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About Women Do Business
Women Do Business is an exciting and innovative programme designed to support both new and existing women-owned businesses, by providing a package of locally-delivered, women-friendly training and support
How Women Do Business started...
Women Do Business is run by The Community Council of Devon, who began their work in supporting women's enterprise in 2006, when they launched the WAM programme. This helped to establish some 20 women's business networks across Devon, providing business support and training to over 250 women. CCD gained the prestigious Prowess Flagship Award for this work, the first organisation in Devon to do so, in recognition of the quality of the support provided to women.
As WAM funding drew to a close, CCD begun development of an exciting new project, which was based on all the good practice that had already been developed, but with some great new additions. Drawing on work carried out in the USA to encourage more women to start up and be successful in business, The Women Do Business Programme includes a series of dedicated Women's Business Centres. These provide a range of training, networking and support services, both on-line and face-to-face, that women across the area can tap into. The first of these centres is already in place at The Watermark Centre in Ivybridge, and more are planned.
Women Do Business also helps to establish and support local business support networks that women can join within their own community. Each network is funded to deliver a programme of support especially tailored to the needs of their members.
Who is it for?
The Women Do Business programme has funding to support any woman in within the Devon County Council area, regardless of age or previous experience who either has her own business or would like to find out more about starting a business.
What can Women Do Business offer me now?
The range of activities and services available vary from area to area across the county and we are adding new services all the time. Once you have registered we will be able to ensure that you receive up-to-date information that is relevant for the area in which you live. There are a range of training courses and networking events coming up across the county which are available for booking now. You can book on line for events in your own area or contact us to see if places are still available for events in other areas - we may be able to offer you a spare place if it is available! You can network on line with other Devon businesswomen via our forum and catch up with the latest news via our blog. You can also find us on
- Flickr
What Else will be Available to me and my business?
Week by week news of new services and events will be posted on the site. Watch out for
- Our Gala Dinner in May
- open to all women who have started access WDB services, more info coming shortly - Women Do Business Business Awards
- for WDB members regardless of what stage you are at with your business (you will be able to apply on line soon, once you have registered) - Women Do Business Mentoring Programme
- launching in May - places will initially be limited so keep watching for news... - Action Learning
- starting in the Autumn for women who want to take their business to the next level, the chance to join a group of like-minded women who will help and inspire you to achieve your goals - New local networks and Women's Business Centres
- more are planned and will be coming on stream soon
... and lots more
Where does the funding come from?
Women Do Business is funded by the South Devon Coastal LAG and Greater Dartmoor LEAF, incorporating funding from the EU, Defra, SWRDA and Leader and by Devon County Council. It is also supported with funding from the Learning & Skills Council. This means that we are able to offer services to women who live and or run their business in all parts of Devon within the Devon County Council area. However, some services will vary according to which part of Devon you are based in.
What do I have to do to join Women Do Business?
You can join Women Do Business today by completing our on-line registration form. The information you give us when you register will be treated with complete confidentiality and will not be shared with any other parties without your prior knowledge or permission. Our system will check your postcode to ensure that we direct you straight to the relevant parts of the website that contain information about activities and events available in your own local area. We will then also send you a welcome email which will give you more information about your eligibility to access the range of Women Do Business activities.