>Women in Business

An effective and flexible women friendly service to help you maximise the assistance that is available from a wide range of organisations.

> A Firm Foundation

Before starting any business it is important that the necessary research is undertaken and that you make contact with the suppliers, distributors, customers and bankers needed to make your business a success. It is important to make time for networking and think of it as a valuable business resource that can give you access to all types of contacts and information.

We Can Help

We can help with information, advice and support to assist in researching your business, making contacts and securing any necessary training. You can choose between women-only training or programmes designed for male and female business owners. Our aim is to provide an effective and flexible service to clients, as well as helping to ensure that you make the most of all the assistance that is available from a wide range of organisations.

> Sources of Support

As well as accessing these formal sources of support it is important to secure the support of your family and friends. You can develop your network by re-establishing old contacts and making new ones. Many women find it invaluable to speak with other women who are either starting their own business or have already been through the process.

We Can Help

We can provide much of the support needed ranging from personal friendship, shared information and opportunities for business contacts in self-help groups. A mentor who has been through the business start-up process can offer great advice and help you learn from their mistakes, as well as introduce you to new contacts. So come and talk to BBV. We have helped thousands of people to start and develop their own businesses with a comprehensive range of free information and advice.

> Challenges

Without doubt the biggest challenge facing women business owners is finance - both to establish the business and then help it grow. On average women-owned firms start with one third the amount of capital used by men irrespective of the business sector. Think carefully about how to finance the establishment and then the development of your business. Remember if you don’t invest enough at the beginning this might restrict the long-term growth and development of your business.

We Can Help

If you have concerns about taking on finance come and talk to us. We will help you examine all the formal sources of finance that you may access and introduce you to a wide range of funding sources. And if you cannot raise all the money required we will lend you up to £30,000 from our own Loan Fund specifically designed for Women in Business in North Manchester - ask for separate leaflet for full details.

> Support You Can Rely On

We all strive to achieve work/life balances and this is of key importance as many more women become business owners.

We Can Help

We can give practical assistance with the provision of childcare facilities and ensure that no individuals or groups are discriminated against.

We want to support more and more women to become entrepreneurs and to have their distinctive contribution to the economy and the local community fully recognised.

We recognise that women face unique and very real challenges and that women owned businesses tend to grow at slower, steadier rates than those owned by men.

Because of these different development needs we can offer you a business adviser you can relate to and with whom you can build a good working relationship as your business grows and develops.

BBV is pround to be a flagship member of Prowess, a UK wide advocacy association that supports the growth of womens business ownership.

> Women's Business Quality Standard

The Women's Business Centre Quality Standard website is now live and provides details about the WBC quality standard. BBV is one of the organisations currently being assessed against this new international standard and you can read our case study at www.wbcinternational.org