general background

Why we started

We started Women Into the Network in North East England in 1999, when our research showed that only one in five businesses in the North East were being run by women. Even more surprising was that less than one in ten women were making use of the regions 700 business networks. As a result, enterprising women were missing out on opportunities to start up and develop businesses. They rarely entered business awards and those who did, and won, were called Businessman of the Year!

What we know

Research has repeatedly demonstrated the problems which women entrepreneurs experience in the marketplace, including juggling family and business commitments, lack of support, low self-esteem, negative attitudes from agencies and not being taken seriously by business contacts.

Despite this, after five years, the North East showed one of the greatest increases in women starting businesses in the UK. That's largely thanks to initiatives like WIN according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. The latest report states that female entrepreneurship is some 47% the level of male entrepreneurship in the UK. The North East has the best male-to-female entrepreneurship ratio in the UK at 61%.

Today, there are close to one million women-owned businesses in the UK (26% of all firms & generating between £50 and £70 billion for the UK economy). This figure is growing all the time - but there is still a lot to do. There is huge potential to increase this percentage but only if the range of factors conspiring against women entrepreneurs is acknowledged and overcome

Even now women entrepreneurs can still face discrimination and come across real barriers in setting up their own businesses. For example, many women report discriminatory attitudes when trying to access finance, events that are impossible for them to attend because of caring or domestic responsibilities, and even experiencing sexist attitudes of speakers, suppliers or clients.

What we do

WIN uses networking, to breakdown the barriers, which stand in the way of women's success in business; factors such as lack of confidence, opportunities, advice and support. Once women develop confidence and begin to believe in themselves as business people, they realise exactly what they are able to achieve.

We offer a whole range of services, including the online directory, networking events & training workshops, offer inspirational role models and provide regular newsletters and publications. Individually each area provides distinct benefits to members in terms of gaining knowledge, skills and contacts specific to their needs. Our members can dip in and out for the information they need, meet like-minded people, ask each other for support and turn to our experts for advice. We are driven by our members and are dedicated to providing a service that reflects their needs.

We work with a number of partners and actively educate the business support and service sector on how to develop more effective relationships with enterprising women. By working closely with such a wide range of people we avoid re-inventing the wheel and our members get the best possible support.

The vision of WIN is of a progressive and open network where women can learn how to get ahead and pursue their ambitions in an open and supportive environment.

Where we are going

As well as continuing with our wide range of services, events and projects in the region, WIN are forming links and strengthening partnerships elsewhere.

WIN are spinning out to other areas of the UK including Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cambridgeshire, in partnership with the Rural Women's Network, and to four different countries.

It's a WIN WIN situation all round!

Go to our "WIN Partnerships" link for more information on our partners and their contact details.