Budding entrepreneurs reviving Leicester and Corby communities
Baroness Hanham met women entrepreneurs from disadvantaged communities to see how government funding is supporting the local economy.
At the Leicester Business Women project, Baroness Hanham spoke with women who are benefiting from the funding. Through Skills for Enterprise they are receiving support such as coaching, mentoring, and training to enable them to go on to set up their own businesses.
The minister heard from business women involved in a variety of businesses, from dress design to health and beauty services. They included:
- Maggi Rowell, a former seamstress who received support and mentoring enabling her to set up ‘Fit for a Queen’, a firm offering bespoke dresses for all occasions
- Rebecca Harvey who has runs ‘Let Me Organise You’ a bespoke virtual support and administration service for small businesses
- Leah Golde who has built her own holistic health and beauty company, ‘Inside Out’
The minister went on to visit Corby Enterprise Centre, Corby, an environmentally friendly building which provides cost effective office space to new enterprises and business start-ups.
Baroness Hanham said:
“I am delighted to be able to meet women from Leicester and Corby who are a shining example of how learning new skills can open up life changing opportunities. I was impressed by their ideas, ambition and business acumen, and it’s encouraging to know that many more local people will benefit from government funding supporting these types of projects.
“Local communities and local businesses know what works best in their area and this funding will contribute to the regeneration of Leicester and Corby communities, enabling local businesses to realise their potential in some very innovative ways.”
(Photograph courtesy of East Midlands Development Agency).