THE Opening Doors' project, delivered by Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE), has been running throughout Hereford-shire for nearly two years.
In that time, thanks to the workshops, training, support and information that the programme offers, nearly 35 women in Hereford alone have started their own business.
"The project was set up to equip women with all the tools they might need to become self-employed," says Christine Rutherford, the project officer for Herefordshire.
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"The three core' business start-up sessions are complemented by a series of skills workshops, covering subjects such as tax, PR and websites, which participants can choose from to fill any gaps in their knowledge."
Funded by Advantage West Midlands and the European Social Fund. Opening Doors' has been completely free to any woman with a business idea or to those women who have been trading for less than twelve months.
One of the key parts of the programme is the mentoring that Christine has offered to each participant. "I meet with the person as and when required," she says. "We can talk through problems and ideas, look at the business plan and together work out how to move forward."
Christine is thrilled by the number of women that have been touched by the programme and also by the variety of businesses that have been started.
"We've had a theatre group initiative, a local food supply business, an IT consultancy and a floristry business. And those are just a few of the many ventures that have been started."
WiRE will be celebrating the success of their products throughout the UK at their annual conference. WiFi & Wellies' on Tuesday, March 18, at Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire.
Any businesswoman or aspiring female entrepreneur is invited to attend.
The cost is £40 (+VAT) for members and £60 (+VAT) for non-members. Tickets can be booked online at www.wireuk. org or by calling WiRE on 01952 815338.
Christine Rutherford can be contacted on 01952 815319.
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