YTKO has joined forces across a range of programmes, including GetSet for Growth, Outset, Enterprising Women and Building Growth, to provide a week of International Women’s Day inspired events to celebrate women in style! Whether it’s trying something new, taking time out for some much needed self-care, or simply just getting involved with the fun – there is something for everyone to enjoy throughout the week. Events are running all week and are free to attend! You can register your place for any of these events – for women by women.
We are also running our renowned Growth Accelerator programme for female led businesses. Our programme runs over three days (10.30 am – 2 pm) in April, and will explore different growth models and strategies, how to assess new opportunities to pivot your business, and show you how to gain competitive advantage. Click here to book onto our Growth Accelerator course.
YTKO, CEO and Female enterprise ambassador, Bev Hurley, CBE says: “On International Women’s Day 2021, we want to celebrate all female entrepreneurs, whether taking their first steps to start a new venture, or already leading and growing successful businesses.”
A report from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, 2019 reports that female led businesses, with employees, account for only 17% of all small businesses in the UK with the figure increasing slightly to 23% for businesses with no employees. However, women-led businesses in the UK generate 10 per cent more revenue, deliver double the return on investment for financial backers and are less likely to lead businesses that fail than their male counterparts.
However, recent research indicates that female-led, high-growth companies have been disproportionately impacted throughout the Covid pandemic. Women have often had to take on greater childcare or unpaid work burdens during lockdown, which will have impacted female entrepreneurs. However, despite this impact, more than 60% of female-founded, equity-backed businesses are now operating with minimal disruption to their business, showing that female-led businesses are fighting back.
Bev goes on to say, “Over half of our clients supported through YTKO programmes have been women, a track record we are extremely proud of. Through Enterprising Women alone, we have helped create hundreds of sustainable new jobs and businesses, trained thousands of established businesses and empowered their owners to thrive and grow. It is encouraging to see the resilience of women-led businesses through the pandemic, and it is right to celebrate their achievements during International Women’s Day”
Across all our YTKO programmes, we are proud to report that 51% of all our clients are female entrepreneurs. Through many of our programmes, YTKO supports women through new training workshops, face to face advice, mentoring and online learning, all developed specifically for women by women. Here are just some examples of feedback from our female clients:
“Brilliant session really helped me focus my thinking and working out the direction for my company. Bev was so knowledgeable and great facilitator”, says one of our Growth Accelerator Bootcamp clients.
“Whilst I gained a huge amount of business insight and knowledge, the two biggest things that I gained from participating in the support programme were the friendships that I have formed with the other women that I met. Also the positivity and enthusiasm towards my business that I have received from Outset and AWE, which boosted my confidence,” says Sophie Dialkova about her experience on the Accelerating Women’s Enterprise, (AWE) programme.
