With unemployment figures at their highest for 10 years, it is becoming more popular for people to set up their own businesses in a bid to beat financial woes.
And lending a helping hand is Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) – a UK networking and business club for rural women in business which has helped give confidence and support to females seeking advice on putting their ideas into practice.
Julie Ireland, from Shawbury, first came across WiRE last year after finding out more about their award-winning Opening Doors programme on the internet.
Julie Ireland with prom dress
Julie said the free programme played a big part in helping her make a decision as to whether to start up her own business, and last December the mother-of-two launched Dresses at Julies, a premier dress sales and hire company in Shawbury, which she said has been going very well.
Opening Doors is a free workshop which is split into three sessions.
The first session takes attendees through the initial steps in starting a business and also focuses on building confidence to get the idea off the ground.
Then the course looks at creating a business plan focussing on the key areas of finance and marketing.
The final session is a one to one with a business advisor, allowing attendees to ask questions specific to their business idea. Julie has followed in her sister’s footsteps who runs a similar business.
She said: “I have worked in retail before and customer services. My sister is in Southampton doing ball gowns and she’s been going five years very successfully and so I decided to have a leap of faith and change direction.
“WiRE was very good and very professional and they helped me to make a decision of whether I should go forward or not. Locally they were a great source of information. It’s quite a scary thing really setting up your own business, it’s quite a challenge. I feel I’ve done really well and I’m getting a good reputation and nice feedback.
“WiRE offers friendship and support and I would definitely recommend the Open Doors programme to women even if they don’t decide to go ahead with setting up their own business.”
Dresses at Julies operates by appointment only. Visit www.dressesatjulies.co.uk or telephone 07510260648.
Heather Hogan from WiRE said: “For many women, running their own business is an empowering experience. Whether you’ve just left school and you want to work for yourself, are returning to employment after having children, have been made redundant or just desire a change, the Opening Doors programme will show you how to start and run a highly successful business.”
Meanwhile, fellow entrepreneur Jo Bloodworth, from Copthorne, fulfilled her childhood ambition last December when she set up her own fashion store in The Parade shopping centre, Shrewsbury.
The former Shrewsbury Sixth Form College and Shrewsbury College pupil has in the past even sent some sample outfits off to Icelandic singer-songwriter Björk.
Jo said the dream of running her own business had been made reality through advice and support from WiRE’s Opening Doors programme and a £3,500 boost from The Prince’s Trust.
She said: “Without them I would not have done it. I have wanted to do this for years and I cannot speak highly enough of them.”
Contact Jo on 01743 588199 or visit www.jobloodworth.com
WiRE director, Fiona Davies believes it is an exciting time to be in rural business.
She said: “WiRE rural networking groups have continued to spring up across the country, despite the downturn and are overflowing with positive women, sharing ideas, contacts and business creating an overwhelming contagious energy and positivity. Each month, local networks run by local, volunteer business women offer support to approximately 800 female entrepreneurs.”
For more information about WiRE and forthcoming Opening Doors dates in the Shrewsbury area contact Heather at WiRE by emailing heather@wireuk.org or call 01952 815460. Alternatively, visit www.wireuk.org
By Charlotte Hester