tried and tested ways to start your business
Taking the first step is easy if you have done as much planning and market research as possible.
It's useful to write down where you are now, where you want to be in a year and the steps you need to take to get there. This should be as detailed as possible and will help you take a logical and systematic approach to getting started in business. The following guidance should help you:
The next step is to identify and contact the organisations that can offer you advice and support.
The business support organisations will be eager to sit down with you and help you work out what you need to do to get your business up and running. They will help you with:
There is a comprehensive network of support in Northern Ireland and specific initiatives aimed at helping more people get started in business. See:
Invest NI also provide support for local businesses.
Women in Business (WIB) also offers a variety of workshops and programmes specifically for women. Find out about upcoming WIB events and programmes.
Jackie Reid explains how she used her skills and expertise to develop her startup idea into a successful business
DELI LITES Ireland is a food-to-go producer of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and artisan bakery products that uses local ingredients. The business was founded in 1998 and currently employs 300 staff.
Jackie Reid, the Co-Founder and Sales Director of DELI LITES, explains how she used her skills and expertise to develop her business idea into a successful, well-run business.
"We originally ran the business from my sisters' café of the same name. People loved the food we were making, so we decided to make the most of these products and start a pre-packed sandwich business, which today is DELI LITES Ireland."
"I have always had a passion for food and for fitness, so a goal throughout the journey was to create a product offering that was honest feel-good food. As such, since the beginning of the business we have been able to invent innovative products that are gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, high-protein, and low-calorie, as well as the more traditional options."
"I found that research was everything. I had to look into every aspect of my idea so I knew what the market was lacking and how I could provide answers to consumer needs. I wanted the focus of our products to be about the quality Irish ingredients that we use. As we began securing those initial deals with local suppliers, it got easier to network our way through the food industry and make a name for ourselves."
"Apparently, women are half as likely as men to start their own business, which is a shocking statistic! Aside from the obvious benefits of working for yourself and doing something you love, putting yourself out there in the business world can help you learn more about yourself. You will come to realise just how resilient and strong you are, as well as finding out how far you can push yourself. It's a real soul-searching journey."
"When we originally started the business, I don't think I had realised just how passionate (and good!) I am at sales. All my entrepreneurial skills came out when we were deep into the process."
"Make sure you take the help that is offered. I often struggle with always wanting to do things myself, but you have to realise (and I have to remind myself sometimes) that you can't do everything yourself. Surround yourself with a positive crowd and take advantage of the help they offer."
"As a woman, I also believe I am somewhat more in tune with the family needs of my employees. In order to work on employee wellbeing, we allow flex-shift patterns and are open to working closely with our team to allow employees to accommodate to family needs, as well as any other internal or external support they may require."