Enterprise Enfield hosting 'celebration of inspiring women in business'

The organisation is putting on a special event to mark its 40th anniversary next month

Women in business (credit Cowomen via Unsplash) — Photo by CoWomen on Unsplash

Enterprise Enfield will be celebrating its 40th anniversary next month with a special event at Dugdale Arts Centre.

On Friday, 20th March, over 100 guests will be attending to celebrate the role of inspirational women in business.

The guests include Nelly Gyosheva, Enfield Council’s deputy mayor, who has been invited for the official cake-cutting. In addition, other invited guests include local business owners, entrepreneurs, and representatives from organisations which have provided Enterprise Enfield with funding for specific business support programmes over the years, such as the RSA Trust, Enfield Council, Greater London Authority and Local London.

Guests at the celebratory event will have the chance to hear talks from “truly inspiring women in business” who will share their journeys – including their inspirations, challenges and achievements. A range of businesses will be showcasing their products and services in the Dugdale foyer – and guests will enjoy plenty of time to network with other like-minded business owners.

Enterprise Enfield chief executive Despina Johnson will be presenting a talk on the impact Enterprise Enfield has made on entrepreneurs and businesses in the region. She said: “We are so proud to be celebrating this milestone anniversary. Over four decades, our organisation has helped countless people to start, grow and thrive in business.

“Our expert advice, guidance and support services have been instrumental in empowering people across London to unlock their potential, develop their business knowledge and skills to achieve their goals and dreams. In this increasingly digital world, it’s more important than ever for businesses to stay ahead of the game.

“Our various digital advice and support programmes have enabled owners to utilise digital tools and technology and grow their businesses effectively online – boosting sales, turnover and resilience.

“This celebratory event is an opportunity to showcase our clients’ business successes and the real impact we have made on their journeys.”

In the last year alone, 915 people accessed Enterprise Enfield’s support services and nearly 4,500 hours of business advice were provided. The organisation has a special focus on female entrepreneurship, with over 62% of its clients being women, and Enterprise Enfield’s business start-up programmes for women have, over the past 18 years, empowered over 450 women to be ready to launch their own businesses.

Ela Teague, owner of Enfield-based Indian cookery school, Cook Eat Joy, will be sharing her story at the event as part of a panel discussion. Ela has been celebrated as one of the UK’s “most impressive female entrepreneurs” by f:Entrepreneur as part of their #iAlso100 campaign.

As a former teacher with a passion for cooking, Ela initially sought help from Enterprise Enfield to develop her cookery school idea. She enrolled on the organisation’s flagship ‘Inspiring Women Start Up Programme’ for expert advice, webinars and seminars covering all the essential aspects of business.

Ela said: “I was really pleased with all the advice and support I was given; it was practical and doable. I felt empowered to move on with areas I had been struggling with and confident that I would be able to continue to make simple changes that would benefit the digital areas of the business.

“I was also given ideas on how to grow the business, whether this was with additional services that were easy to achieve or small changes to working practices such as automation to free up time.”

Enterprise Enfield’s celebratory event will also be marking International Women’s Day (IWD) and linking in with this year’s IWD theme, #GiveTo Gain, Enterprise Enfield will be fundraising for a charity which supports those affected by breast cancer, the Pink Ribbon Foundation.

Reserve a spot for the Enterprise Enfield 40th anniversary event:
Visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/enterprise-enfields-40th-anniversary-tickets

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