Ladies Lunchtime Group Supports Women in Business
Business Support Area Manager Kathryn Burkhill discusses her regular ‘Ladies’ Lunchtime Group’ networking events.
What are your Ladies’ Lunch events?
“The Ladies’ Lunchtime Group is a very friendly and informal group of up to 90 women who meet every 2-3 months for a lunchtime meeting. The purpose of our group is to support and encourage women who are either running their own business or employed. Our meetings are free to attend and everyone is made very welcome."
Tell me how the formation of the group came about?
“The Ladies Lunchtime Group simply evolved from a coffee morning held in my office in Centec Business Centre in March 2008. I was asked if I would organise a business event with a theme. So our next meeting focused on the support available to women starting and running their own businesses.
“I continued to find inspirational women who were running their own business and who had a really good story to share. It wasn’t long before I had to look for a larger venue to accommodate our meetings! Our new home is now at The Isla Gladstone Conservatory which is an excellent venue and can accommodate our growing numbers.”
Tell me about some of your members?
“Our members range from sole traders to small and medium companies, including many types of businesses, charities and agencies. Thanks to our members encouraging their friends and business contacts to come along to the meetings, our group is continually growing . Some members have even sponsored our events. “
What about men? Are they welcome?
“Yes. We do have a growing number of business men who attend and find our meetings very interesting and useful, but the large majority of the members will always be women. “
What type of format do the events usually follow?
“Our meetings usually start at 11.45. Attendees are provided with a sandwich lunch. This is accompanied with a networking opportunity where members share ideas, best practice and sell the business they are in. This is then followed by our guest speakers. After our speakers there is then plenty of time to carry on networking and doing business till around 2.00pm.”
Why is it important that women receive additional support?
“Women are under-represented in business ownership in the UK. Research indicates that 27% of self-employed businesses in the UK are women (ONS Labour Force Survey) and less than 8% of high-growth businesses are owned by women.
"In the USA, they have invested significant resources and succeeded in increasing the numbers of women starting businesses. The whole economy benefited in terms of increased jobs and prosperity.
“Also a lot of women running their own business feel quite isolated, especially if initially they are working from home. Quite often they don’t realise that there are many other women who share the same challenges running a business. Our meetings bring these women together and they can then share and compare experiences and support one another.”
Tell me about some of the speakers you have had? How have these helped the businesses who attend?
“We have had many excellent speakers, mostly from women keen to share their experiences in business. For instance one member, Lisa Pover was sponsored to take part in the Round the World Yacht Race. This then resulted in Lisa and her sponsor establishing a trust to help local youngsters achieve some of their dreams.
“Another speaker, Elaine Stapleton runs her photography business and also visits Africa annually to teach local children photography.
“Two local girls who graduated from LJMU now run a really successful cosmetic vending company called Trendy Vend, and they shared their experiences.
“Our group has been inspired by our speakers who have shared their knowledge and acted as successful role models.”
What are your future plans for the network? What are the current issues affecting its members?
“The network membership has really taken off and we are always on the look-out for new members, as well as new and interesting speakers. Rather than have set plans and schedules long in advance the network tends to be more adaptive, reacting to its members latest needs and requests. For example there have been some enquiries already about the new North West Business fund that has just been announced today, so we will inform our members about that at our next meeting.”
The next Ladies Lunchtime Group is on Wednesday 30th June for further details follow the link or email Kathryn on kburkhill@liverpoolvision.co.uk
To view a selection of feedback that the Ladies Lunchtime Groups have received recently download the pdf below.
[Image: Kathryn Burkhill welcomes Ladies Lunchtime Group attendees]
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The Capital, 39 Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9PP Telephone: +44(0)151 600 2900
Email: info@liverpoolvision.co.uk