Celebrating female entrepreneurship at Virgin StartUp

This week was Global Entrepreneur Week - the world’s largest campaign to promote entrepreneurship. Each year, it plays a critical role in encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs to consider starting up their own business.

As part of this campaign, on 19th November, 150 countries around the world celebrated Women’s Entrepreneurship day. Women own 37% of businesses globally, and are a major driver to the world economy. There’s a way to go yet before inequality will be a thing of the past – but as more and more women create businesses, there’s also a lot to celebrate!

On Wednesday Virgin Start Up celebrated entrepreneurial women in style at #VirginWow – an amazing event bringing together over a hundred female entrepreneurs, and an incredible line up of panellists and speakers that included child nutrition expert Annabel Karmel, the editor of Cosmopolitan Louise Court, founder of WAH Nails Sharmadean Reid, and CEO of Ann Summers Jacqueline Gold.

It was truly an inspirational day. Here are the key takeaways from the day on how to succeed as a woman in business.

“For me the opposite of success isn’t failure: it’s not trying,” says Annabel Karmel, explaining how it’s important for entrepreneurs to take risks – for if you’re not failing, it could mean you’re playing it too safe. Failure can be a positive – it can lead to a breakthrough, or spur you into trying many different approaches. Annabel’s first book was turned down by multiple publishers; despite this, it’s still a best-selling cookery book decades on.

“I started out as a 21 year old with no business experience, walking into a room full of suited men to pitch my idea of Ann Summers parties,” says Jacqueline Gold, CEO of Ann Summers. “One of them actually stood up and said it would never work. And now, 30 years later, we’re a leading global brand.”

“Having children shouldn’t be the full stop at the end of your CV – there are more opps for mumpreneurs than ever,” says Annabel, a proud mumpreneur herself. “To balance your work and life balance, you have to find your own guilt threshold and work around it.”

Mums make great entrepreneurs – they’re used to multi-tasking, coming up with solutions, and learning quickly. It’s no surprise then that more and more female business owners are mothers, creating innovative products and taking control with employment that works around the rest of their life – not the other way around.

One of the most reiterated messages of the day was the importance of telling your story. “Think about why you got here and how you got here – and what difference you want to make. Everyone has a story,” says Madeline McQueen.

Knowing your story gives you emotional impact and allows customers to feel connected to you; they see the real you behind the business, the person you are, and root for your cause. You’re not a faceless business – you’re a person like them with a dream, who’s determined to achieve it.

It’s important for gaining coverage and holding the attention of everyone from customers to press. “When great products and a charismatic personality come together it’s a perfect storm – that’s the dream brand to write about,” advises Louise Court of Cosmopolitan. “But even if you’re shy, you can still connect. Emotionally compelling stories grip people.”

“I’m a believer that the brand of your business is an extension of you – so create a brand that fits with what you believe in,” says Helen Cammack of Buyometrics. It’s important that you have a strong brand that your customers identify with and believe in.. It’s also vital that everyone else in the business lives these values. All global companies have strong brands that are identifiable, and that people care about.

Nikki Hesford of Made In Preston says “I know my typical customer well – it’s really important to know and understand who your buyers are.” By getting inside the head of her customers, respecting them and addressing their needs, she has built a loyal and positive audience – and this can be done by taking the time to connect with and profile her customers, creating a ‘model’ of the typical customer and bearing them in mind when making decisions. Go about your business with integrity, a commitment to your customers and a strong sense of pride in your values, and you’ll go far!

There will never be the ‘perfect’ time to start a business; life will always throw up commitments and obstacles. Sometimes you just need to take a deep break and make that first attempt towards it.

Funding is usually cited as an issue; however, Virgin StartUp mentor Robyn McGirl, CEO of Talent Puzzle, points out that “People think you need more money then you actually do to start a business – but startup capital is just to get you off the ground. It’s money to get you up and going – winning millions of pounds in investment just isn’t going to happen for everyone.”

Any excuse or delay is something from keeping you from at least attempting your dream – so make a step towards yours today, however small!

At Virgin Media we really believe in the power of the entrepreneurial spirit. That's why we founded Virgin Media Pioneers in 2010, which helps entrepreneurs get inspired, get connected and get ahead. Check out the Virgin Media Pioneers website to find out more.