Women, business success and entrepreneurs by Karen Gill and Maxine Benson of everywoman on 14-Oct-2011

W omen in the Boardroom are in the forefront of current discussions and, against this backdrop, Maria Kempinska MBE, the founder of Jongleurs comedy clubs, will be the keynote speaker at the 11th annual national conference of everywoman, the UK’s largest community of women in business.

everywoman’s ethos is to challenge and change the mindsets of business to increase the number and raise the status of women in the economic community and Maria’s career reflects challenge and change. As one of five children, the offspring of Polish refugees, Maria spent her childhood in a council estate in Watford. She has gone on to give many household names such as Harry Enfield and Eddie Izzard their big break as well as create one of the UK’s most successful chains of comedy clubs.

everywoman has also partnered with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) on its campaign to champion 'Real-Life Entrepreneurs'. The campaign aims to put in place measures to tackle the everyday challenges entrepreneurs face and to showcase real-life entrepreneurs across all sections of society. everywoman has joined the campaign particularly to encourage more women to set-up businesses.

everywoman and the FSB believe that the Government should put in place a target to accelerate the number of women running businesses by 100,000 over the next 10 years. In the UK, 150,000 start-ups would be created per year if women started businesses at the same rate as men.

Emma Elston runs UK Container Maintenance Limited and is one of the 2010 NatWest everywoman Award winners, as well as one of this campaign’s Real-Life Entrepreneurs. Emma says, "When I was at school the thought of running my own business had never occurred to me and I didn’t know many women that were entrepreneurs. That’s why I think it’s so important that female role models actually go into schools to mentor young women. I’m proud to be doing just that as one of everywoman’s Modern Muses."

The FSB’s campaign provides solutions to some of the biggest challenges enterprises face, including finance, cash-flow, tax and regulation and also looks at the diverse and specific needs of other groups in society with untapped entrepreneurial spirit. As well as a focus on encouraging more women, the campaign also spotlights, young people, the over-50s, those with disabilities, ex-armed forces personnel and those who are currently living on benefits.

Maxine Benson, co-founder of everywoman comments, "The Real-Life Entrepreneurs campaign is a force for good in overcoming barriers to setting-up a business. We know through work with our members, challenging and changing mindsets is the key to supporting women to achieve in business. By addressing the business issues and providing real-life role-models, the campaign is balancing the practical and inspirational."

"We are really pleased to be working with everywoman in our Real-Life Entrepreneurs campaign," says John Walker, Chairman of FSB. "The Government wants to see the private sector pick up the slack from public sector job losses and with a large number of female employees working in the sector as well as large numbers of women already unemployed it is really important that setting up their own business is seen as an option."

"The everywoman conference is an opportunity for ambitious business women to come together to learn and network," says Karen Gill MBE, co-founder of everywoman. "Maria Kempinska acts an inspiration for all women seeking to be the best that they can be in business."

"The theme of our conference this year is 'The Art of Business Success' and attendees will experience a high-energy day packed full of inspiring speeches and masterclasses based upon the theme of 'performing at your best'. This event is the largest conference for women in business and attracts over 300 attendees, offering fantastic networking," concludes Karen.

The everywoman annual conference takes place at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London on 1 November 2011.

The interactive panel ‘Play to Your Strengths to Stand Out from the Crowd' discussion features Emma Elston, Director of UK Container Maintenance Ltd, Trish Halpin, Editor in Chief of Marie Claire, Anita Lowe, Chief Executive of Venues Event Management and Vanita Parti, founder of Blink Brow Bar, who’ll all discuss how important it is to stand out when you’re operating in a crowded market.

There will also be masterclasses in creating the perfect pitch, understanding the digital consumer, using social media, and managing risks to push past personal boundaries.

The day ends on a high with a motivational speech by Annie Ashdown founder of The Self Confidence Centre. Annie will be speaking on the importance of performing with competence and conveying self-confidence for business success. Annie is passionate about supporting women and during her speech attendees will learn how to inject authenticity, integrity and spirit into business.

For more information, and to book a place on the conference, visit: www.everywoman.com/national.

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