Download the itinerary: wise itinerary_v4.pdf
If you're a WISE woman (woman in Sandwell enterprise) - or a wise man who wants to work with more WISE women - then don't miss our huge free networking event at the Midlands' newest venue The Public on Monday 21 September.
This inspiring full-day event, opened by the Mayoress of Sandwell, Mrs Beryl Lewis, will offer practical and motivational support to women with existing businesses in Sandwell, and those thinking of starting up. Read about our aims for the day.
Here is just a taste of what you can expect at the event. You can click through on the links to find out more:
Speakers and seminar presenters (in alphabetical order)
* Jackie Ashworth, of Success Train Ltd, who will talk about having the courage to develop your ideas, vision and commitment to make the dream reality and achieve your goals.
* Gillian Bestwick, Senior Business Manager at the Royal Bank of Scotland, who will talk about start-up grants and enterprise finance guarantee (EFG) funding
* Jo Cameron, founder of Women on their Way (WOW) and former star of the BBC's The Apprentice, who will talk about "How to Succeed as a Woman in Business"
* Sue Cartwright from SWEDA (Sandwell Women's Enterprise Development Agency) who will talk about how you can utilise online social networking sites for your business
* Marverine Cole, Sky News presenter, who is our fabulous host for the day
* Melanie Dudley, director of Transformation in Sandwell, who will give an inspirational talk to the young entrepreneurs attending and share her experiences of working with local schools
* Allison Fraser, Chief Executive of Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, who will open the day's proceedings and tell you all about the Sandwell Offer
* Jenny Long of IceBlue Marketing & Design, who will talk to you about marketing and how to get the best out of your business online
* Sammy Rose of Sammy Rose Management Services, who will give tips on presentation skills and marketing your business
setupinsandwell
This area of The Public will be filled with people who can help you turn your idea into a fully fledged business - or give you support and advice in growing your existing enterprise.
Here is a short film about our WISE women:
Within setupinsandwell will be:
The Money Box- helping you get access to funding and support with managing your finances:
Mentors' Corner- offering guidance in starting or growing your venture:
The Springboard- helping you market and promote your business effectively:
* Good As Gold Writing Services (Copywriting Clinic - bring your brochures, leaflets, website text or business plan along and get valuable feedback and suggestions from a professional copywriter)
* IceBlue Marketing & Design
* Sammy Rose Management Services
* Success Train Ltd
In The Marketplace exhibition area, you'll be able to network with a host of fantastic local businesses, all of which offer a product or service that could be useful to you. Here's who has signed up. Stands are now fully booked, with all proceeds going to Sandwell Women's Aid.
stressfreesandwell
Running your own business is rewarding but tough, so we've lined up some wonderful people to help you pamper yourself and maintain that all-important work/life balance:
* Midlands Workplace Wellbeing
* Sandwell Primary Care Trust
Other brilliant stuff happening at WISE
* There will be a charity raffle on the day, with the proceeds also going to Sandwell Women's Aid. Prizes so far include a mini camcorder - and we're looking for more prize donations! If you'd like to donate something to a good cause (and get a little publicity for your business at the same time), please email julie_dixon@sandwell.gov.uk.
* There will be a chance for new entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges. The person with the best business plan of the day will secure themselves an amazing prize: 12 months' free, fully functional office accommodation, courtesy of Managed Workspace. Email stephen_massey@sandwell.gov.uk for more information.
* So we can engage with budding young female entrepreneurs from Sandwell schools, we are teaming up with the Sandwell EBP (Education Business Partnership) to compile a survey - 'What women want' - for teams of students to carry out at the event.
Students from participating schools will use their survey results to deliver reports and presentations to the finditinsandwell team in October. The winners will each be rewarded with a mini camcorder.
* The finditinsandwell Netbus will be parked outside, equipped with Wi-Fi-enabled workstations and with staff on hand to show you how to make the most of finditinsandwell.
Don't miss out on this amazing day for Sandwell. Find out more about times and the location by logging in (registration is free!) and taking a look at our event listing.