'HER BUSINESS' PROJECT LAUNCHED
(20 February 2004)

The Her Business project was launched on 20 February, with over 300 budding female entrepreneurs attending the launch event in East London. The EU funded project is offering a child-friendly networking environment, inspirational business speakers, essential skills workshops and opportunities to speak to a business advisor. Up to 120 women in selected London areas will join the project and receive every entrepreneur's dream, free business support.

The Her Business project aims to:

* Increase business start up amongst women especially ethnic minority entrepreneurs

* Help sustain business development and growth

* Prevent business failure

* Increase annual turnover (to £2.4 million accumulative over the three years)

* Create 125 gross new jobs

Registration is now open, and those joining will benefit from an innovative business and life changing package, including:

* A Business Advisor - to help with advice on running the business, for example a feasibility assessment for a business idea, or the steps to finding finance

* A Personal Business Coach - supporting the new entrepreneurs in identifying and breaking through any barriers to their success

* Regular Networking Events - providing opportunities to find new contacts and customers, develop business skills, and build a support network

* Support and Guidance from Like-minded Women - connecting with others on the project who are experiencing similar challenges, changes and successes

* Specialised Training - direction to the right training courses, ensuring lack of knowledge or enterprise skills don't stand in the way of business success.

* Website Advertising - marketing exposure in the form of free online space in the Her Business marketplace.

The beneficiaries will all be London-based and have either set up a business in the last 18 months, or be planning to start up soon.

Areas covered by the project include the following objective 2 London Boroughs:

• Barking
• Bexley
• Brent
• Ealing
• Enfield
• Greenwich
• Hackney
• Hammersmith and Fulham
• Haringey
• Havering
• Newham
• Tower Hamlets
• Waltham Forest

To carry out an individual postcode check, interested parties can go to Government Office for London web site at: www.go-london.gov.uk or contact Her Business on 0845 650 4244 www.herbusiness.net