New initiative is the business

Sep 2 2007 By Paul Bradley, Birmingham Mail

WOMEN in Worcestershire are being given a helping hand to set up their own companies.

In a series of new workshops women of all ages from across the region will be given tips on what they need to know to be successful business-women.

Websites, marketing and confidence building lectures will follow a set of taster sessions that will introduce women to the business world in a new project run by business group 'Women in rural enterprise'.

Helen Allen, project officer for the region, said: "I'd like to encourage any woman who's stuck in a rut and needs a change to come along. Perhaps your children have just gone off to school or university and you're feeling that you would now like to do something for yourself.

"Many women don't have the confidence to set up their own business but we hope to inspire them and show them that they can."

Workshops take place across the county from September 5 with expert speakers sharing knowledge.

Mum, Karen Tomalin, 41, of Bromsgrove who set up her own lingerie company in May, said: "My aim was always to provide a high level of customer service as I strongly believe that the customer is central to any business.

"There is something for everyone who is starting in business at these useful workshops and I would thor-oughly recommend the programme to anyone."