Two Nottinghamshire entrepreneurs are launching a membership organisation with the aim of helping thousands of women start and grow their own businesses.
Work.by Design will offer support for women across the UK to make the jump from professional careers to launching their own ventures and have set themselves the target of helping 6,000 people by 2025.
The platform has been set up by Claire Dunn and Sarah King, both of West Bridgford, and will provide practical support as well as hosting events and workshops.
It will also offer users coaching programmes and provide a space for people to share their expertise.
Sarah said: "Research tells us one in eight women want to set up their own business and that one in five UK small businesses is female founded, so we know there is a real desire out there to make the move but it can seem like a scary thing to do.
“Our aim with the community platform is to give women access to practical support and know-how to fuel their own confidence as entrepreneurs and in turn grow their businesses.”
Sarah and Claire both left senior jobs in the corporate world to set up their own businesses, before going on to create Work.by Design.
The launch of their new venture comes after a new publication, named the Rose Report, recognised the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs and prompted a new Government strategy to encourage 600,000 women to start businesses by 2030.
Claire added: "The work we are doing is already having an impact locally, the women we are currently working with are all ambitious for their businesses and the impact they want them to have and they all seek flexibility - the desire to design work lives that fit around them and the commitments they have.
“In the last six months, we've tested and developed coaching programmes and a platform that we know works - we know it works because we're constantly talking to the women we're serving - understanding what they need and designing our services in response to that."
The duo are now driving their new venture forward which will begin with an online business bootcamp later this month.
