Women's enterprise encouraged with new Business Support programme
Calling all enterprising East Ayrshire women - If you’ve got ambitions to start a new business, monetise your hobby or expand your existing business, our Business Development Team wants to hear from you!
For many people, knowing who to speak to, how to access expertise and making contacts with like minded people can do a lot to ease the journey, taking a fledgling idea through to a productive and profitable stage.
Thanks to funding from the Scottish Government, East Ayrshire Council’s Business Development Team is now offering a new programme aimed at helping women establish develop and expand their business ideas.
The Step Up: Women’s Enterprise Pathway programme, which starts in early November will involve workshops and networking sessions, giving them an introduction to both the Council’s start up team and other related organisations.
Whatever your business idea, your age or background, if you’re an East Ayrshire resident, the programme offers you a chance to find out more about how to set up, expand or just find out more about self employment.
The programme aims to build confidence, supporting women to explore a new idea or build on an existing one, and providing links with business support partners and likeminded women.
Praising the programme, Councillor Neal Ingram, Cabinet member for Human Resources, Equalities and Inclusion said: “In East Ayrshire we have companies of all sizes producing different goods and services and employing many local people.
"These businesses serve our communities in Ayrshire, across the country, and some operate worldwide.
“So many successful companies start small, with a hobby, a skill or a great idea. If you are working on your business, while balancing other jobs and responsibilities, it can be difficult to get to the next level without support.
“The Step Up: Women’s Enterprise Pathway programme targets women in this position, helping them navigate the obstacles, access sound advice, and information about the help available. We hope that we can support many women to take their ideas forward, to use their talents to create a successful business, and to help them grow to the benefit of all in the local economy.”
"Our Business Development Team recognises the importance of supporting all entrepreneurs through the vital early stages of their journey.
"For many women in particular, knowing who to speak to, how to access expertise and making contacts with like minded people can do a lot to ease the journey, taking a fledgling idea through to a productive and profitable stage.
"Enabling women to prosper has huge benefits for them, their families and the community at large. By building Community Wealth in this way we're helping create a more secure financial and commercial environment which in the long term will boost prosperity and wellbeing for the good of our local economy and beyond."
The introductory sessions will be held:
- Kilmarnock - Tuesday 4 November at Take a Bow, Dunbar Drive, Kilmarnock KA3 7PR tel 01563 535333 at 1.00pm
- Cumnock - Wednesday 5 November at The Royal Hotel, 1 Glaisnock Street, Cumnock KA18 1BP at 1.00pm
To join a session please visit our Step Up: Women’s Enterprise Pathway programme registration page