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Jane Asher on starting a business

Jane Asher has starred in movies opposite Michael Caine and Lawrence Olivier. She’s written novels and regularly treads the boards in the West End. Despite all that, little could prepare her for the highs and lows of running her own business, Party Cakes.

Raising the Bar

Cherie Blair talks to SmallBusiness.co.uk about her new network designed to promote women in business and why encouraging female entrepreneurship could lift millions out of poverty

On the money trail

Finance for female-led business is a hot topic. In November, the government started an investment fund targeted at women. Here, female entrepreneurs tell us how they raised finance.

Sweet success: Charlotte and Lynne Fudge

After finishing her degree Charlotte Fudge started mail order biscuits company Biccies with her mum last year. The company recently became profitable and has a turnover of £75,000.

Karen Bremner: beyond The Apprentice

It seems there’s nothing Apprentice star Karen Bremner won’t try. Having worked as a solicitor to the RAF, and trained as a stockbroker, she has now set up her own clothing boutique. One year on and her turnover has hit £250,000.

Rising star: Anya Sizer

Anya Sizer of PowerChange started her own business as an infertility coach with the last £4,000 of her savings. One year on and she is breaking even with turnover of £3,000 to £4,000.

Don't Miss

Claire Chapman and Jo Cowan, Belle Bridal

Dress for success

Sisters Claire Chapman and Jo Cowan set up bridal shop Belle Bridal in 2009 and expects to double their opening year’s turnover to £100,000 this year.

A date to remember

Lexi Proud launched dating website ArrangeMeADate.com in January and is set to make profit in year one.

Michelle Daniells, founder, Benjoy Nutrition

A snack on track

Michelle Daniells launched children’s nutrition company Benjoy Nutrition in 2008 and is expecting sales of £1 million for the next year of trading.

Women in Business News

Work and family responsibilities still often prevent women reaching the top

Work-life balance issues keep glass ceiling intact

Balancing work and family responsibilities is the biggest barrier to women getting senior jobs, research finds.

Work-life balance issues keep glass ceiling intact

Balancing work and family responsibilities is the biggest barrier to women getting senior jobs, research finds.

Female entrepreneurship on the rise

The number of women running businesses should accelerate by 100,000 over the next ten years, business community network Everywoman says.

Female executives earning £10,546 less than men

Female executives are currently being paid more at junior executive level than their male counterparts but achieving equal pay across all seniority levels will take another 98 years, research reveals.

SMEs: Glass ceiling still present

More than half of small business owners believe a glass ceiling for women continues to exist in the workplace, finds research by business software company Sage.

Employers narrow-minded on maternity leave

Almost two thirds of employers do not expect female employees to return to work after their maternity leave, research finds.

Study: Opportunities on the rise for women in the workplace

Women are breaking through the ‘glass ceiling’ and have increasing employment opportunities, particularly in terms of career advancement and remuneration, suggests research.

Gender divide perceived in the workplace

One in six workers in the UK believes that men and women are treated differently in the workplace, research finds.

Companies failing to push equality in boardroom

Women are making little progress in the boardrooms of UK businesses, occupying just 23 per cent of board positions.

Government under pressure to encourage female entrepreneurship

Government must encourage entrepreneurship among women to help grow the economy, says the FSB.

Women earners take on household finances

Working women are taking on more financial responsibilities in UK households, with 71 per cent carrying out general household budgeting on a daily basis.

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FT Guide to Personal Tax

The FT Guide to Personal Tax is published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and John Bloxham, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as over 230 tax-saving tips.

Growth Company Investor

Growth Company Investor is widely recognised as the leading magazine for investors interested in AIM and smallcap companies. Published 10 times per year, and brought to you by an award-winning analyst team, it offers subscribers unrivalled insight into high-potential smaller companies. Subscribe today with a 50% discount in your first year.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

The FT Guide to Business Start Up 2012, published by Pearson Education, is written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc. This unique guide has sold over two million copies. It offers practical advice about starting and running your own business.

What Investment

What Investment is the leading and longest-established investment magazine in the UK.

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Sales and Marketing tips

Jackie Jarvis, MarketingCo.biz

Franchise information

Julie Waites, The Franchise Company

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FREE Legal, Financial, Accountancy & HR Help

Aska Professional understands the challenges faced by small businesses. That’s why we provide instant access to professional advice and legal templates. FREE access to Solicitors, Accountants, Financial Advisors & HR Specialists. Ask our experts a question and get a personal response within 60 minutes. Sign up now to ask a question - FREE.

Google Apps for Business

Smart business tools for business of any size. Free 30 day trial.

BAWE WELCOMES YOU

BAWE is an esteemed organization for women entrepreneurs whose motto is individually we are invisible together we are invincible. Click here for more information.

Blogs

Winners and losers

Ben Lobel 24/01/2012

It seems that despite the government’s assurance that the Olympics will provide a long-lasting economic legacy for the UK, businesses remain unconvinced. Have your say »

Deciding on your financing needs

Small Business Finance 06/12/2011

Rory Earley, CEO of Capital for Enterprise, looks at the ramifications of getting a bank loan to fund growth opportunities. Have your say »

Winning new business in 2012

Guest Blogger 02/02/2012

Shaun Thompson, CEO of Sandler Training, explains how growth is possible in frugal times. Have your say »

Inspirational stories Resource Centre

Flexible Skills Bank

Tap in to this pool of professionals looking for flexible, or ad hoc work to fit in with their family commitments.

Business women in the South East

This site provides information on business women in the South East. Follow the link to read success stories, get the latest news, business tips and more.

The NatWest everywoman Awards

The NatWest everywoman Awards celebrates inspirational business women who have achieved significant success.

Find inspiration in the success of other women

Spark brings together successful entrepreneurs and enterprise champions across the UK to encourage women to recognise that business is for them.

Read success stories of business women

This site features several success stories of members of the Women in Business Network.

Exchange ideas with other business women

The Financial Mail Women's Forum is intended to provide interesting and useful opportunities for women at the very top of their professions.

Stories from inspirational female role models

Women Into the Network have put together a number of publications featuring successful women entrepreneurs, who share their experiences and journey.

Success stories from women

This section of the website Make Your Mark features a number of success stories from women who have made their ideas happen.

Other Women in Business Resources

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Video

Selling on eBay

Ebay trader Chris Dawson gives his tips to selling through the trading website.

Misco Offers for small businesses

At Misco, we understand the constraints faced by small businesses. This is why, we’ve built a team of specialists readily available to share with you their expertise and work with you to find tailored IT solutions fitted to your business requirements. View our offers or call our team of experts today on freephone 0808 181 7582 or by email smallbiz@misco.co.uk.

Barclays Business Start Up Account

Get everything you'd expect from a Barclays Business account…Free business banking for up to 2 years (Ts&Cs apply). Free day-to-day support from our Barclays Business Team by phone 24/7 and Mobile Banking, manage your account quickly and easily from a web-enabled phone. Apply online.

Women in business

Support and advice on running a business from home, juggling a start-up with kids and getting your business idea off the ground. Find out more or sign up today.